The Correct Way to Use a Face Mask

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Wearing a surgical face mask frequently makes people feel protected and reassured. Further, if face masks provide protection from infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, is there a proper way to put it on, take it off, and throw it away?

What does a surgical face mask do?

In a surgical mask, your nose can be covered by a metal strip at the mask's head that can be squeezed to seal it around your nose. An elastic band can be circled behind your ears or tied behind your head to hold the mask in place.

A three-layer surgical mask can prevent the spread of bacteria from the hand to the face from dropping, spraying, or splattering.

What is the proper time to wear a face mask?

WHO suggests only using surgical masks if:

  • Have a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms.
  • Wear a mask when you and the person you are caring for are within 6 feet of the one who has respiratory disease.
Although a surgical mask can trap more respiratory droplets, it cannot protect you against SARS-CoV-2. That is because surgical masks:

  • Airborne particles should not be filtered out.
  • Do not wear the mask so snugly that airborne particles spill into the mask through the sides of the mask.
A few studies disagree that surgical masks prevent exposure to infectious diseases in the community or open settings.

The CDC does not recommend that hospitals and healthcare workers wear surgical masks or N95 respirators to prevent respiratory sickness. These tools are in short supply, and are difficult to obtain.

The CDC encourages the general public to wear cloth face masks during COVID-19 outbreaks, and gives instructions on how to make your own.


How to use a surgical mask

If you must wear a surgical mask, follow these steps for putting it on correctly.


Steps to applying a face mask

  • Before applying the mask, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Check for wear and tear on the face mask, for instance, tears or broken circles.
  • The colored side of the mask should face outward.
  • Ensure the mask's metallic strips are at the head of the mask and located against the nostril extension.
  • If it has:

Ear loops: Place one loop over each ear and hold the mask by both ear loops.

Ties: Hold the mask by the upper strings. Tie the top strings securely in a bow close to your head's crown. Tie the base strings firmly at the back of your neck in a bow close to the scruff of your neck.

Double elastic bands: Pull the top band around your head and align it against the crown of your head. Position the baseband over your head and align it against your scruff of your neck.

  • By squeezing and pressing down on the bendable metallic uppermost strip, you can shape it to your nose.
  • Pull the mask's base over your lips and jaw.
  • Make sure it fits comfortably.
  • Do not touch the mask once it is in place.
  • Replace the mask if it gets dirty or damp.

How not to use a surgical mask

When you place the mask safely, there are some precautions to consider to ensure that you don't infect your face or your hands with pathogens.

Don't:
  • Hang it from one ear.
  • Confuse the ties.
  • Once the mask's been checked all over, contact it to make sure it doesn't have pathogens on it.
  • Wear the mask around your neck.
  • Reuse disposable masks.
When contacting the mask, wash your hands first. Wash your hands again shortly afterward or use hand sanitizer.


How to take a surgical mask off and throw it away

It's imperative to eliminate the face mask completely so you don't spread germs to your hands or face. You should also ensure the mask gets disposed of securely.


How to take off a face mask

  1. Before disposing of the mask, wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer.
  2. Hold the mask by the circles, ties, or bands only, and do not touch the mask itself, since it could be infected.
  3. Remove the mask carefully once you:
  • Unhook both ears.
  • First untie the main bow. Then untie the base bow.
  • Remove the baseband first by lifting it over your head, then also the top band.
     4. Holding the mask in place by the bands, ties, or circles, place the mask in a covered trash  can.
     5. After taking off the mask, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands thoroughly.


What is the N95 respirator?

N95 respirators have been designed to fit your face perfectly. Because they don't have any gaps, airborne particles cannot enter.

N95s can filter smaller airborne particles as well.

A good N95 needs to fit your face perfectly. Healthcare practitioners who provide direct patient care undergo fit testing every year by certified professionals to ensure their N95 fits comfortably.

For the most part, an appropriately fitted N95 respirator filters pathogens more effectively than a surgical mask. N95-targeted respirators that are carefully tested and confirmed can filter 95 percent of microscopic particles.

However, according to the FDA, the general public should not use N95 respirators to protect against respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. These respiratory devices are not able to filter through tiny particles that cause illness.

According to the FDA, the best way to prevent contamination is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The organization suggests frequent hand washing and social etiquette.

In 2016, a systematic review and meta-analysis found no noteworthy differences between N95 respirators and surgical masks when used on healthcare workers to prevent transmission of acute respiratory infections.

The JAMA journal published a randomized clinical trial in 2019.


What is the best way to limit infection?


If you have respiratory illness, you're better off staying away from others. The same goes for a virus.

The WHO suggests the following to lessen your risk of infecting others with the virus:

  • If you can't approach soap and water, use a hand sanitizer containing at any rate 60 percent alcohol.
  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often for as long as possible.
  • The CDC recommends a minimum of six feet between you and others.
  • Do not touch your face, mouth, or eyes.
  • Rest at home.
  • Keep a strategic distance from public places until you have recovered completely.

Summary

Surgical masks may protect against larger airborne particles, but N95 respirators provide greater assurance against smaller particles.

Wearing and removing face masks effectively could prevent you and those around you from getting sick or contracting pathogens.

Although face masks may prevent the spread of some illness-causing organisms, recent studies have shown that not all pathogens can be protected from exposure by face masks.
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