Severe “Maskne” Scarring: The face of Covid-19 prevention - A case report

Authors

  • Eshan Henshaw University of Calabar
  • Love E Okafor Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital
  • Chinwendu E. NWIGWE
  • Thelma E. Bassey

Keywords:

Maskne; Covid-19; hypertrophic scar; keloid; acne mechanica; Nigerian

Abstract

Facemask-induced acne, also known as ‘Maskne’ is a term coined during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a form of acne mechanica which results from friction between the skin and the fabric used in facemasks. It may present as new onset acne, or exacerbation of existing acne. Acne scars are well known sequelae of inflammatory acne; the most common and more extensively studied type being atrophic scars. Post-acne hypertrophic or keloid scars are less commonly encountered in clinical practice and thus not frequently reported in the literature. They occur predominantly on the trunk, and are more often seen in dark-skinned persons. They have not been reported following ‘maskne’ in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Acne scars add to the burden of disease and are a major cause of the negative psychosocial impact experienced by sufferers. We herein report the case of a 26-year-old military personnel, who developed exacerbation of acne following a period of prolonged use of cloth facemask that resulted in post-maskne hypertrophic scars on the face.

Published

2022-08-01