Mask-Induced Facial Dermatoses in the Saudi Arabian Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) emerged in 2019 and was responsible for noteworthy morbidity and death throughout the world. Due to preventive measures, various adverse reactions to the skin occurred which were associated with prolonged use of wearing a face mask. Objectives The study aimed to determine the incidence and assess the clinical features of mask-induced dermatoses. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving both healthcare and non-healthcare individuals in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was designed that included mask-related problems, preexisting skin conditions, frequency and duration of use of face masks, type of face mask, and demographic information. Further information on their clinical symptoms was collected. Results This study included 2326 participants. Participants who refused to participate in the study and did not wear masks (232) were excluded from the study. Redness, itchiness, and acne were the most reported symptoms. 37.8% of the total wore the mask daily with 58.2% using their face mask for more than two hours per day. 44.4% of the participants had mask-induced dermatosis. Almost half of the participants (46.8%) had the cheek as the most affected area. Contact dermatitis was significantly less in non-healthcare workers as compared to healthcare workers (p<0.001). Similarly, conditions like nonspecific erythema (p=0.004) and rosacea (p=0.027) were also significantly less in non-healthcare workers as compared to healthcare workers. Conclusion There was a strong relationship between the frequency of mask use and facial dermatosis during the pandemic. The prevalence or pattern of mask-induced facial dermatoses was not significantly different between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. However, contact dermatitis and nonspecific erythema were significantly more common in healthcare workers.