The Effect of Wearing Facial Masks on Skin Parameters During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The global coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) has led to an increased need to wear protective equipment such as wearing face masks and practicing hygiene measures such as more frequent use of antiseptics. These measures can lead to changes in the skin, the development of new inflammatory skin diseases or exacerbation of existing ones, with health professionals especially under the risk of developing these changes. Changes in facial skin due to wearing masks have been observed in a number of studies, however, part of the study was based solely on subjects' self-assessment or clinical assessment, and only a small part on objective measurements of skin parameters. Also, the impact of prolonged masks' use have not been investigated. The aim of these study was to investigate the effects of constant, long-term use of protective masks on facial skin.

Official Title
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The Effect of Wearing Facial Masks on Skin Parameters During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Conditions
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Skin Condition, Skin Inflammation, Facial Skin Changes

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Protective facial mask


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: young, healthy volunteers who gave written informed consent - students of health related professions who wear facial mask for at least six hours a day durnig their internship/practice in health care institutions Exclusion Criteria: skin disease, skin damage on measurement sites use of corticosteroids, antihistamines and immunomodulators a month prior the inclusion and during the trial use of emollients three days prior the inclusion in the trial non-adherence to the trial protocol exposure to artificial and excessive natural UV radiation pregnancy and lactation skin cancer immunosuppression

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Protective facial mask|Participants, students of health related professions, who wear protective facial mask daily during their internship/practice in health institutions.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Transepidermal water loss change | Tewameter will be used to assess skin barrier function as a measurement of the water loss (g/hm2). | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | 
| Stratum corneum hydration change | Corneometer will be used to estimate skin dryness. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | 
| Skin erythema change | Mexameter will be used to assess erythema. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | 
| Melanin content change | Mexameter will be used to assess skin melanin content. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | 
| Participants' reported facial skin changes | Structured interview to determine if participants developed adverse events related to mask wearing (such as dryness, erythema, rash, scaling, pruritus, pain/burning, changes in texture or colour, ulcers etc.) between two measurement time-points. | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | 
| Sebum level changes | Sebumeter will be used to assess sebum levels. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks |