Mask-Acne Prevalence and Risk Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Single Institution Study

Abstract

Mask usage in healthcare workers became a requirement in all hospitals after the COVID-19 pandemic. Dermatologists have increasingly been diagnosing facial skin reactions that were attributed to or exacerbated by increased mask usage. “Mask-acne,” which is defined as a new onset or exacerbation of acne localized to the facial area under the mask, has been increasingly reported in the general population and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence, severity, and risk factors contributing to mask-acne development among healthcare workers at a tertiary care center. The study was carried out via a web-based questionnaire. We evaluated healthcare workers’ demographics, mask behaviors, confounding factors, and prevalence of mask-acne. The total number of responders was 201, most responders were physicians (62.7%), and the surgical mask was the most used type of mask (62.1%). Results showed that 40.2% of healthcare workers developed mask-acne with 62.9% of them having new onset mask-acne and 37.1% having an exacerbation of preexisting acne. Age <30 years, female gender, and prolonged mask usage >8 hours were significantly associated with mask-acne development. The study highlights the prevalence of mask-acne among HCWs and risk factors that contribute to its development in the hospital setting.