Collaborative Post
Face masks are now compulsory in the United Kingdom when you are in a public indoor space. Research has shown that COVID-19 is often spread by air transmission from talking, coughing, sneezing, noisy talking, and even singing. A face mask protects you from breathing in particles from people who are infected with coronavirus and are asymptomatic. A face mask also reduces the number of particles you discharge into the air. Wearing a mask is as much for others as it is for you.
However, there is no doubt about it: wearing a mask is no fun. They can be uncomfortable – health care workers who have to wear them for their entire shift can certainly attest to that. While it is never going to be the most pleasant thing to have to wear, there are some things that you can do to take a little of the discomfort away, such as finding out how to stop them rubbing on your ears and stop glasses steaming up, and make it slightly easier.
Ear pain
One problem that many people have with face masks is that they are uncomfortable around their ears.
- Instead of using masks with elastic ear loops, use ones that tie around the back of the head
- Use hair slides to connect the ear loops to your hair to prevent chafing
- Sew buttons onto the side of a headband and attach the loops to those.
Glasses steam up
Wearing a mask is difficult for people who wear glasses. Breath rises up over the top of the mask and causes the glasses to steam up.
- Ensure that your mask fits well. If it is loose, it is going to let more of your breath escape. Make sure it fits tightly – but obviously not so tight that it is uncomfortable, and choose ones that tie up at the back or have adjustable ear loops and adjustable/bendable nose pieces.
- Put a piece of tissue in your mask This will absorb much of your breath and reduce the steaming up
- Wash your lenses with soapy water, rinse and leave to air dry or dry with a clean, microfibre cloth.
Skin breakouts
Wearing masks can cause breakouts of spots and ‘maskne’. There are ways of preventing it.
- Try to avoid wearing makeup when wearing a mask, as this will clog your pores even further
- Use a good quality moisturiser every morning and every evening
- Cleanse your face thoroughly before and after wearing a mask
- Make sure you wash your mask properly after every use.
Makes you feel too hot
Unfortunately, masks are going to trap warm air between your face and the fabric. This can’t be prevented, but the following steps will help you:
- Choose masks that are made of pure cotton, as this allows for greater airflow than other fabrics
- Tie your hair up if it is long or clip it away from your face
Wearing a face mask is something that is likely to be something we have to do for the foreseeable future, so making sure it is as comfortable as possible is important.