Skin trouble on rise as face masks become essential

Maybe the dermatologist should also remind people that masks aren’t mandatory 24/7. They can be removed outdoors, when running, biking and driving if there is no one around

I see people driving around wearing a mask. Meaningless. They are worn too much.

I’m no specialist but acne isn’t life threatening as far as I’ve read.

Put a mask on. Stop acting like spoiled children.

30-50% of recovered patients have continued neurological, breathing and cognitive months after "recovering." We do not know the full long-term effects because it's only been around for 7 months or so.

Stop downplaying the importance of masks.

＠AgentX

Just wondering if we are getting the full story, in context, here...

She caught Covid from her job, was ill for several weeks, got better but still has not regained full lung function months later.

No she has no pre-existing conditions, no she is not a smoker, no she is not overweight.

I said what I said. Stop trying to find lies and conspiracies in everything.

In general, it's very frustrating that people in the West are making wearing a mask a dogma and, here in Asia, they are making it a social harassement not wearing one. I see people here wearing a mask in situations where it just makes no sense. People outside and not in a crowd (often even alone), walking, ridding a bicycle, driving, etc wear a mask, this is ridiculous. The virus is not hiding behind a tree ready to jump on people. Masks make a great sense and ARE proven to be useful in confined place with a big crowd where social distancing is not possible. But otherwise there is no scientific evidence that wearing a mask outside for example makes any sense. But Japanese just for some silly social pressure wear them all the time and like to be miserable since the season is not the best one to wear a mask all the time.

Agree.

Some experts on Japanese TV, did say that you do not have to wear it all the time, especially outside. but people in japan are just pressured mentally and do not want to stand out.

My Japanese partner often get the looks when she doesn't wear it outside even.

We still wear them on the trains, shopping centers etc.

But i am not gonna wear one on my way to the train station!

I mean people might shrug this off but I'm one of them. I never thought in my 30's I'd have acne again but all along my chin and jaw line and where the mask rubs on my nose is always breaking out. I won't stop wearing a mask and the adapalene I was prescribed is helping... but it does cause my skin to dry and flake off.

I won't really be comfortable going out in public without a mask until there is a vaccine or very reliable treatment. Too many of my friends back home have suffered terribly from Covid, I'm not taking any chances. One of my friends from high school, a nurse, caught it back in March and still has breathing problems from it.

I'll take the acne.

many studies suggest that masks do not prevent the spread of the virus either.]

And many studies suggest the opposite. I don't understand why anyone within their right mind wouldn't take the safe path. Whatever happened to better safe than sorry? Do masks put you in a state of mental distress or something?

I wear a mask not only for myself, but for the people around me that this virus could kill. If in a year we're told masks were useless after all, I highly doubt I'll regret being careful and mindful of the people around me.

Masks were not designed for such prolonged daily usage.

 And no matter how much smarmy social pressure there is to wear them - it's still my choice!

In civilized societies, driving at 120kph down a narrow residential street is not a "choice." It endangers others. Not wearing a mask endangers others.

The news is full of stores of dead, young people who thought the virus was a hoax or who refused to wear a mask because it was their choice. You have the internet, look it up.

Just because you choose a wrong, anti-social, selfish, self-centered action doesn't mean others have to.

There's a good chance that you're trolling here just to stir the pot just for laughs.

many studies suggest that masks do not prevent the spread of the virus either.]

Scientists and doctors agree pretty much universally that masks help prevent the virus from spreading.

Unfortunately, some morons are so desperate for a conspiracy theory that they believe those that are selling them.

A new, emerging problem leads to a series of attempts for improvements up to a viable solution. A new business opportunity may arise during the adaptive process. A mask of high-end quality can sell.

