As
for CO2 retention, I have not seen any evidence for it with any mask type,
including N95 masks. It certainly does not apply to cloth masks or any masks
that do not provide a tight seal
Face
masks are important—very important. In fact, they play a crucial role in
the spread and prevention
of COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean mask wearing is without its complications. From
obscured vision and generalized discomfort to skin irritations and restricted
airflow, constantly wearing cloth
masks, disposable
masks, N-95 masks, and face shields can cause their own series of problems.
Here are some
of the most common complaints and side effects of wearing masks.
Side effects of
wearing a mask
Obscured vision
Does your mask
just keep fogging up your glasses? You’re not alone. “When a
mask sits loosely against the face, the exhaled air from one’s mouth blows over
the surface of the eye, resulting in an increased risk of foggy lenses and
mask-associated dry eyes,” Dr.
Margaret Liu, MD, founder of the San Francisco Eye Institute with
the Pacific
Vision Foundation, tells Parade.
The good news
is there are things you can do to improve your vision and minimize said fog.
Wearing a tighter mask may help. Altering the position of your glasses can
reduce cloudiness, and there are dozens of anti-fog wipes, sprays, and
cleansers now on the market. Drops can also help alleviate the discomfort
caused by dry eyes.
Masks can be a
pain, literally and figuratively, but they don’t have to be. To alleviate
generalized irritations and discomfort, make sure your masks are fitted but not
too tight. Try different variations, i.e. cloth versus disposable, to find
which type works best for you, and avoid materials that are uncomfortable,
bothersome, and/or irritating.
Difficulty
hearing others
While masks do
not impede our hearing—at least not directly—they do dampen the volume of our
speech, making it harder to communicate with others. Our mouths are also
hidden, which makes it impossible for us to read lips, and this is particularly
difficult for members of the hearing loss community. According to The
Hearing Review, face coverings pose various acoustic
challenges. To overcome this, speak slowly and loudly and supplement with
text and/or email communication, when possible.
One of
the most
common “side effects” of mask-wearing is the development of acne, rashes,
and/or other skin irritations. “As a dermatologist, irritation of the skin,
acne mechanica, and foggy glasses are just some of the side effects I have seen
of wearing the mask,” Dr.
Anna H. Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with the
Cleveland Clinic, tells Parade.com. “Contact dermatitis is also
common.”
Unfortunately,
it can be difficult to manage these conditions. “Because so many of us need to
wear masks, like myself, for work, avoiding these problems is hard.” However,
Chacon tells Parade there is help and hope. “One way I manage it is by wearing
cotton masks and wearing a new cotton mask daily. It is also important to avoid
wearing makeup under the masks, as this contributes to further breakouts [and
adding] a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide (mild percentage) to your daily
routine is often helpful.”
Bad breath and
tooth decay
Dentists are
seeing more and more oral issues these days and for good reason. “Mouth
breathing leads to a decrease in saliva, which is basically the immune system
for the mouth,” Dr.
Paul Koshgerian, DMD, a board-certified oral surgeon in
San Diego, California, tells Parade. “Certain elements of our saliva clean our
teeth and help fight bad bacteria. When that balance is disrupted, it can
result in bad breath, cavities, and other periodontal issues.”
The good news
is there are things you can do to combat said issues and decay. Breath through
your nose, when possible, and brush your teeth two times a day. Drink more
water and less caffeine, and try alcohol-free mouthwash, mints, and gum that
contains xylitol.
Presented by: Prof. Mario Lacouture, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Centre As advances in breast cancer therapies have improved survival,
novel therapeutics have been introduced for a variety of dermatologic
conditions. Not surprisingly, these therapies cause adaptions of skin, hair,
and nails. Studies have shown that these effects can significantly affect
quality of life and influence the self-image. Chemotherapy-induced
alopecia has an emotional impact on breast cancer patients. For most women,
facing alopecia is the most traumatic and stressful adverse event. Prof. Mario
Lacoutures (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, USA) explained that mild
hair loss is as impactful as losing the hair completely [1]. It is, therefore,
no surprise that permanent alopecia has been associated with depression and
anxiety. Scalp cooling is the most successful therapy in preventing and
reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. This technique reduces the scalp’s blood
flow, resulting in a decreased uptake of cytotoxic therapy by the hair
follicles. It was shown to be an effective and safe strategy. Prof. Lacouture
presented his study on the better understanding of dermatologic adverse events
[2], which aimed to provide adequate support to breast cancer patients. Results
demonstrated an improvement in 80% of women with endocrine therapy-induced
alopecia under topical minoxidin. In addition to minoxidine, Prof. Lacouture’s
phase 1 safety study demonstrated that twice daily application of topical
calcitriol -a vitamin D analog- was well tolerated and safe, and requires
further investigation in phase 2/3 trials [3].
Lacouture M. Dermatologic
Conditions from Estrogen Inhibition in Breast Cancer Survivors, session
F019: Women’s Health Therapeutic Hotline. AAD VMX 2021, 23-25 April.
