Coronavirus: What to do if your mask is irritating your skin

As more states continue reopening, many leaders are stressing the importance for people to wear masks.

Some places, like Costco, require them. But wearing them might not be the most comfortable thing to do.

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Mayo Clinic Dermatologist Dr. Dawn Davis told Action News Jax that people are getting friction and irritation on the nose, behind the ears and under the chin.

Davis told the news station that the first step for mask use is to wash and pat one’s face dry, then apply two layers of face moisturizer.

She also recommends getting zinc oxide.

“Zinc oxide is the white hypoallergenic chemical that’s in unscented diaper paste-like A&D ointment and things like that. It’s readily available over the counter and it’s very inexpensive," Davis told Action News Jax.

Davis recommends putting a thin layer of it on the parts that are irritated around the nose, chin and behind the ears.

“That serves as a nice barrier to the friction without impacting or decreasing the effectiveness of the mask,” she said.

When you get home, Davis said, take the mask off and wash and moisturize again.

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