Do Masks Make You Sick?

Despite being an effective tool in slowing the spread of COVID-19, face masks can’t seem to catch a break these days. They fog up glasses, they can be uncomfortable to wear and some people just don’t like being told that they must wear one.

But can wearing a mask make you sick? Not in the way that you might think. However, a few common mask mistakes can lead to some annoying circumstances. We’ll get to those shortly. First, let’s clear up a major mask myth.

Masks don’t cause you to inhale more carbon dioxide

During the early days of the pandemic, social media scientists claimed that wearing masks would cause us to breathe in too much of the carbon dioxide that we exhale. While we know that inhaling a lot of carbon dioxide is dangerous, it’s not possible to do so while wearing a cloth or disposable face mask.

However, keep in mind that masks can be dangerous for those who are unable to remove them on their own. Children under 2 years of age, people living with breathing conditions or those who are unable to remove a mask without assistance shouldn’t wear one.

The CDC also says if a mask would impose risk to a person’s workplace health, safety or job duties as determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) workplace risk assessment, they’re exempt from the requirement to wear a mask.

Side effects of wearing a mask

It’s easy to find reasons to justify not wearing a mask when you don’t want to put one on. Despite the opposition, one thing is clear: Wearing a mask won’t put your life in danger. However, you might have to contend with a few aggravating things if you’re not careful.

Can a face mask cause a sore throat?

No, you won’t get a sore throat as soon as you put on a mask. Now, if you’ve been wearing the same mask — for days — it’s possible.

Family medicine physician Neha Vyas, MD, says that a number of things can cause sore throats.

“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.”

While anyone can experience sore throats, people with weakened immune systems, those with allergies and those who use their voices often may be especially prone to them.

How dirty masks lead to sore throats

Dr. Vyas says that viruses or germs residing in unwashed or unclean masks can possibly cause sore throats. If you’re wearing that mask that’s been in the car for weeks, stop. When you wear a dirty mask over and over again, you end up breathing in bacteria or viruses that might be trapped in the mask. That’s why you should toss cloth masks in the wash after every use.

“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.

How wearing a mask could contribute to vocal strain

“Mask wearers often have to speak louder for others to hear. This may cause vocal strain,” says Dr. Vyas.

When it comes to talking while wearing a mask, louder isn’t better. Instead of yelling, raise your voice slightly. Then, speak slowly and clearly. And don’t forget to enunciate the beginnings and endings of words since masks tend to muffle everything. Doing this will help you save your voice.

Why masks might cause maskne?

Masks trap in a lot of hot air when we breathe or talk. They also create a warm, humid environment which is an ideal setting for yeast, bacteria and other flora, such as demodex (types of skin mites that naturally live on our skin), to grow. Bacterial imbalances and friction from masks can promote acne, trigger rosacea flare-ups and cause fine pimples and pustules to appear around the nose and mouth. So if you’ve been wondering why you’ve been experiencing more breakouts, here’s your answer.

Can wearing a mask cause anxiety?

For people who live with anxiety disorders or claustrophobia, it can. Some might experience psychological responses to wearing a mask while others may experience physical symptoms like shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, sweating or a rapid heart rate.

There are things that people can do to manage mask anxiety.

• Wear your mask at home. Doing so might help you get used to the feeling of having one on. You can start by wearing it for short periods of time and then build up to longer periods.
• Add your favorite scent. Aromatherapy scents can make the mask more tolerable to wear. They can also help make the experience more calming overall.
• Challenge troubling thoughts. Medical professionals have been wearing masks for decades with no adverse effects. Keeping that in mind, along with the fact that you’re protecting yourself from COVID-19, might help put you at ease.
• Work with a mental health professional. If you’ve tried a few things and your mask anxiety still won’t ease up, reach out to a mental health professional. They may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to make this stressful task easier for you.

How to clean cloth face masks

To reduce the chances of getting a sore throat because of a dirty mask, here are some helpful mask cleaning tips from the CDC.

How to wash your mask in a washing machine

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.

How to wash your mask by hand

This requires a few extra steps:

Before you start, check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection.

Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area.

1. Prepare a bleach solution. Use a bleach containing 5.25% to 8.25% sodium hypochlorite and mix it with room temperature water. Don’t use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified. And don’t use bleach that is past the expiration date and never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
   You can mix either: 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) of 5.25% to 8.25% bleach in per gallon of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons of 5.25% to 8.25% bleach in per quart of room temperature water.
2. Soak your masks in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.
3. Discard the bleach solution down the drain and rinse your masks thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.
4. Make sure to completely dry your masks after washing. Use the highest heat setting and leave them in the dryer until completely dry or let them dry on a flat surface. If possible, place them in direct sunlight.

Despite the possible “side effects,” wearing a mask is still a good way to protect yourself against COVID-19

Yes, a lot of the conditions that were covered can be frustrating to live with or manage. But they’re nowhere near as bad as contracting or spreading COVID-19 to our loved ones, friends or neighbors.

“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.