How long can you wear one medical mask

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

A medical mask that covers half of the face has become a real symbol of 2020. This personal protective equipment, which helps prevent infection and the spread of COVID-19, can be used by absolutely everyone. However, when choosing a product, you need to know how long you can wear one medical mask: with a valve, made of gauze, made of fabric, disposable, reusable.

What mask can become a reliable barrier against viruses

After many studies, epidemiologists have concluded that disposable medical masks are best used to create a filtering barrier to prevent airborne infections from entering the respiratory system.

Now such filtering dressings are made of three-layer SMS material: spunbond - meltblown - spunbond. Thanks to this technology, masks have good absorption properties and do not allow biologically active liquids to pass through.

In addition, many manufacturers, in order to improve the protective properties, perform additional processing of the product:

• outside - a water-repellent layer;
• filter with antibacterial composition;
• inner layer with moisture-absorbing properties.

As for reusable masks, according to doctors, these funds are not able to protect the human body from viruses and infections. After all, a fairly humid atmosphere forms between the face and the mask, in which bacteria can rapidly multiply.

Even after washing and ironing the product well, one cannot be sure that all microorganisms are removed from the filter layer. Treating with an antiseptic, keeping a mask under a quartz lamp or in a microwave oven is also pointless.

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Simple rules to know

Today, a large number of different products are presented in pharmacies and stores, which are sold as remedies. Roskachestvo warns that only products labeled FFP3 (Russia) or N99 (USA) can protect against coronavirus infection.

There are three main factors to consider when choosing a medical mask:

1. Comfort - the product should fit perfectly in size and fit snugly to the face. The best earloop option is a flat elastic.
2. Filtration - three layers: hydrophilic, hydrophobic and filter layer.
3. Breathability - special folds (corrugation) that regulate the degree of tension of the mask and help prevent the material from touching the lips.

How long should you wear a mask

It is not enough just to choose a good medical mask, but you need to use it correctly:

• you cannot reuse a disposable product;
• in contact with personal respiratory protection, hands should be washed with soap or disinfected with an antiseptic;
• if the mask gets wet from nasal discharge or just from breathing, it must be replaced immediately.

Manufacturers, summing up moisture, cleanliness and physical activity, answered the question for how long one medical mask can be worn.

Valve respirators

• Price: from 150 rubles.
• The level of protection is up to 70%.
• Where to apply: in case of probable contact with infected with coronavirus.
• How long can a medical mask with a valve be worn: up to eight hours.

For many people, it is quite difficult to breathe in such protective equipment for a long time. Therefore, valve respirators are not recommended for people with respiratory or cardiovascular problems.

Gauze bandage

• Price: from 10 rubles.
• Protection level: up to 20%.
• Where to apply: premises.
• How long can you wear a medical gauze mask: up to two hours.

The simplest option of protection, which can be used only in the absence of direct contact with a sick person.

The gauze bandage can be reused with appropriate disinfection (quartz sterilizers, boiling or special disinfectant solutions).

Neoprene mask

• Price: from 100 rubles.
• Protection level: up to 30%.
• Where to apply: premises, public transport.
• How long can a reusable medical mask be worn: up to three hours.

A protective mask made of synthetic hypoallergenic material (neoprene) is able to stop moisture and block the escape of heat. That is, from the outside, a person is well protected, but inside, on the contrary, an unwanted moist environment is formed.

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Double layer sheet mask

• Price: from 20 rubles.
• Protection level: up to 30%.
• Where to apply: premises, public transport.
• How long can a medical cloth mask be worn: up to three hours.

Such a barrier means of protection quickly gets wet from breathing and becomes a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogens.

Disposable masks

• Price: from 15 rubles.
• The level of protection is up to 40%.
• Where to apply: clinic, hospital, public transport, crowded places.
• How long can you wear a disposable medical mask: up to two hours.

Such a mask must be changed frequently, it quickly picks up moisture and becomes a breeding ground for microflora. A medical device that has been treated with an antibacterial agent can be worn for up to 3-4 hours.

Summarize

1. Medical masks are needed to protect a healthy person from people with an infection in the immediate vicinity.
2. Modern disposable medical masks are made from absorbent material.
3. Cloth and gauze masks are called barrier protectors.
4. The main rule when wearing masks is the timeliness of their replacement.