COVID-19: Skin Problems For Hygiene Practices
Australia businesses are opening their doors, hoping to recoup some of the money lost after being shut down for more than six weeks because of the stay-at-home order.
But, unfortunately, the ease of restrictions is far from a return to normalcy. We must put in place new safety measures, including face masks and constant sanitising, that can cause skin issues such as dryness and irritation.
Many people are suffering from irritant hand eczema due to stringent hand hygiene practices. This condition leaves your hands with painful, dry, and cracked skin. Sometimes, the cracked skin would even bleed.
Wash your hands with soap and water, and then apply moisturiser, instead of using alcohol rubs. You could try, TONYMOLY Peach Hand Cream, to experience softer, more youthful-looking hands. The natural formula is enriched with peach and apricot extracts to hydrated skin while providing anti-wrinkle effects.
If you have to use alcohol rubs or disinfectant wipes or hand sanitisers, remember, soap and water should always be your first choice for clean hands. Only use hand sanitizer when washing your hands is not possible.
Negative Consequences For Your Skin Due To Mask-Wearing
Wearing a mask or facial covering has been promoted as one way to combat the spread of the virus. Most public places have now mandated visitors to cover their mouth and nose. The problem is that the skin of the face can suffer negative consequences from constant covering.
Some of the main problems include irritant dermatitis to the skin and upset the natural balance of the skin around the mouth. The most common symptoms include rashes, redness, irritation, and scaling around the nose and mouth. Sometimes it can even appear pimples or pustules in clusters.
How To Prevent Irritated Skin Caused By Wearing a Mask
Avoid wearing masks for extended periods. Take your mask off when you do not need to wear it while driving your car or in your home's privacy.
If your skin is too much on the dry side, use a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturiser such as COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream to hydrate and rebalance your skin. Keep in mind that a little of this cream goes a long way. For faster absorption, try warming up your hands by rubbing them together and then placing them over your face.
Do not use rubbing alcohol or witch hazel as this will be even more irritating to the skin.
Use a neutral cleanser such as INNISFREE Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam to wash your face.
Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam is created from natural, organic ingredients, using a volcanic rock to exfoliate your skin. This formula gives your skin a deep clean while being gentle enough to use as a daily foam cleanser. Use it after removing your makeup.
To remove your makeup, use BANILA CO Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm, a cult favourite amongst K-beauty fans. It is easy to apply as its waxy texture turns into oil when warmed up. You will see how your makeup melts off after applying it to your face.
If you are using a gentle cleanser and hypoallergenic moisturiser, and your skin is still dehydrated and raw, you can try a plain coat of HOLIKA HOLIKA Aloe Vera 99% Soothing Gel.
This soothing gel has strong healing effects, and it was made specifically to soothe and moisturise skin. It helps to relieve heated or inflamed skin. Think about it if your skin is taking a drink from a big glass of water.
If these things do not work, call your dermatologist, and see if they can prescribe you something. These skin problems are usually treated similarly to rosacea, so your doctor might prescribe very low doses of antibiotics to reduce inflammation.
