the pitfalls of wearing a mask

no really, they smell. sometimes it’s a chemical stink, possibly the stench of whatever used to treat the fabric . maybe you need a new one — after all, you can only wear a mask over your nose and mouth for so long before those moist droplets start to grow odour-producing bacteria. and then there’s the thing we all try not to think about — breathing in our own bad breath. eww.

while they don’t cause lower levels of oxygen or a build-up co2, according to the world health organization , masks sometimes contribute to foggy glasses, dry eyes, mask mouth, and maskne. luckily, there is a lot we can do to prevent and manage the side effects of face coverings.

foggy glasses. wearing a mask, especially an improperly fitted one, can lead to mask fogging as the warm air you breathe out moves upwards. one option is to tie the straps of a surgical mask in a criss-cross pattern to prevent any gaps in the sides of the mask. in an article i n the annals of the royal college of surgeons of england, people are urged to “wash spectacles with soapy water and, air dry or gently dry off the lenses with a soft tissue before putting them back on.” washing with soap creates a film that makes the water spread out thinly preventing the lens from misting up.

dry eyes. “we are seeing the emergence of people noticing dry and uncomfortable eyes while wearing masks,” says karen walsh, a clinical scientist with the centre for ocular research & education at the school of optometry & vision science  at the university of waterloo. “this may be experienced as a worsening of symptoms for those already diagnosed with dry eye, or for some people, it may be the first time they have noticed dry and uncomfortable eyes.” walsh says that fitting the mask properly can reduce the air flow to the eyes. “the mask should be close fitting, especially along its top edge to try and limit to flow of air out of the top and over the surface of the eye,” she says, suggesting taking regular breaks from drying environments such as air conditioning and prolonged digital device use, while wearing masks. lubricating eye drops are also a potential antidote. “as with any new eye-related symptoms, we also advise that people should contact their eye care professional for advice too,” she says.

mask mouth. wearing a mask leads to a dry mouth. and a dry mouth means there’s less saliva clearing out bacteria which results in bad breath, more plaque, an increase in cavities and gum inflammation, according to the regina dental group’s website. “without saliva, the food does not get broken down enough and gets stuck to your teeth easier,” according to the site, noting that saliva also contains bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate which neutralizes plaque acidity and helps rebuild and restore tooth enamel. “without saliva, your mouth is much more at risk for developing cavities and experiencing tooth decay.” suggested solutions include chewing sugar-free gum or mints, brushing or flossing regularly and drinking lots of water all day to keep your mouth moist.

maskne . acne-like breakouts, rashes and other skin issues that happen as a result of wearing a mask is known as maskne . people who already have acne, rosacea or eczema may be more prone to these outbreaks. experts at john hopkins medicine recommend choosing masks made out of cotton or natural-fibre fabrics, and regularly washing them with unscented detergents. they also suggest ensuring the fit isn’t too tight, leading to the telltale ring around the mouth and nose area — and possible maskne — and taking frequent breaks away from the mask to allow the skin to breathe.

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