Skin Adverse Effects of Face Mask Use during COVID-19 Pandemic among Primary Health Care Workers, Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequent facemask use resulted in skin adverse effects among some health care workers. The aim of this study is to investigate the skin adverse effects among primary healthcare workers who have been using face masks in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire containing 17 questions. The survey was conducted online by sending an invitation link to primary health care workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. The survey was carried out between June 2023 and July 2023. A total of 220 healthcare workers (166 physicians and 54 nurses), having a mean age of 36.7 (± 8.9) years, participated in the study. Seventy-one percent of the participants were males. The majority (75%) used surgical face masks; 67.7% reported using the face mask 4-6 days per week. A total of 71 (32%) participants reported skin adverse effects due to face mask use. The most commonly reported complaint was dryness (61.7%), while dry skin and nasal bridge scars were the common skin lesions. The cheek (56.9 %) and nose (55.9 %) were the location of most skin lesions. Gender (p<0.0001), specialty (p =0.031), number of days per week of face mask use (p<0.0001), and the design of face mask (p=0.041) had statistically significant association with skin adverse effects due to use of face mask. Skin adverse effects due to face mask use were common among the study participants. Primary healthcare workers must employ preventive measures and appropriate skincare practices.