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COVID on the skin

Dr. Barbara Franz explains what you can do to protect your skin!

In fact, there is already a clear link between wearing masks and COVID on our skin!

Wearing MNS primarily covers the entire lower half of the face – a “moist chamber” forms there as a result of exhalation : a situation that our facial skin is not designed for.

Moist air normally evaporates when we breathe or speak – but the mask situation creates an environment that is too moist for our facial skin, which attracts germs of all kinds.

Perioral dermatitis occurs more frequently around the mouth and nose, especially on fair, sensitive skin, as the natural bacterial colonization (“barrier function of the skin”) is severely disrupted and the “good” local bacteria are replaced by “bad” germs.

The result: tiny scaly redness around the nose and mouth, sometimes even small purulent nodules.

The increased level of moisture in the lower half of the face also favors the development of fungal infections around the nose and mouth: Fungi generally love a moist, warm climate on the body – and unfortunately we create just such a microclimate under the mask.

A fungal infection can be recognized by reddish, itchy corners of the mouth with crust formation, but also small reddish foci in the area of the nasal entrance, often associated with slight scaling.

Unpleasantly, acne also intensifies, particularly in the lower cheek area, and deep reddish lumps can often be seen under the skin, but superficial white – i.e. purulent – spots also become visible.

It is worth changing your mask every day and washing fabric masks regularly at 60 degrees to kill germs safely!

A visit to the dermatologist is advisable in order to carry out a precise differential diagnosis and start the right therapy quickly.