Nurses and doctors have to constantly wear masks for 8 hours plus and they suffer from associated skin problems

I battled acne for the most part of 20 years. Thousands of pounds spent on anything that would help, but nothing did. Finally when I came to Japan someone recommended me laser which was very expensive, but it finally helped my skin, like never before. I felt like a new person with a new life after that. I went through so many years of depression with acne. I have to avoid anything touching my face, especially rough masks. I tried wearing just the normal masks but as soon as I did my skin would become red and angry & would have breakouts. I thought, I'm not going to sacrifice what I went through for some many years to become depressed yet again. That's why I only wear a very thin veil now only when it's strictly necessary. If you don't know what people are going through, don't judge them based on the choices YOU want them to make.

Dermatologists are thriving!

30-50% of recovered patients have continued neurological, breathing and cognitive months after "recovering."

Could you provide a reference to scientific studies that back up those figures? Not some random media articles.

In general, it's very frustrating that people in the West are making wearing a mask a dogma and, here in Asia, they are making it a social harassement not wearing one. I see people here wearing a mask in situations where it just makes no sense. People outside and not in a crowd (often even alone), walking, ridding a bicycle, driving, etc wear a mask, this is ridiculous. The virus is not hiding behind a tree ready to jump on people. Masks make a great sense and ARE proven to be useful in confined place with a big crowd where social distancing is not possible. But otherwise there is no scientific evidence that wearing a mask outside for example makes any sense. But Japanese just for some silly social pressure wear them all the time and like to be miserable since the season is not the best one to wear a mask all the time.

Forget about masks. I get really bad heat rash every year as soon as it gets warmer in May. It's hell in the hotter months. Wearing a mask is the least of my problems.

The fact is any able minded person that is not sick or "infected" does not have to wear a mask, it is their choice. That IS the law at the moment. Has nothing to do with "he said or she said" regarding facial coverings. It is not selfish if you don't wear a mask, it is selfish if you don't wear a mask and cough without covering your mouth or don't practice "social distance".

All the fear out there guiding people is really getting ridiculous.

Love the way the mask culture seems to be working in Japan’s favor at this juncture, but perhaps their usage maybe worth a look. Not sure why people wear them driving in a car alone, or out in the middle of no where cycling etc. When there is space to breathe they should come off. Breathing in your own CO2 constantly also maybe an issue in the future. Especially when exercising in the summer!

Use wisely, be mindful.

Wait until the temperature hits 38 come the end of this month. Won't just be skin problems, it'll be problems breathing, and heat stroke.

Rather bad skin than a coffin.

And no matter how much smarmy social pressure there is to wear them - it's still my choice!

Your choice to spread the pandemic? Don't be so selfish, please. If you want to risk your life, fine but please don't risk other people's, thanks.

I wear a mask not only for myself, but for the people around me that this virus could kill. If in a year we're told masks were useless after all, I highly doubt I'll regret being careful and mindful of the people around me.

again, ordinary people, do not use masks properly as many papers suggest.

Why do doctors and other medical professionals frequently change their masks ?

I have yet to see an ordinary person change his or her a few time during a day. after just 20 mins the humidity inside the masks actually contribute to more germs etc.

So, what if by wearing a mask you made somebody sick? how would you feel?

In general, it's very frustrating that people in the West are making wearing a mask a dogma and, here in Asia, they are making it a social harassement not wearing one. I see people here wearing a mask in situations where it just makes no sense. People outside and not in a crowd (often even alone), walking, ridding a bicycle, driving, etc wear a mask, this is ridiculous. The virus is not hiding behind a tree ready to jump on people. Masks make a great sense and ARE proven to be useful in confined place with a big crowd where social distancing is not possible. But otherwise there is no scientific evidence that wearing a mask outside for example makes any sense. But Japanese just for some silly social pressure wear them all the time and like to be miserable since the season is not the best one to wear a mask all the time.

You are forgetting the fact that this is virtue signaling, finger pointing Japan. People feel free to pinpoint and harass you for the smallest thing that might go against the crowd rules. Many stories of people getting yelled at by total strangers these days.

