Can You Get a Sore Throat From Wearing a Dirty Mask?
Are you wearing your mask multiple times and not washing it? You could be causing more harm than good. Learn how to clean up your act with helpful tips from a family medicine physician.
Despite being an effective tool in slowing the spread of COVID-19, face masks can’t seem to catch a break these days.
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They fog up our glasses.
They cause some of us to break out.
They can be a source of anxiety.
Or they simply cause arguments among those who don’t like being told what to do.
And now, there’s one more thing to add to the list — sore throats. Some people have reported getting them after wearing their masks for longer periods of time — and not cleaning them. So, if you’ve been leaving that one mask in the car, wearing it over and over again and wondering why you keep getting a sore throat, keep reading to learn how to clean up your routine.
We know that we need to wash our hands regularly and clean high-touch surfaces and our living spaces thoroughly. So, it’s not totally surprising that a dirty mask can cause a sore throat. But it’s not the only thing. So, we asked family medicine physician Neha Vyas, MD, to explain why sore throats occur and how a germy mask and a few other variables can lead to them.
“Sore throats can be caused by viruses, bacteria or environmental irritants. They could also be caused by vocal strain (using your voice too much), dry air, or a condition called gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD,” explains Dr. Vyas. She adds that anyone can get sore throats, but people with weakened immune systems, allergy sufferers and those who use their voices often may be especially prone to them.
“Mask wearers often have to speak louder for others to hear. This may cause vocal strain,” says Dr. Vyas. “Other times, it may be from viruses or germs residing in unwashed or unclean masks, either from using them frequently without washing them or taking them on and off with unclean hands.” According to Dr. Vyas, dirty masks definitely make things worse because when you wear one, you end up breathing in bacteria or viruses that might be trapped in the mask.
“Try to limit the number of times that you touch or remove your mask,” says Dr. Vyas. And when we do need to remove our masks, she urges us to make sure that our hands are clean when we take them off or put them on.
Dr. Vyas says a sore throat can be treated with over-the-counter throat sprays or lozenges. Sometimes, an over-the-counter antihistamine or anti-inflammatory medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen could help if you are able to take these medications. But if you’re not sure why you’re experiencing a sore throat or getting one quite often, she stresses that it’s important to talk to your primary care doctor.
To reduce the chances of getting a sore throat because of a dirty mask, here are some helpful mask cleaning tips from the CDC.
You can wash your mask with the rest of your laundry. Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask. If you have sensitive skin, use a mild detergent.
This requires a few extra steps:
In the dryer — Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry.
Air drying — Lay flat and allow to completely dry. If possible, place the mask in direct sunlight.
“While wearing a mask might be perceived to be a hassle by some people, it’s important to continue to do so to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other germs,” says, Dr. Vyas.