Face Masks: Guide

Do you know that there are different types of face masks you can choose from?

A growing body of evidence suggests that wearing a face mask in public protects the wearer, even when you feel OK can help to inhibit the spread of diseases.

Moreover, it also helps to curb the spread of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

This is because in some cases, bacterial and viral infections spread via human contact.

That is the main reason why one should wear a mask. Even wearing a mask in a hospital setting can help inhibit the spread of diseases.

Face masks offer you protection, though how often depends on the type of mask.

No mask offers complete protection and you should not view them as a replacement for distancing from others.

It also includes hand washing, avoiding crowds, and using hand sanitizers to protect others around you.

Thus, with these, it can make a difference.

Keep on reading to learn more about face masks.

Face Masks

When choosing a face mask, make sure to look at how well it fits.

Gasps can let the air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the masks.

Moreover, gaps can occur when you choose the wrong size or type of make and when you wear them with facial hair.

Thus, it is important to check the fits that cover your nose, mouth, and chin.

• check for gaps by cupping your hands around the outside edges of the mask
• make sure that no air is flowing from the area near your eyes or the sides of the mask
• if the mask has a good fit, you will feel warm air coming through the front of the mask and you may be able to see the mask when you breathe

Types of Face Masks

Some types of face masks are:

Cloth Mask

These come in different fabrics and a number of types of cloth masks are available.

Make sure to wear a cloth mask that properly fits your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks, has multiple layers, and is a breathable fabric.

Moreover, it should have a nose wire and fabric that blocks the light when you hold them up to a bright light source.

Whole do not wear cloth mask with gaps, exhalation valves, vents, or other openings, is a single-layer fabric that does not block light, and is either wet or dirty material.

Procedure Masks

Disposable masks are widely available and are also popular as surgical masks or medical procedure masks.

Wear them if it fits your nose, mouth, and chin have multiple layers of non-woven material, and have a nose wire.

While do not wear them it has gaps around the sides of your face or nose and is of wet or dirty material.

Medical Face Masks

Different types of medical face masks are:

N95 Respirators

These are designed to create a tight seal around the nose and mouth.

When you wear it correctly, they can help block at least 95% of small airborne particles.

Moreover, these respirators are ideal for protecting both you and the people around you.

One reason why they are effective is that they are made of many layers of fine polypropylene fibers.

This uses the power of static electricity to trap incoming and outgoing particles and droplets.

However, experts are of the view that N95 masks remains short.

And should be reserved especially for healthcare workers and first responders.

KN95 Respirators

These help to filter out 95% of small airborne particles.

Moreover, it is important to note that this one is the widely available respirator that meets an international standard.

This respirator helps to filter varying levels of particles in the air depending n the standard they are designed to meet.

KN95 masks seal tightly to your face when you fit them properly, and make sure to pick one that fits your face and seals well.

Note: If the packaging of a mask says it is NIOSH approved, do not trust it.

This is because the U.S government agents like the National Institue of Occupational Safety and health would not approve a mask made to another country’s standard.

Learn more about Lab Equipment: Essential Tools for Dentists here.

Surgical Masks

These masks are disposable coverings that you can wear loosely around your face.

The goal of these masks is to protect other people from the wearer and to block large particles droplets or splashes in the air.

Though it does not block every small particle.

Surgical masks are made of paper, though some are also made with polypropylene.

Research indicates that surgical masks can help block a vast majority of droplets that an infected person can emit.

However, how well a surgical mask protects you from the smaller particles can vary widely.

Many doctors and experts are of the view that some surgical masks are clear to use for medical use by FDA and have better filtration efficiencies.

Learn more about Medical Items: Guide here.

Choosing Face Masks or Respirators

Masks and respirators i.e. filtering masks like N95 can provide different levels of protection.

It depends on the type of mask and how you use them.

The loosely woven cloth provides the least protection, layered finely woven products offer more protection, well-fitting disposable surgical masks, and KN95 offer even more protection.

While well-fitting NIOSH respirators offer the highest level of protection.

Whatever you choose, should be able to provide a good fit.

This means that it should closely fit on your face without gaps along the edges or around the nose.

Moreover, it should be comfortable enough when you wear it properly i.e. covering your nose and mouth.

A respirator provides better filtration and if you wear them properly it provides a higher level of protection than a cloth or procedural mask.

Also, a mask or respirator will be less effective if it fits poorly or when you wear it improperly or take it off frequently.

Situations to Consider

You may consider the situation and other factors when choosing a mask or respirator that offers protection.

These are:

• when caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19
• if you are at an increase risk of severe illnesses, in case of immunocompromised, older adults, or case of an underlying medical condition
• when working at a job where you have to come in contact with a number of people for instance bus drivers, grocery store workers
• when riding on planes, buses, trains, or other forms of public transportation, especially for long periods of time
• in case physical distancing is not possible
• or when you are in crowded indoor or outdoor public settings
• if you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations

How to Wear a Face Mask?

While there are different styles and types of face masks, the fit helps to keep you safe.

When wearing a mask, keep the following, CDC guidelines in mind:

The mask needs to be snug, yet comfortably against the sides of your face.

Your mask should secure your face with ties or ear loops and should consist of multiple layers of material.

However, it should allow you to breathe without restriction and should have the ability to withstand machine washing and drying.

However, make sure that while drying, it should not undergo any damage or change shape.

Make sure to wash your hands before putting on the mask.

When you put it on, you will want to put it over the nose and mouth and make sure it is secure under your chin.

Lastly, adjust the straps or ear loops to make sure that the mask fits well.

Masks Types and Fabrics to Avoid

According to CDC, you should not wear masks that:

• have loosely woven fabrics like loose-knit fabrics
• are single-layer masks
• are difficult to breathe through such as plastic or leather
• masks that do not fit properly, have large gaps, are too loose or are too tight
• with exhalation valves or vents
• surgical masks or respirators that are for health care workers

While you may have options like face shields and goggles, CDC does not recommend using them as substitue for a mask.

Instead, you may wear them in addition to a face mask to minimize the risk of infection.

Face Masks for Children

Children of age 2 and older can wear masks or respirators to protect themselves and others from infections.

Make sure to choose a well-fitting and comfortable mask or respirator that your child can wear properly.

Your child will remove or wear incorrectly a poorly fitting mask or respirator more often and it will not produce any benefits.

Therefore:

• choose a size that fits the nose of your child and under the chin, however, does not impair vision
• follow the user instructions for the mask or respirator, as these instructions can show how to make sure the product fits properly
• some types of masks and respirators may feel different if your child is wearing cloth or disposable procedure masks

As parents and caregivers, you may have questions about NIOSH-approved respirators like N95s, and international respirators like KN95s and KF94s for children.

Though respirators are available in smaller sizes, they are specifically for adults in workplaces.

Therefore, they may not have been tested for broad use in children.

Conclusion

Face masks should be a part of comprehensive strategy measures to suppress the transmission and save lives, while the use of masks alone is not sufficient to provide an adequate level of protection.

Not wearing them can put you at risk of contracting infections and even risk the lives of others around you. Thus, make sure to wear a face mask, wash your hand, and maintain physical distance, especially in hospital settings.