What should I do if there are red marks on my face from wearing a mask? What should I do if there are red marks on my face from wearing a mask that don't disappear for a long time?

We all know that masks are a common type of protective equipment. They can filter viruses and bacteria in the air and prevent respiratory infections with the new coronavirus. Many people wear masks frequently. After wearing a mask for a long time, you will find marks on your face. So what should you do if there are red marks on your face from wearing a mask? Let's take a closer look!

What to do if there are red marks on your face when wearing a mask

1. If there is only a slight indentation, generally no treatment is required; if the indentation is already quite severe, or local congestion or subcutaneous bleeding occurs, you can choose some topical ointments that can improve skin blood circulation.

2. If the skin problem worsens further and redness, swelling and ulceration occur, you can add topical antibiotic ointment. You can also use Band-Aids or certain dressings on the damaged area to prevent further irritation of the wound.

3. If the skin becomes soft, wrinkled, or tight, it is mainly caused by local moisture. Before wearing a mask, you can use a moisturizer containing zinc oxide or vaseline to keep the skin dry and reduce local friction.

4. If the injury becomes more serious, or serious infection or allergy occurs, you must go to the hospital for professional help.

How to wear a mask without leaving marks

1. Choose a mask with appropriate specifications

① Wide-brimmed masks: The wider the brim, the greater the skin stress area, reducing the local unit stress. Compared with cup-shaped masks, flat masks have less pressure. However, in special environments, such as medical staff in quarantine areas, they need to wear them selectively according to protection requirements.

② Non-ear-hook masks, such as strap-type masks, can reduce friction and pressure on the skin behind the ears.

③ For those who are prone to allergies, they should check the mask instructions before wearing it, understand the mask material, avoid allergic ingredients, and avoid using counterfeit and inferior products.

④ Children need to be assisted by adults in choosing the size of masks. Before wearing, you can apply skin care moisturizer on the child’s face to reduce the irritation of the mask’s edge friction on the child’s thin skin.

2. Use masks appropriately

① Take a rest regularly. It is best to take off the mask every 2-3 hours or change the position of the mask appropriately to reduce local decompression and reduce the occurrence of facial pressure injuries.

② Most medical masks are made of disposable materials and need to be replaced after repeated use or after being worn for more than 6 hours. If replacement is unavailable, it is recommended to place a thin, woven mask on the inside of the mask that fits the face. This will enhance the air filtering effect and reduce direct skin contact with the contaminated mask.

3. Use preventive dressings

Foam dressings, transparent film dressings, and hydrocolloid dressings can all be used to prevent pressure injuries. Selective use of the above excipients on the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, and behind the ears can cushion pressure, buffer, and protect the skin from shear, friction, and moisture. Recommended method: Before wearing a mask, clean the local skin first, then cut the dressing into a suitable size according to the facial contour and apply it. When removing the hydrocolloid dressing after use, be careful not to forcibly tear it vertically. Press one end of the dressing with one hand, pinch the opposite side with the other hand, and remove it horizontally with force.

4. Check and evaluate your skin regularly

Evaluate at least twice a day. If redness, swelling or damage is found, adequate rest and appropriate treatment should be given. Keep the local skin clean and moisturized as much as possible, and avoid repeated irritation and squeezing of damaged skin.

Why wearing a mask is a trigger

1. Pressure

You may wonder where the pressure comes from for such a thin mask? Let's take a look at the types of masks. Masks can be divided into flat, cup-shaped or folding shapes according to the shape of the mask, and can be divided into ear-hanging, strap-type or headband-type according to the wearing method. The current N95 masks are often cup-shaped or folding, with a certain hardness. Long-term use will cause local continuous pressure ischemia and skin damage, especially in areas with thin skin such as the bridge of the nose, cheekbones and ears. Ordinary people are less likely to suffer skin damage because they wear masks for a short time, but for medical staff, station staff and other people who need to wear masks for a long time, long-term pressure on local skin can easily cause skin pressure damage. Relatively speaking, the impact of flat masks in this regard is much smaller.

2. Humidity

People who wear masks for a long time will create a humid environment between the face and the mask due to breathing, which will reduce the local skin barrier function and further reduce the tolerance to pressure, shear force and friction, aggravating the damage.

3. Shear force and friction

The subcutaneous tissue of the nose bridge, cheekbones and ears is not abundant, and they are easily affected by the "shear force" of the edges when wearing and removing masks. The elastic straps on both sides of the ear-hook masks often rub and compress the facial and ear skin repeatedly when the wearer speaks and moves, further causing local damage. In order to achieve better sealing and protection effects, the edge of the mask must fit as closely as possible to the face, and the fixing force is relatively large when worn, which is also a factor causing friction damage.

4. Inappropriate size

If the mask is of inappropriate size, it will not only affect the isolation and sealing effect, but also increase the risk of damage such as pressure and shear force due to being too tight or too loose.

What happens if you wear a mask for a long time?

Wearing a mask for a long time may cause bacteria to grow, or the mask may be contaminated with bacteria due to improper disinfection and storage. Repeated friction of the mask on the face may cause the skin to be contaminated with mites, resulting in acne, blackheads, and rough skin.

Wearing a mask for a long time can cause mild hypoxia and increase people's breathing difficulties. In addition, wearing a mask for a long time can also reduce the body's resistance and make it easier to catch a cold. In addition, improper disinfection or storage of masks can easily cause bacteria to be contaminated, affecting people's health.

So don’t wear a mask for a long time. In addition, we must choose a mask that suits us and wear it correctly.