An epidemiological study on face masks and acne in a Nigerian population

Punica granatum L. (Pomegranate) Extracts and Their Effects on Healthy and Diseased Skin

The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the botany, phytochemistry and dermatological effects of Punica granatum (PG), with special emphasis on therapeutic mechanisms in various skin conditions. PG peel contains the highest levels of chemical compounds. Due to the high abundance of polyphenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, anthocyanins and flavonoids, exhibiting strong antioxidant properties, PG peel possesses significant health-promoting effects. Up until now, different parts of PG in the form of various extracts, fixed seed oil or individual active compounds have been investigated for various effects on skin conditions in in vitro and in vivo studies, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, chemoprotective and antiaging effects, as well as positive effects on striae distensae, skin repair mechanisms, erythema, pigmentation and psoriasis. Therefore, formulations containing PG active compounds have been used for skincare of diseased and healthy skin. Only a few effects have been confirmed on human subjects. Based on encouraging results obtained in in vitro and animal studies about the numerous substantial dermatological effects of PG active compounds, future perspectives should incorporate more in vivo investigations in human volunteers. This approach can aid in identifying the optimal concentrations and formulations that would be most efficacious in addressing specific skin conditions.

Health effects of filtering facepiece respirators: Research and clinical implications of comfort, thermal, skin, psychologic, and workplace effects

Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR's) such as N95s have become widely used in appropriate settings for personal respiratory protection and are increasingly used beyond workplace settings. Concerns about possible adverse effects have appeared in many publications, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic led to much more widespread use. This paper synthesizes known effects based upon review of publications in PubMed since 1995, addressing effects other than pulmonary and cardiovascular (reviewed elsewhere). Findings: (1) Subjective discomfort is very frequently reported; this includes general discomfort or organ-system-specific complaints such as respiratory, headache, dermatologic, and heat. Research methods are widely divergent, and we propose a taxonomy to classify such studies by methodology, study population (subjects, experimental vs. observational methodology, comparator, specificity, and timeframe) to facilitate synthesis. (2) Objective measures of increased heat and humidity within the mask are well documented. (3) Frequency and characteristics of dermatologic effects have been insufficiently evaluated. (4) Physical mask designs are varied, making generalizations challenging. (5) More studies of impact on work performance and communication are needed. (6) Studies of effect of FFR design and accompanying training materials on ease and consistency of use are needed.

Effects of Mask Reuse on the Oropharyngeal, Skin, and Mask Microbiome

BACKGROUND

Face masks have been critical in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but supplies were sometimes limited and disposable masks contribute greatly to environmental waste. Studies suggest that filtration capacity is retained with repeated use, and surveys indicate many people reuse surgical masks. However, the impact of mask reuse on the host is understudied.

METHODS

We applied 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the bacterial microbiome of the facial skin and oropharynx of individuals randomized to wearing fresh surgical masks daily versus masks reused for 1 week.

RESULTS

Compared to daily fresh masks, reuse was associated with increased richness (number of taxa) of the skin microbiome and trend towards greater diversity, but no difference in the oropharyngeal microbiome. Used masks had either skin-dominant or oropharynx-dominant bacterial sequences, and reused masks had >100-fold higher bacterial content but no change in composition compared to those used for 1 day.

CONCLUSIONS

One week of mask reuse increased the number of low-abundance taxa on the face but did not impact the upper respiratory microbiome. Thus, face mask reuse has little impact on the host microbiome, although whether minor changes to the skin microbiome might relate to reported skin sequelae of masking (maskne) remains to be determined.

Transmission and infection risk of COVID-19 when people coughing in an elevator

People in cities use elevators daily. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more worries about elevator safety, since elevators are often small and crowded. This study used a proven CFD model to see how the virus could spread in elevators. We simulated five people taking in an elevator for 2 min and analyzed the effect of different factors on the amount of virus that could be inhaled, such as the infected person's location, the standing positions of the persons, and the air flow rate. We found that the position of the infected person and the direction they stood greatly impacted virus transmission in the elevator. The use of mechanical ventilation with a flow rate of 30 ACH (air changes per hour) was effective in reducing the risk of infection. In situations where the air flow rate was 3 ACH, we found that the highest number of inhaled virus copies could range from 237 to 1186. However, with a flow rate of 30 ACH, the highest number was reduced to 153 to 509. The study also showed that wearing surgical masks decreased the highest number of inhaled virus copies to 74 to 155.

Medical Face Masks Do Not Affect Acid-Base Balance Yet Might Facilitate the Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus in Hospital Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, the wearing of masks has become a common phenomenon. Most of the undesirable effects of using a protective face covering are usually related to the prolonged time of its wearing, and the adverse consequences of face coverings should be considered two-fold. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate of contamination of the three types of face coverings (surgical, N95, and FFP2 masks) with the microorganism-aerobic bacteria, yeasts, and molds-after the 3 h exposure time. The study aimed to investigate the effects of wearing FFP2 masks (KN95) on respiratory function and the acid-base balance of the human body.

RESULTS

The presence of S. aureus was confirmed in both nasal carriers and non-carriers which may demonstrate the cross-contamination and spread of this bacterium via hands. S. aureus was found on external and internal surfaces of face masks of each type, and therefore could also be transmitted via hands from external sources. The 3 h exposure time is not sufficient for Gram-negative rods and mold contamination. Moreover, there were no significant differences in most of the parameters studied between the first and second examinations, both in spirometry and capillary blood gas analysis (p > 0.05).

Acne care in health care providers during the COVID ‐19 pandemic: A national survey

The medical face mask, widely used by health care providers (HCPs) during the COVID‐19 pandemic, is reported to be associated with adverse reactions, among which acne is one of the most common. This study aims to evaluate treatment strategies employed by HCPs affected by acne in association with prolonged medical face mask use, their openness towards accessing telemedicine as a patient, and other lifestyle factors with potential influence on the evolution of their acne. Our online‐based cross‐sectional survey was distributed between December 17, 2020, and February 17, 2021, and targeted HCPs from different medical centers in Romania. From the n = 134 respondents, 50% reported current acne lesions and 56.7% required treatment. Of the latter, 65.8% self‐medicated and 34.2% sought medical advice. The most common treatment associations between anti‐acne topical products were: retinoids and salicylic acid (18.18%; n = 8), retinoids and benzoyl peroxide (13.64%; n = 6), salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide (13.64%; n = 6), and azelaic acid together with salicylic acid (9.09%; n = 4). The health care provider responders were reluctant to use telemedicine, as only 14.2% participants were open to telemedicine. Our results suggest inadequate management of acne in HCPs using medical face masks. As with other occupational hazards and proper usage of personal protective equipment, HCPs should receive adequate screening, training, and treatment for this condition.