How to enjoy enhanced protection with your face mask?

People often buy face mask protection accessories but fail to use them properly. Did you know that the effectiveness of masks can be enhanced? How? By wearing a mask fitted well to the contours of your face so that you can prevent leakage of air through its edges!

A person should wear a mask that is snug over the nose, mouth, and chin without any gaps. When he is wearing a mask, he should feel warm air coming through its edges while breathing out. If he is feeling air coming out under the edges of his mask, he is not wearing the mask properly.

Some people choose to buy face mask protection accessories made with several layers to get enhanced protection. While some others prefer to wear a medical mask under another cloth mask. That means they wear two masks to enjoy more protection. But it is advisable not to wear 2-3 masks as layers if you find difficulty breathing or are blocking your vision. Also, if you use KN95 or N95, you may not want to wear another mask. But make sure you wear these masks in such a way that they fit and seal close to your face.

Proper use, storage, and cleaning of face masks are also important. You can follow these steps while putting on and removing any face mask:

• Wear a mask over your mouth, nose, and chin properly.

• Sanitize your hands before and after wearing a mask.

• Tie a mask properly behind your head or you can use ear loops if needed.

• Avoid touching your mask once you wear it.

• Remove the face mask protection accessories by untying them or lifting off the ear loops.

• In case you have accidentally touched your mask, it is advisable to wash or sanitize your hands.

• If your mask becomes wet or dirty, remove it and wear a clean one.

• Always throw away disposable masks after using them one time.

All You Need To Know About Face Mask Protection

Ever since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the CDC has made certain recommendations of wearing masks as general protection against the spread of the virus. In addition to this, CDC also recommends social distancing as an imperative part of containing the spread of COVID-19 disease. However, as people are getting vaccinated, there is rising confusion and distrust in using face masks as a form of primary protection. In response to this, CDC still continues to monitor the spread and asserts the initial recommendation of wearing face masks as primary protection.

How important is it to wear face masks?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the chances of the virus transmitting to others are high even if the person shows no signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Therefore, wearing masks has proven to be an effective way to control the spread of the virus. Although face masks may or may not meet any fluid barrier or filtration efficiency levels, it is still important that the face should be covered, especially the nose and the mouth. 

Among all the types of face masks and protection available in the market, cloth masks are a mild protective gear in terms of fluid barriers, whereas the N95 respirator provides higher respiratory protection to the wearer than cloth masks. Hence, even with the limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of the cloth masks, these items provide significant protection from germs, fluid exchange, and even the virus. Therefore, the CDC and WHO share a unanimous opinion that the widespread use of face masks might help to slow the spread of Covid-19.

What are different types of masks and their effectiveness?

• Medical masks, also known as surgical masks are loose-fitting disposable face protection. Originally designed to protect the wearer from the contact of germs and droplets, a medical mask should only be worn for a short period of time as they are loose in form-fitting and may not provide long-term protection or in highly contagious environments.

• Cloth Masks. These masks are intended to trap respiratory droplets when the wearer talks, coughs or sneezes. Therefore, it is only effective if made of multiple layers and a tightly woven fabric such as cotton. Cloth masks are safe to be worn by healthy and fully vaccinated individuals in non-congested environments. 

• N95 Respirators. These offer the highest form of protection than medical and cloth masks and covers the contours of the face, Its full-coverage filters out both large and small particles as the wearer inhales. Initially, these masks were in short supply, so the CDC recommended that these should be reserved for healthcare professionals only. However, now that these masks are abundant in supply, they are advised to be worn by people showing mild symptoms of flu or COVID-19.

Evidently, there are a number of benefits that face mask protection can provide to the wearer and to those around them. Hence, it’s essential to practice proper care in wearing and removing face masks to ensure proper protection. 

Elite Medical Accessories offers industry-grade face protection accessories in the form of surgical masks, 3 ply masks for children, and N95 respirators. Visit our website or reach out to our team to buy the highest-quality face protection accessories for your medical facility.