Frustrations

Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, recently addressed “maskne” in a blog post.

“When you breathe, moisture and humidity get trapped under the mask, and that moisture and sweat make your skin oily,” she writes. “The longer you wear the mask, the worse this gets … you can be prone to breakouts.”

Skip the makeup, she said, and ensure you wash your hands and face regularly with a gentle cleanser. Apply a light moisturizer 15 to 30 minutes before donning a mask.

Washing cloth masks and replacing disposable ones frequently can help prevent breakouts, not to mention the spread of COVID-19.

Foggy glasses are a major complaint of mask wearers, but one that healthcare professionals have dealt with for years, said Jeff Rohlf, a licensed optician.

“Putting a band of surgical tape at the top of the mask … or placing a tissue or thin layer of cloth can prevent air from getting up into the glasses,” said Rohlf, chief of eyewear gallery services for the College of Optometry at Ohio State University.

“People have gotten real creative.” He said ensuring you have an optimal fit with your glasses can help, too, as can washing them regularly with dish soap. Lens cleaners or wipes don’t work as well.

This can eliminate most fogging in temperature-controlled environments, such as offices. If eyeglass wearers regularly transition from cold to hot, humid areas, they might want to invest in an anti-fog product such as Defog It cloths.

Getting young children to wear masks can be another battle, but it’s an important one to overcome, said Parker Huston, a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

He recommends using simple, non-threatening language to explain to young children why masks are necessary.

“They don’t understand the moral reasons or issues of viral transmission, just like they don’t understand car seats or why they have to brush their teeth,” Huston said. “It’s just a matter of routine for them.”

If they do ask questions, say something as simple as, “We’re trying to keep our germs to ourselves.”

Children should also have ample time to practice wearing a mask — with positive reinforcement — before doing so in public.

“For the first time, maybe not put it all the way on,” said Kara Miller, an occupational therapist at Nationwide Children’s. “Maybe have them hold it and then say, ‘Oh, I like the way you are holding it.’”

Then, build up from wearing it for a few seconds to running around the backyard with it on. Or have a beloved stuffed animal try it on or allow the child to pick out a mask in a favorite color or character print.

But adults modeling good maskwearing behavior can be the most beneficial tool.

“If parents make masks anxietyprovoking, the kids pick up on that,” Huston said. “Our message is to make them as normal as possible.”

Just like shoes. award@dispatch.com @Allisonaward