Freind visited me he is required to wear a mask all day, his face was an advertisement for middle age hormonal imbalance. Luckily for me I only wear one when shopping and after 30min, my wife sends me to the car, I get too stressed and uncomfortable. Might be the shopping too.

Scientists and doctors agree pretty much universally that masks help prevent the virus from spreading.

Unfortunately, some morons are so desperate for a conspiracy theory that they believe those that are selling them。

perhaps if you use it like a scientist and a doctor. that is change it frequently, have a proper one with filters etc. and not a piece of cloth that Uniqlo is selling etc.

Lasting symptoms: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2768351

Found the same just now. The study is an interesting starting point but this is mo way enough to come up with definitive conclusions about the real proportion of the population who experience lasting symptoms. So 145 patients were enrolled to the study, the group ranged from 19 to 85 years old, with an average age of 57.  Overall, they had spent an average of 13 days in the hospital while infected, and about 20 percent needed assistance with breathing. Two months after there was no detectable virus, 13 percent of the study group was free of any COVID-19 symptoms. A bit over half still had at least three symptoms typical of the disease. The most common symptom was fatigue, followed by difficulty breathing, joint pain, and chest pain. Over 10 percent were still coughing, and similar numbers hadn't seen their sense of smell return. 

So although the study gives a reason for more research on this topic, it still has real issues. The study population is smaller than what is considered a good sample size in epidemiology, and the participants were asked to recall the symptoms they had while hospitalized, instead of having their symptoms pulled from their medical records. The latter one is a big issue on the quality of the data. Plus, some of the COVID-19 symptoms surveyed for, such as headaches, are pretty generic and could have a variety of causes. And no much is also said about the health history of those patients.

So yes again the study gives something to consider and pay attention to. But more studies with more reliable data are needed before defining an adequate health policy for this particular issue.

Thank god I sent the Abe masks back

And they say nurses have it tough...

Stop downplaying the importance of masks.

True that we don't know about long term effects of the virus but at the same time many studies suggest that masks do not prevent the spread of the virus either.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/85814

https://www.google.com/amp/s/medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-surgical-cotton-masks-effectively-filter.amp

So you're claims about "look it up on the internet " brings even more doubts about the masks...

And let's face it, ordinary people fail to use the masks properly, taking them off, wearing them on their chins, putting them on the tables... It's even more of a contamination risk in many instances.

@AgentX

No she wasn't put on a ventilator. She recovered at home. She got off relatively easy considering, but it's unfortunate she still has breathing issues.

but it does cause my skin to dry and flake off.

When you brush your teeth before bedtime, rub aloe vera into your face. You can buy online or in my case, buy from the home center and grow yourself.

If you don't know what people are going through, don't judge them based on the choices YOU want them to make.

As I said at the top of the discussion, masks are causing me problems, too. I have no issues with those who are being caused undue suffering from the damn things. Rather, those who seek to dismiss the masks, flat out.

Depression and bad skin, unfortunately are often linked. Skin flares up when stressed/depressed and depression/stress is increased when one has acne/irritation/rash/reaction etc.

Is this even news???

We are required to wear them at work, so I'm wearing a mask at least 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week. Yes, the back of my ears hurt like hell. Yes, my acne has been breaking out really bad. But, I have pre-existing conditions, and work with others that do too, and don't want either myself or them to die if infected.

Masks should changed as soon as they get smelly, meaning they are full of moist from your breath. That's first thing to do.

We are told here change at least every 4 hours. Do those complaining always respect that duration ? By the way, does your company pay if compulsory for work ?

I have sensitive skin and you need not wear it all the time (going to toilet sometimes ?).

Never heard of people who got ear rubs so bad. Just wear a mask with strings behind head instead of elastic bands.

And yes face shield if needed although it is not very sexy / customer oriented ;)

Masks are not some magic barrier which waves away viruses

Great argument about that thing no one has claimed.

though they may slow transmission.

They do slow transmission. Not may.

