Professor Peter Elsner stated that wearing a mask stresses the skin due to its inability to breathe properly, leading to irritation, inflammation, redness, and itching. He recommended that individuals ensure their skin is exposed to fresh air for about half an hour after wearing a mask for approximately an hour and a quarter. When sweating under the mask, the skin should be washed with lukewarm water or gently dabbed to remove sweat.
For daily care, a gentle, alcohol-free cleansing product should be used to avoid further drying of the skin. After cleansing, a rich moisturizing cream should be applied to hydrate the skin and improve its barrier function for natural protection to alleviate discomfort.
If the mask causes more severe problems or worsens a chronic skin condition, a doctor should be consulted to prescribe treatment medications. The German professor advised avoiding corticosteroid-containing medications.
