Effect of Face Surgical Mask Application Face Skin Flora, Staphylococcus epidermedis As A Symbol

Abstract

Skin flora is a group of microbiota residing normally skin, it has an important function through the preservation of skin from infection by their natural probiotics or other defending tools. This study aimed to show the effect of surgical masks wearing on skin flora, depending on Staphylococcus epidermedis as a bacterial symbol.            The study was done on 20 normal individuals who are wearing surgical mask daily during their performing their normal life activities during COVID-19 global outbreak. Skin swabs before and after mask-wearing were taken from each individual from both genders equally (10 male and 10 female individuals). Bacteriological investigations were done for each swab as soon as at the private lab at Drmatology Private Clinic. These investigations were focused on staphylococcus epidermedis as bacteriological skin flora before and after mask application. Results revealed a significant reduction in bacterial numbers after wearing face masks by two genders. the bacterial count was reduced from 1x10 3 to 102 bacterial in males and the count was 1x102 to 10 cells in females.             In conclusion, wearing masks was affecting skin flora on the face through the reduction of some types of bacterial skin flora,Staphylococcus epidermedis her as a sample.