Managing Nose Skin Breakdowns

[jesse_the_k]

I've seen it described as "maskne," which is a great pun but my nose doesn't have any pustules. Just lots of redness and a few places where the skin is abraded.

Things I'm already doing:

• Wearing a mask without grey foam padding (it made me itch right away)
• Smearing Aquaphor Healing Ointment on my nose as soon as I'm safe to unmask
• Bending the nose wire with two fingers, so my nose doesn't act as a lever

Any other ideas?

Comments

[redbird]

The instructions that came with my N95 masks specifically say to start by bending the nose wire into a curve with your fingers, then adjust the nose wire after you put the mask on.

When I used masks with ear loops, I found that applying vaseline behind my ears before putting the mask on helped protect my skin. I haven't tried it on the bridge of my nose, but it might be worth trying if you aren't wearing glasses and a mask at the same time.

[azurelunatic]

My partner puts medical tape over the bridge of their nose (specifically, silicone medical tape, but I imagine that any tape that one is not allergic to would help). If it's already abraded, maybe some moleskin bandage facing the nose, held on with tape?

[fred_mouse]

If your masks have earloops, then modifying to not wear over your ears might change the way the pressure is on the nose? Partner has done that by cutting the loops and adding in scraps of old ribbon. I found that a large (5cm) paperclip worked well (clip both loops through the paperclip), as have an assortment of hair accessories that I commonly use -- I have long hair and usually wear it in a low bun held with a hair stick; the ear loops go over the hair stick well (over the 'opposite' side, if that makes sense?)