Could Wearing Face Mask Have Affected Demodex Parasite
Condition: Pandemic, COVID-19; Demodex Infestation
MeSH terms: COVID-19
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study aimed to examine whether wearing masks by healthy individuals during the Covid-19
      pandemic created an environment for Demodex mites, by comparing it with the control group. In
      order to detect the presence of Demodex mites, standard superficial skin biopsy (SSSB) was
      applied to the face
    

Detailed description: 
      The study was carried out on March 15.2021 and the data collection was completed within 6
      months. For the randomization of the participants, they were first stratified according to
      age and then the participants were selected according to the simple randomization table and
      included in the study.The sample of the study was calculated to be at least 48 people for
      each group, with the power of the test being approximately 80,151%. Ethics committee approval
      of the study was obtained from the clinical research ethics committee of Katip Çelebi
      University with no: 27 on 11.03.2021. A total of 144 people who met the inclusion criteria,
      48 individuals for each group, were included in the study. The study was conducted in
      accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Participants were included in
      the study after signing the informed consent form. The exclusion criteria included having
      dermatosis (acne, acne rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis) and/or other dermatological diseases
      associated with the presence of Demodex mites, receiving or having been receiving treatment
      for Demodex-associated dermatosis (topical and/or systemic), using face wash gel and/or
      cologne, which prevents the life of Demodex mites, cosmetic cream with pore-clogging feature,
      applying disinfectant; being obese (BMI> 30), consuming regular alcohol use, and taking oral
      therapy that suppresses the immune system, or using creams with immunological effects when
      applied topically on the face as well as developing any skin complaints with wearing masks,
      Individuals who wore N95/FFP2 masks during the whole working hours, and only took off it for
      less than 1 hour; (ıı) those who wore a 3-ply surgical mask during all working hours, only
      took it off for less than 1 hour and (ııı) people who wore a 3-ply surgical mask for less
      than 3 days a week, less than 2 hours a day and spending time mostly at home during the day
      or plus those who worked alone all day in their rooms and who wear a 3-ply surgical mask for
      less than 1 hour during the day as required. The third group represented the control group
      (the control group was comprised of individuals who presented to the hospital during the
      study period, since there was no one without mask during the day). Participants were included
      in the study after signing the informed consent form. The sociodemographic characteristics,
      including age, gender and occupation; cigarette use, alcohol use, the past medical history,
      face washing habits (only water, water and soap, non-specific face wash product) and
      dermatological examination, whether the skin is oily or dry-normal, and Fitzpatrick skin
      typing were determined. In order to detect the presence of Demodex mites, standard
      superficial skin biopsy (SSSB) was applied to the face that was wiped with dry sterile gauze
      after dropping cyanoacrylate by marking 1 cm2 area on the slide that was wiped with dry
      sterile gauze from 3 areas of the face, right cheek, nose and the mid-forehead. After the
      slide was left for 60 seconds and slowly removed from the face, immersion oil was dripped
      onto the slide and covered with a coverslip, and Demodex mites were counted first under the
      light microscope at x10 and then x20 magnification (Demodex foliculorum and brevis were not
      differentiated). The process was repeated for each region. The presence of Demodex mites in
      each region and its number, if any, were written on the inquiry form.
    

Intervention name(s): standard superficial skin biopsy (SSSB)
Intervention type(s): Diagnostic Test
Intervention description(s): standard superficial skin biopsy (SSSB) was applied to the face that was wiped with dry sterile gauze after dropping cyanoacrylate by marking 1 cm2 area on the slide that was wiped with dry sterile gauze from 3 areas of the face, right cheek, nose and the mid-forehead. After the slide was left for 60 seconds and slowly removed from the face, immersion oil was dripped onto the slide and covered with a coverslip, and Demodex mites were counted first under the light microscope at x10 and then x20 magnification (Demodex foliculorum and brevis were not differentiated). The process was repeated for each region.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Individuals (ı) who wore N95/FFP2 masks during the whole working hours, and only took off it for less than 1 hour; (ıı) those who wore a 3-ply surgical mask during all working hours, only took it off for less than 1 hour and (ııı) people who wore a 3-ply surgical mask for less than 3 days a week, less than 2 hours a day and spending time mostly at home during the day or plus those who worked alone all day in their rooms and who wear a 3-ply surgical mask for less than 1 hour during the day as required.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Screening
Keywords: Covid-19; demodex; mask