BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)outbreak has presented unique dermatologic challenges due to respiratory protective equipment (RPE)-related skin conditions. OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the effects of RPEincluding medical masks and respiratorson the skin barrier by measuring various physiological properties of the skin. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed. Twenty healthy health care workerswere included in this study. Skin parameters including skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, sebum secretion, pH, and skin temperature were measured in the RPE-covered and uncovered areas of the face 4 and 8 h after wearing RPE and 14 hafter not wearing RPE. RESULTS: Skin hydration, TEWL, erythema, pH, and skin temperature increased in the RPE-covered areasafter wearing RPE for 4 and 8h. On the other hand, in the RPE-uncovered areas, skin hydration decreased and TEWL, erythema, and pH showed minimal changes over time. Based on the repeated-measure analysis, the changes in skin physiological properties over time were significantly different between RPE-covered and RPE-uncovered areas. CONCLUSION: We observed that skin physiological characteristics change with the prolonged use ofRPEsuch as medical masks and respirators.These changes may lead to various adverse skin reactions after long term use. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)outbreak has presented unique dermatologic challenges due to respiratory protective equipment (RPE)-related skin conditions. OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the effects of RPEincluding medical masks and respiratorson the skin barrier by measuring various physiological properties of the skin. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed. Twenty healthy health care workerswere included in this study. Skin parameters including skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, sebum secretion, pH, and skin temperature were measured in the RPE-covered and uncovered areas of the face 4 and 8 h after wearing RPE and 14 hafter not wearing RPE. RESULTS: Skin hydration, TEWL, erythema, pH, and skin temperature increased in the RPE-covered areasafter wearing RPE for 4 and 8h. On the other hand, in the RPE-uncovered areas, skin hydration decreased and TEWL, erythema, and pH showed minimal changes over time. Based on the repeated-measure analysis, the changes in skin physiological properties over time were significantly different between RPE-covered and RPE-uncovered areas. CONCLUSION: We observed that skin physiological characteristics change with the prolonged use ofRPEsuch as medical masks and respirators.These changes may lead to various adverse skin reactions after long term use. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Authors: Nils Hamnerius; Ann Pontén; Ola Bergendorff; Magnus Bruze; Jonas Björk; Cecilia Svedman Journal: Acta Derm Venereol Date: 2021-09-08 Impact factor: 3.875
Authors: Silvia Caggiari; Dan L Bader; Finn Foxell; Nicholas Pipe; Seana Couch; Abbie Turner; Peter R Worsley Journal: Med Devices (Auckl) Date: 2022-07-26