I think some of you here need to realize that, short of donning HAZMAT suits, you will probably contract the virus at some point.

Wow, fatalistic. I'd be depressed if I was living the world through your eyes.

I prefer a more objective perspective of the world, where even now, a few months down the road, scientists have been able to reduce the death rate through discovering which treatments work, while also reaching stage-3 trials on vaccines. Personally, I'd rather stay careful to not get it, and help others not get it, so we can keep as many from getting it as possible while we improve our response even further.

But hey, I'm a realist, not a glass half empty kind of guy. I can see how when you only see the world as a negative scary place, you would just want to get it over with and catch the disease as quick as possible.

Wanting to stay healthy, or alive is not identity politics.

Luckily for you, politicized or not, your chances of dying are infitesimally low...

Carry on!

Lasting symptoms: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2768351

Wash your mask and your face. Wrap sterile gauze around the strings daily. These simple things will reduce abrasions from strings.

Masks essential? lol..

My practical tips for the skin issues:

wear a silk mask - silk is gentle for the skin and has naturally some antibacterial properties. It also feels cool in the summer (and warm in the winter).

wear an ear guard

if you need to go to work, i.e. you need to wear a mask all day, bring a few masks with you so you can change them throughout the day. Also bring a small bottle of micellar water, some cotton rounds, and light gel moisturizer.

Every time you change your mask, wash your hands, wipe your face with the micellar water (drop some of it on the cotton rounds), moisturize your skin, wash your hands again, and put on a new, clean, mask.

Bit of an aversion to silk, jumped into bed and shoot out the other side, it hurt. Silk underpants silk sheets not as sexy as you might imagine. A mask? Just more danger.

If everyone would sit home and relax and not go trekking into the crowded cities you would not need to force yourself to wear a Hijab mask. The only time I go out is when I need go gorcery shopping or to 7/11 and that is quick and swift as I wear my mask for short duration. I have not gone and got a hair cut since Covid-19. If you don't need to go somewhere non essential you will be okay I think.

Your choice to spread the pandemic? Don't be so selfish, please. If you want to risk your life, fine but please don't risk other people's, thanks.

Going outside of your house anytime of the day is a risk your taking regardless of using a mask or not your out there walking into the unknown and hidden exposure as the virus goes undetected. Everyone is at risk regardless when your outside.....

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8515535/Ohio-man-37-dies-coronavirus-claiming-pandemic-just-hype-Facebook-post.html

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/i-thought-this-was-a-hoax-patient-in-their-30s-dies-after-attending-covid-party

Don’t wanna be a spoiler but in case of infection, surgical quality eyewear must be worn. Don’t see people following this.

Breathing in your own CO2 constantly also maybe an issue in the future.

Don't worry, Ricky - masks don't result in you breathing in your own CO2. The increase in concentration is so small that it makes no difference whatsoever. This is a concern related to an actual condition, but it doesn't apply with regards masks (which is why surgeons never mind). It is however being spread by conspiracy sites.

Kohakuebisu, there is a difference in the way the two viruses operate. Wuhan virus can have a prolonged period when the infected person does not exhibit symptoms so can be shedding virus and so infect others without knowing. Influenza does not have this long period so the infectious stage is more noticeable. Ergo the current advice to wear a mask where social distancing (still the best method with hand washing) is not possible. The Japanese habit of wearing it to prevent catching influenza is risible precisely because most masks and the way they are worn simply will not stop you catching the virus (and that goes for Wuhan virus as well if it is suspended in the air (for which there is starting to be some evidence in limited circumstances) what the wearing does is to help prevent the spread by the infected (which would also be true for the flu, but as it does not have the same period without symptoms a more effective method for that disease is to stay at home), so it is very much horses for courses and different circumstances require different advice.

No end of concerns for citisiders.

what are you putting in your face? High tech?

“sells a mask that not only cools but can also cut ultraviolet rays. It forms a curtain covering the nose, mouth and front part of the neck.”

