Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
After spending a month volunteering in a COVID-19 ward at Bellevue Hospital and living day to day in the heart of the Pandemic (NYC), Dr. Rapaport has made some unique observations about complications/injuries incurred as a result of wearing masks, both in the hospital setting as well as in the general public.
Mask Related Injuries in the Hospital :
Patients in the hospital are often treated for COVID-19 with oxygen support via a mask; they are also frequently placed in a prone position (i.e. laying face down) to help their lungs aerate more effectively. Dr. Rapaport noticed that some of these patients were experiencing rather severe skin injuries, including skin necrosis, to the nose and the upper lip, as a direct result of wearing oxygen support appliances while being in the prone position.
Mask Related Injuries in the General Public :
It is now commonplace to wear masks when in public or crowded places, as part of general public safety measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While watching the news one day, Dr. Rapaport noticed that many of the reporters in TV had red markings over the bridges of their noses, cheeks, and mouths—a clear indication that they had been wearing masks and that the masks had been worn too tightly. While wearing a mask to ensure your safety and the safety of others, please be sure to pay attention to the following:
1. Avoid pinching your mask too tightly over the bridge of the nose. Redness over the bridge of the nose that is present for more than 30 minutes after removing your mask is indicative of a first degree injury, similar to a sunburn.
2. Excess pressure from the mask may also cause blisters to form, which is essentially a second degree injury (and may even form a scar). Adjust your mask if it’s too tight!
3. Excess pressure from the mask may also cause hyperpigmentation around the nose and mouth, which can be long lasting. When going in the sun, pay extra attention to these areas, and cover up with SPF 50 or higher of physical sunscreen/block.
#masksafety #covid19 #healthcarehero #wearamask
After spending a month volunteering in a COVID-19 ward at Bellevue Hospital and living day to day in the heart of the Pandemic (NYC), Dr. Rapaport has made some unique observations about complications/injuries incurred as a result of wearing masks, both in the hospital setting as well as in the general public.
Mask Related Injuries in the Hospital :
Patients in the hospital are often treated for COVID-19 with oxygen support via a mask; they are also frequently placed in a prone position (i.e. laying face down) to help their lungs aerate more effectively. Dr. Rapaport noticed that some of these patients were experiencing rather severe skin injuries, including skin necrosis, to the nose and the upper lip, as a direct result of wearing oxygen support appliances while being in the prone position.
Mask Related Injuries in the General Public :
It is now commonplace to wear masks when in public or crowded places, as part of general public safety measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While watching the news one day, Dr. Rapaport noticed that many of the reporters in TV had red markings over the bridges of their noses, cheeks, and mouths—a clear indication that they had been wearing masks and that the masks had been worn too tightly. While wearing a mask to ensure your safety and the safety of others, please be sure to pay attention to the following:
1. Avoid pinching your mask too tightly over the bridge of the nose. Redness over the bridge of the nose that is present for more than 30 minutes after removing your mask is indicative of a first degree injury, similar to a sunburn.
2. Excess pressure from the mask may also cause blisters to form, which is essentially a second degree injury (and may even form a scar). Adjust your mask if it’s too tight!
3. Excess pressure from the mask may also cause hyperpigmentation around the nose and mouth, which can be long lasting. When going in the sun, pay extra attention to these areas, and cover up with SPF 50 or higher of physical sunscreen/block.
#masksafety #covid19 #healthcarehero #wearamask
