Facial topical cream promotes facemask tolerability and compliance during COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES: Facemask use is essential for managing the COVID-19 pandemic, but may cause facial dermopathy. Topical creams may minimise facemask complications. This clinical study explores the impact of different topical creams on facemask tolerability and complications. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study involving 80 adults. Participants voluntarily chose and used topical creams during facemask use. Data were collected using validated scales before and after topical cream application. RESULTS: About 23.8% of the participants used lidocaine gel, 17.5% used petrolatum, 16.2% used hydrocortisone cream, 16.2% used diphenhydramine cream, 13.8% used arnica cream, and 12.5% used zinc oxide cream. Duration of facemask use was 6 h amongst staff and 4 h amongst patients, and was similar both with and without topical cream. Facial temperature rise was lower with all creams (p = 0.033), as was facial redness (p = 0.037) and facial pain (p = 0.025). Facemask compliance was better for all creams (p = 0.015). The facial temperature rise was the lowest with topical lidocaine (p = 0.021). Early facial redness was lowest with topical hydrocortisone or diphenhydramine (p = 0.042). Severe redness was lowest with topical hydrocortisone or zinc oxide (p = 0.044). Facemask pain was lowest with topical lidocaine (p = 0.035), and facemask compliance was best with topical lidocaine (p = 0.001). Petrolatum had the best user satisfaction and odour ratings (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Topical creams minimise facemask complications, thereby promoting compliance; topical lidocaine was the most effective in reducing pain and enabling facemask compliance. Topical hydrocortisone, diphenhydramine, and zinc oxide were effective in reducing facial redness, and topical petrolatum produced the best user satisfaction.