More on long-lasting effects of Covid-19 for the non-mask wearing, it's only a cold, don't worry about it, everyone gets better crowd:

https://www.newsweek.com/scans-reveal-heart-damage-over-half-covid-19-patients-study-1517293

One of the worst cases was when the back of one of my patient's ears was cut on the top and bottom because of the friction of elastic bands on the mask

Do some people need to be told everything? Can they not figure out anything by themselves?

This would take some time to happen. Hours maybe at the quickest?

After 10 minutes the same thing was irritating me. So I cut the string in the middle... And tied extensions with the offcuts from an old mask. Making two bands that went round the back of the head. No more discomfort on the ears. Took 2 minutes and all I needed was a pair of scissors.

There's people in the office complaining of the same thing. So I turn my head and said 'try this'.

After much surprise and sugoi they go off to their desk and have the same thing done in minutes.

Skin trouble may often be due to poor choices in washable mask materials, especially homemade ones. My boss handed me one she made that was full of loose fibers. I rejected that thinking more of what it would do to my lungs. I reuse paper masks that I hand to air out and dry. They wait hanging for literally weeks.

I also recommend dabbing on some olive oil if skin or lips are chafing however in some areas that can cause acne, in my case, the chin.

I get why a lot of people here mask up while cycling, running, driving alone, etc. It's not for fun, virtue signalling, or through ignorance of the lessened risk. It's to avoid social pain, which MRI imaging has shown to be much worse than physical pain.

Next time you see redundant mask wearing, cut Yunosuke or Sayuri some slack. Infection is the least of their worries.

I don't watch youtube clips posted as evidence. Too many morons. Anything that had any basis in reality whatsoever would also have a write up with sources.

The news is full of stores of dead, young people who thought the virus was a hoax or who refused to wear a mask because it was their choice. You have the internet, look it up.

looked it up, it’s hardly full of such stories. All I saw saw young people with pre existing conditions. Stop fear mongering please, the story is about masks and skin conditions

Just wash your face now and then during the day. Am I right?

perhaps if you use it like a scientist and a doctor. that is change it frequently, have a proper one with filters etc. and not a piece of cloth that Uniqlo is selling etc.

No, that's wrong.

Scientists and doctors agree pretty much universally that cloth masks help prevent the virus from spreading as well as paper masks.

You really should look at what legit scientists are saying, rather than reading whatever fringe material you're getting your information from right now. It's steering you in the wrong direction.

Yes, you are wrong.

Well, either way, your comment above "[not wearing a mask] is spreading the pandemic" is hyperbolic and fanciful.

Try inserting words such as 'could', 'may' etc into your grammar perhaps? The world might seem like a better place.

Example: "Wearing a paper mask for days on end, that does not seal around the face correctly and traps bacteria, as opposed to the virus, MAY do very little to stop this minor coronavirus threat and COULD actually be doing more harm to individuals in terms of hygiene and social skills".

Said many times...paper masks can increase risk of infection/transmission. Basic rule, if you are showing signs of being sick, stay home. Always social distance and don’t touch your face and wash your hands.

many studies show the ineffectiveness of paper masks. Having said that, if I was in a crowded indoor space in Tokyo, I would definitely wear a mask and change it every hour.

Sorry about the hypocrisy.

(BTW, I can post studies backing my anti-mask philosophy for the skeptics. )

No she wasn't put on a ventilator. She recovered at home. She got off relatively easy considering, but it's unfortunate she still has breathing issues.

I'm happy to hear that she is OK. And I hope she can get past the breathing difficulties soon.

Use common sense. Masks are not mandatory at all times. Forever? Think about it. I miss seeing faces. I wish my Renaissance Sports Club would make masks optional, not mandatory. I wear a face drapery but even it is as annoying as can be. Until there is a vaccine?

