<p><strong>Background</strong><strong>: </strong>Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic many people started experiencing facial dermatoses like acne due to prolonged mask use and other personal protective equipment’s. Though most of the facial dermatoses due to face mask are reported in healthcare workers, general public are also affected by facial dermatoses due to prolonged mask use. Hence, we decided to undergo a study on different patterns of facial dermatoses due to prolonged mask use in Rajiv Gandhi government general hospital, Chennai.<strong> </strong>Aim of the study was to find out the incidence of facial dermatoses due to prolonged mask use in general public in the OPD of department of DVL in MMC and RGGGH, Chennai.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a cross sectional study conducted at RGGGH during the months august, September and October 2020. The clinico-epidemiological details were collected from 400 patients attending the OPD of department of DVL at MMC and RGGGH.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 400 study participants with mask induced facial dermatoses, acne (Maskne) was the most common facial dermatoses detected in 43% of participants, followed by Seborrhoea (28%), frictional dermatitis (18%), contact dermatitis (16%), non-specific erythema, cheilitis and other conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mask induced facial dermatoses can occur due to various factors like occlusive effect of mask, hyperhydration, seborrhoea, ambient high humidity due to sweating. As mask usage cannot be abandoned completely due to risk of virus transmission, dermatologists must be aware of the preventive strategies and treatments for mask induced facial dermatoses.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Generalized rashes are the most common conditions seen by primary care physician and the most common reason for new patient visit to dermatologists. There is often difficulty in diagnosing a generalized rash because many conditions produce similar rashes and a single condition can result in rashes with varied appearance. Accurate diagnosis is important because treatment varies depending on the cause. Hence, we decided to undertake a steady on the various presentations of exanthems in Madras medical college Chennai. To find out the incidence of exanthems in the OPD of Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprosy (DVL) in Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai to help in early diagnosis and treatment of the diseases.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study included all the newly diagnosed cases attending to the OPD of DVL, Madras Medical College, Chennai for a period of three months. Diagnosis was done based on clinical grounds and lab investigations were done whenever required.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> An analytical study of the medical records of patients attending the OPD of DVL, Madras Medical College, Chennai shows that maculopapular rash is the most common presentation of exanthems followed by papules, vesiculobullous, pustular, nodules, verrucous lesions.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The present study includes exanthems as a whole on contrary to many such studies performed in other parts of India which included rashes caused by viral infections and drugs. Our study included generalized skin eruptions due to infections, drugs, specific dermatoses, allergy.   </p>