Medical Workers Are Speaking Out About Skin Breakdown Caused By Tight-Fitting Face Masks

Medical Workers Are Speaking Out About Skin Breakdown Caused By Tight-Fitting Face Masks N95 masks are a necessary means of protection against the coronavirus (COVID-19). But the masks’ tight fit, combined with long hours at the hospital, have left many healthcare workers dealing with painful bruises and skin irritation. “My shift started at 7 p.m., it’s now 1 a.m. and my face already looks like this,” Patricia Lafontant wrote on Instagram. Across the world, people have been sharing similar experiences. “Any time something puts constant pressure on the skin, you are going to see some sort of breakdown,” explains medical aesthetician Candace Marino. The good news is that it’s not likely to cause long-term damage. Erum Ilyas, M.D.