Facial Skin Changes, Skin Condition, Skin Inflammation
Conditions
Brief summary
The global coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) has led to an increased need to wear protective equipment such as wearing face masks and practicing hygiene measures such as more frequent use of antiseptics. These measures can lead to changes in the skin, the development of new inflammatory skin diseases or exacerbation of existing ones, with health professionals especially under the risk of developing these changes. Changes in facial skin due to wearing masks have been observed in a number of studies, however, part of the study was based solely on subjects' self-assessment or clinical assessment, and only a small part on objective measurements of skin parameters. Also, the impact of prolonged masks' use have not been investigated. The aim of these study was to investigate the effects of constant, long-term use of protective masks on facial skin.
Interventions
OTHERProtective facial mask
Participants, students of health related professions, who wear protective facial mask daily during their internship/practice in health institutions.
Sponsors
University of Split, School of Medicine
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Inclusion criteria
* young, healthy volunteers who gave written informed consent - students of health related professions who wear facial mask for at least six hours a day durnig their internship/practice in health care institutions
Exclusion criteria
* skin disease, skin damage on measurement sites * use of corticosteroids, antihistamines and immunomodulators a month prior the inclusion and during the trial * use of emollients three days prior the inclusion in the trial * non-adherence to the trial protocol * exposure to artificial and excessive natural UV radiation * pregnancy and lactation * skin cancer * immunosuppression
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Transepidermal water loss change | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | Tewameter will be used to assess skin barrier function as a measurement of the water loss (g/hm2). |
| Stratum corneum hydration change | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | Corneometer will be used to estimate skin dryness. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). |
| Skin erythema change | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | Mexameter will be used to assess erythema. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). |
| Melanin content change | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | Mexameter will be used to assess skin melanin content. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). |
| Participants' reported facial skin changes | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | Structured interview to determine if participants developed adverse events related to mask wearing (such as dryness, erythema, rash, scaling, pruritus, pain/burning, changes in texture or colour, ulcers etc.) between two measurement time-points. |
| Sebum level changes | Weekly measurements for the duration of six weeks | Sebumeter will be used to assess sebum levels. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). |
Countries
Croatia
Contacts
Primary ContactDario Leskur, PhD, MPharm
Outcome results
None listed