In the past few months, medical masks have become a hot commodity in all countries, without exception, due to the emergence of the notorious coronavirus, which is the most dangerous for the population. But until recently, a man in a medical bandage aroused in the people at least a desire to sit away or even get out of the subway car. You never know. Now the situation has changed dramatically: a person without this medical accessory will cause more bewilderment in the midst of an epidemiological outbreak of COVID-19. The increased demand is justified. Masks are able to protect the human body from the penetration of a harmful virus, which means it saves human lives.
Classification
Industry is inventing new ways to combat the penetration of foreign substances into our bodies. We have to deal with fine construction dust, smog of large cities, all kinds of viruses, pollen from allergenic plants , and so on.
Therefore, we bring to your attention types of masks for different occasions:
- anti-acid (protects against acid fumes);
- dense fabric bandage with a silicone insert (an option with a screen to protect the mucous membranes is possible);
- building dust respirator.
These products are equipped with filters, oxygen valves and nose clips. And what about the usual gauze masks?
A professional medical mask for the virus is a kind of protective barrier and traps particles up to 0.3 microns in size, so its thickness should ideally be at least two layers. The best option would be a three-four-layer product made of dense fabric or mesh gauze. In the pharmacy, most dressings do not meet these requirements. However, if a person is sick, even such a product significantly reduces the spread of bacteria. Just remember that a disposable bandage can be worn for no more than two hours. Then you need to replace the used one with a clean one.
In the face of a shortage of masks, you can take care of yourself and make it at home from a bandage. It does not require special seamstress skills. It is enough to be smart or use ready-made tips from the World Wide Web. Such a disposable product can protect you for a short period of time, for example, while going grocery shopping or visiting a public place with a large crowd of people.
Rules for use in case of allergies
Not all users, unfortunately, are aware of the rules for operating this fabric or gauze product.
Attention: improper use of a medical device will not only not save you from the virus, but it is also quite possible to harm your health, for example, there may be an allergy to a fabric mask.
So we remind you again:
- The gauze mask is disposable. Wear no more than two hours.
- Do not touch it with dirty hands, otherwise the protection loses its meaning.
- If the medical mask has slipped and the nose is open, consider that there is no protection.
- The bandage is wet from your breath (sneezed, coughed) - change.
- Theoretically, it can be sterilized at home, but there is no guarantee that you will kill all germs, so it is better to throw it away right away!
Symptoms
Another interesting question: can there be an allergy to a medical mask? Unfortunately, such cases are not uncommon. The thing is that the skin, with constant contact with the product, reacts in its own way, perceiving it as an irritant. This leads to the following set of symptoms:
- rash in the region of the nasolabial triangle;
- redness;
- itching.
Some patients note that from the medical mask itching in the nose, sneezing, sore throat is observed. The mask can cause discomfort in people suffering from diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
The size of the medical bandage also matters. A bandage that is too loose will not protect you well from harmful bacteria, and a bandage that is too small will press and rub your face. So take your choice seriously.
Constant contact of persons with a foreign object, which is the mask, can lead to the formation of ulcers and minor injuries, since the skin on the face is very delicate.
And sweat, skin secretions of the sebaceous glands, combined with moisture under the mask, cannot go unnoticed for your skin, especially if you are allergic or a patient with hypersensitive skin.
Some caring manufacturers impregnate the inner layer of the mask with a disinfectant. This news will please everyone except allergy sufferers. Propolis, essential oils of various flavors are used. Such “concern” for this category of the population can go sideways. Due to the substances that make up the impregnation, tearing, swelling of the nasal sinuses and pharynx, redness and sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and other unpleasant symptoms that are familiar to an allergy sufferer firsthand may appear. Virologists do not consider this measure justified, because it is the gauze that is the barrier to the penetration of the virus, and not what it is impregnated with.
Allergy treatment
Under the conditions of quarantine and self-isolation, it would be logical to follow the “stay at home” recommendation, then the mask will not come in handy. However, if you still cannot avoid going to a public place with a large concentration of potentially dangerous carriers of the virus and you have to wear a mask, you can help relieve allergy symptoms: anti-allergic ointment, cream to soothe inflamed skin. If the allergy makes itself felt too violently, take Suprastin tablets. Do not risk your health, because it can already be under attack.
How to clean your face during an allergy exacerbation? In order to take measures to treat the skin, the face must first be cleansed. If you are allergic, all products on the shelf should be hypoallergenic. If they are not at hand, forget about all kinds of household chemicals. Use boiled quality water at room temperature and a cotton pad. Rinse your face. A fermented milk environment can help relieve itching. Kefir or yogurt is suitable here. After this cleaning, repeat rinsing your face with plain water. Let the skin dry naturally, do not rub with a towel. You can lightly blot with gentle movements with a paper towel. The only thing left is to wait for the allergy symptoms to recede, subject to all precautions.
