How to prevent mask-related adverse skin reactions

Abstract

The prolonged use of masks has been reported to cause adverse skin reactions in both health-care workers (HCWs) and the public. In this issue of Dermatol Sinica, Ku et al. conducted a narrative review to identify different adverse skin reactions and associated risk factors in HCW and the public with prolonged use of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] They reported that retroauricular dermatitis, cheilitis, rosacea, acne vulgaris, nasal bridge damage, itch, allergic contact dermatitis, and irritant contact dermatitis are common mask-related adverse skin reactions. In addition, the long duration of wearing masks, preexisting skin diseases, and being HCWs are highlighted as definite risk factors. This review summarized the mask-related dermatoses and the associated risk factors. Therefore, it helps HCWs and the public adopt appropriate preventative measures based on their individualized circumstances. Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune depigmenting skin disorder resulting from the selective destruction of melanocytes. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is complex and the therapeutic choice for vitiligo was limited in the past. The wood’s light, dermoscopy, and clinical photography were traditionally used to diagnose vitiligo. Interestingly, several potential biomarkers and advanced noninvasive skin imaging such as reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography have recently assisted in evaluating vitiligo disease activity and severity. The clinical management of vitiligo is aimed at halting disease progression and facilitating repigmentation. In this issue of Dermatol Sinica, Shen et al. update the pathogenesis of vitiligo, discuss emerging biomarkers for the assessment of vitiligo disease activity and severity, and summarize prospective targeted therapies in treating vitiligo.[2] Various scientific and technological breakthroughs have been achieved in the field of medicine, especially in the field of dermatology, improving the accuracy of disease diagnosis and treatment to a new stage, in which the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has played an indispensable role. However, a study in 2020 found that while 85% of dermatologists were aware that AI is an emerging technology conducive to the development of dermatology, only 24% had a better understanding of the field.[3] In this issue of Dermatol Sinica, Ye and Chen review the recent new development of AI in dermatology, to promote dermatologists in the better understanding and mastering of it.[4] In this issue of Dermatol Sinica, Song et al. reported that hypertrophic scar patients owned elevated HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) and decreased miR-30a-5p.[5] HOTAIR knockdown can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis of scar fibroblasts by negatively regulating the expression of miR-30a-5p. Ye et al. reported that dupilumab showed good efficacy and safety in patients with photodermatoses through light-induced type 2 inflammatory response.[6] Lee et al. reported a case of paraneoplastic bullous pemphigoid and reminded the possibility of underlying malignancies in young- and middle-aged patients with bullous pemphigoid accompanying systemic symptoms.[7] Solon and Guevara reported a case of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma presenting with an ulcerated mass associated with persistent high-grade fever, pallor, easy fatiguability, body weight loss, and exertional dyspnea.[8] Luo et al. reported the clinical presentation and histological finding of a case diagnosed as cutaneous muicnosis of infancy.[9] Ma et al. reported the successful treatment of baricitinib in one patient with bullous pemphigoid.[10] However, the precise mechanisms remain unclear and it deserves further research for understanding the mechanisms of Janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid. Cutaneous manifestations occur in 95% of patients with mpox (monkeypox) that has caused recent global outbreaks.[11] In this issue of Dermatol Sinica, Wang et al. reported that a case of mpox presented with clinical presentation as acute tonsillitis initially, then a few vesiculopustular lesions developed on the upper limbs later. Dermoscopic features of the skin lesions of mpox showed the distinctive dermoscopic “rising sun” sign for pustular lesions, characterized by a central homogenous yellow area surrounded by a bright erythematous halo, may represent a diagnostic hallmark for mpox.[12] Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.