No mask = cost saving = skin problems solved

In the last month, the skin irritation has been bothering me. I've been using creams and medical face wash to ease it & to be honest, I'd rather mild inconvenience than being dead or having the inside of my lungs damaged.

All those mischievous types telling us not to wear masks - please, don't spread the madness, ignorance and preventable deaths so tragically prevalent in your own country to Japan.

Stay safe & wear a mask, friends.

She caught Covid from her job, was ill for several weeks, got better but still has not regained full lung function months later.

I'm very sorry to hear that. Was she hospitalized and put on a respirator?

In civilized societies, driving at 120kph down a narrow residential street is not a "choice." 

That's right. It's a law. Masks are not...

I see people driving around wearing a mask. Meaningless. They are worn too much.

This until you get cyclists, riders, pedestrians and even other drivers coughing and sneezing right next to you.

After so many of these encounters I only drive with the windows up. For people who want to save on AC, masks might not be a dumb option.

Well, either way, your comment above "[not wearing a mask] is spreading the pandemic" is hyperbolic and fanciful.

And that quote is wrong. I said

Your choice to spread the pandemic?

Anyway, I'm not going to go down an argument of pedantics simply because some might feel inconvenienced.

Example: "Wearing a paper mask for days on end, that does not seal around the face correctly and traps bacteria, as opposed to the virus, MAY do very little to stop this minor coronavirus threat and COULD actually be doing more harm to individuals in terms of hygiene and social skills".

I'm afraid you're being disingenous here. Wearing of masks does help prevent the spread of the disease.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/30/masks-slow-spread-coronavirus-experts-cultural-shift

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200612172200.htm

Now, you may well have bad skin and the mask may aggravate that, in which case, you have my sympathies. But really, it's a no-brainer.

Wear a mask and help slow the virus down.

I use face shield over my mask and remove my mask once outside walking keeping my face shield so I can breathe well. My mask hangs on one side of the ear to out back when it’s crowded. I try to walk away from people.

Your choice to spread the pandemic? 

You see, the way you say that is part of the problem. I could be wrong, but you sound American to me,and it could be good ol' American hyperbole (Example: "This is the BEST sandwich in the world", "You are the most beautiful woman that ever lived", "You're either with us, or against us" etc etc).

No. Not wearing a paper mask is not necessarily equal to "spreading the pandemic". As is your choice to get the extra social credits by wearing a mask is NOT equal to NOT spreading the "pandemic".

This identity politics (displayed above) is what is doing far more damage than the COVID threat...

I find masks uncomfortable but wear one when shopping. I sympathize with people who have to wear them all day in an office, especially if that office has minimal air conditioning due to Cool Biz. That might need to be suspended. Some schools still don't have air con in classrooms, so I don't know what happens then when the hottest days of summer arrive.

I was a non-believer in masks for the flu etc. but think Covid-19 has proved me wrong. I think part of it was simple arrogance, and have made a mental note to try and be more open-minded in the future. I am scoring this one Japan and Asia 1 British know-it-all 0.

I could be wrong, but you sound American to me,and it could be good ol' American hyperbole

Yes, you are wrong.

Wearing a mask reduces the rate of infection. Now, in your own home, or out in the open with less people, it's less of a risk. But if you're in a public space, with other people around, it's common sense to cover up.

This identity politics (displayed above) is what is doing far more damage than the COVID threat...

Wanting to stay healthy, or alive is not identity politics.

I do not hear about skin trouble from men.

Unlike a number of countries and regions, Japan has not mandated by law the use of masks in public,

Exactly. Due to reasons outlined in the article and more, I refuse to wear them. And no matter how much smarmy social pressure there is to wear them - it's still my choice!

I don't tell you what to wear/do with YOUR body...

I've got an easy fix for y'all. Don't wear one!

Too many of my friends back home have suffered terribly from Covid, I'm not taking any chances. One of my friends from high school, a nurse, caught it back in March and still has breathing problems from it.

Just wondering if we are getting the full story, in context, here...