HealthLinks Charleston July/August 2021

60 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com THE STRUGGLE IS REAL – HOW TO AVOID ‘MASKNE’ By Fay Boudet Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have been an integral part of the strategy to slow the transmission rate of the novel coronavirus. From hospital grade surgical masks to handmade versions, bandanas to fashion statements, masks in various forms have been a part of our lives for more than a year. One of the surprising – and perhaps most irritating – side effects has been the rise of “maskne.” A portmanteau of the words “mask” and “acne,” maskne is the prevalence of irritation and acne caused by wearing face masks for long periods of time.