Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago conducted an online survey of 501 adults with asthma to better understand the extent of, and the problems related to, mask use in the era of COVID-19. Many people with seasonal allergies are struggling right now, trapped in a vicious cycle of coughing, sneezing, wheezing and itching. Wash your face first: Dirt and oil on your skin will get trapped under the mask and can cause breakouts. 8 key skin care tips to protect your face from irritation. Ultimately, masks are an essential tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, and theyre completely safe even for people with a history of sinus infections. Keep in mind that theres no evidence that wearing a mask makes you [sicker]. Fauci: Double masking against mutant coronavirus just makes common sense.. Mendez said this keeps flowering pants like ragweed a major source of allergies alive and well. The majority of sinus infections occur during the winter months, but certain factors during summer can also lead to sinus infections or at least symptoms that people might mistake for a sinus infection. Using a prescription nasal spray may be a treatment option as well. Our content is fact checked or reviewed by medical and diet professionals to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound nutrition and diet advice. I noticed after wearing a mask when I doordash or do Instacart, my sinuses hurt so much, I haven't door dashes in the past three days. (People are being hit the hardest in Scranton and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Wichita, Kansas; McAllen, Texas; Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, according to AAFAs latest report on allergies.). AAFA also recommends using a HEPA air filter to purify the air in your house. On top of that, the first freeze we typically see each fall is happening later in the year. Other than that, you can do whatever you can to fight against climate change it looks like our allergies are only going to get worse. Required fields are marked *. Use a nasal rinse with normal saline (isotonic saline). (2020). According to allergists, its not just you. On the other hand, Crosby hasnt noticed an increase in summer sinus issues in her region. more frequently and opting for daily disposable contacts can also help relieve itchy, watery eyes. Her writing can be seen in Business Insider, Insider, Lonely Planet, Fodors Travel, and others. If this sounds like you, you might be wondering whats going on. Cockroaches. (2021). Likewise, you dont need to wear a mask when youre home alone or with the family members who live in your house. Many people find that a surgical mask is most comfortable. However, we saw an increase in indoor allergies as people added dogs or cats to their household and spent more time at home. Fairfax, VA 22030 Irritants like strong odors, smoke, and weather changes can trigger nasal (nose) symptoms. Israeli researchers recently studied how much difference wearing a mask could make for allergy sufferers with mild, moderate and severe symptoms. We know that dry air and cold air sometimes has the ability to elicit a reaction in the nose, he said. Reusable cloth masks may cause potential skin irritations because of the detergents and fabric softeners used to wash your cloth mask. Raw, irritated skin: Apply petroleum jelly to irritated spots on your face . "There are generally three types of masks we think about . Reports of sinus symptoms getting worse with mask usage are likely due to perceived discomfort. The mask should cover your mouth and nose without pressing tightly on them. For some people, breathing pollen-laden air can cause: All of this can bring about sinus issues. Heres the deal and how to find some relief: Year over year, were finding climate change is a major factor in worsening symptoms for spring and fall pollen seasons, said Kenneth Mendez, the CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The mask should be easy to wash and breathable. How to avoid long COVID: These 5 factors are key to preventing severe infection, Elon Musk expects his fleet of Tesla Optimus Bots to think, solve problems on own like his cars, Best Female Comedians Of All-Time: Top 5 Funniest Ladies, According To Experts, Best Chicken Noodle Soups: Top 5 Brands Most Recommended by Experts, Best Heavy Metal Bands Of All Time: Top 5 Legendary Rockers, According To Experts, Best Places to Live in London: Top 5 Locations Most Recommended by Travel Experts, Its going to get much harder to breathe in the future heres why. We treated a 60-year-old Black man with adult-onset eczema, contact dermatitis and chronic nasal allergies in our clinic after he presented three times to our hospital emergency room because of an uncomfortable face rash, says allergist and ACAAI member Yashu Dhamija in a media release. "Cotton material is considered to have better ventilation and will trap less of the moisture that builds up from breathing and sweating," reports CNet. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends masks for the general public. "The acne people are experiencing due to face masks is small pimples, like rosacea," says Northwestern Medicine Dermatologist Walter J. Liszewski, MD. This could be contributing to the perception of allergies being worse than usual, said Stephanie Leeds, a Yale Medicine pediatric allergist and immunologist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine. Allergy season is now 10 days longer than it was in 1990, and trees, grass and weeds are producing 21% more pollen. Of course, face masks dont protect your eyes. John Leung, MD, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and an allergist and gastroenterologist at Tufts Medical Center, fills us in. Home remedies can often treat sinus drainage. Use a Reusable Face Mask: If you are allergic to disposable masks and tried every . If you are particularly sensitive, limit your time outdoors on poor air-quality days. Pollens & other allergens can build up on the surface of masks. Research shows that sinus issues arent worsened by masks. Wearing a face mask is an important way to lessen the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Research shows they dont block droplets from your mouth or nose. Talk to a doctor if your allergy symptoms are severe. The mask should cover your mouth and nose. There are other ways we can help. In fact, masks can protect against triggers of sinus infections, like airborne allergens and viruses. Learn more about how to choose the best face mask here. ", before wearing a mask," reports CNet. Dont use makeup in areas covered by the mask. Patel VM, et al. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing a cloth mask after each use. The dust in your home may contain pollen as well as a cocktail of year-round allergens - pet hair and dander, mold and dust mites - that could make your allergies . But the fact that mask wearing, which covers the nose and mouth, was associated with improvements in nasal symptoms, but not eye irritation, suggests that masking probably did help reduce many allergy symptoms. "We think this is due to mask-wearing and limited . Or try a different size or brand of mask. If you have any concerns about the accuracy or timeliness of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing [emailprotected]. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. (2020). If you take away the exposure, the tolerance wanes. Allergists quickly connected the patients face mask to areas of his face suffering from dermatitis. The experiments found that wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask can reduce exposure by about 95%. Pollens & other allergens can build up on the surface of masks. I didn't mention to her that I wear a mask, and . "Wearing a face mask makes the exhaled air go into the eyes," wrote Antonio I. Lazzarino, Medical Doctor and Epidemiologist, of the University College London, in a letter to the journal BMJ about the side effects of face masks. Wearing a mask is our new normal and its the right thing to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our clinical staff noted that many patients said that wearing masks seemed to worsen their sinus symptoms and, in some instances, brought about new symptoms. Or is it all in your head? Heres the deal and how to find some relief: Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in pollen counts on a yearly basis, and this is due to global warming and an increase in CO2, which we know plays a role in higher pollen counts, said Payel Gupta, an allergist and immunologist and medical director of the at-home allergy clinic, didnt appear until April or so, delaying pollen-producing plants from blooming. "(Masks should be worn) in addition to the evidence-based, strong recommendations that are already in place around physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and frequent disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces," Dr. Marcia Anderson, medical officer of health at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, tells, "They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. single Bradley Hayward, MD, pulmonologist, Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, New York. The recent (and earlier) warm weather were seeing this year and in the past few years is to blame. ", Finding the right fit starts with using the right cloth. The study is being presented at the ACAAIs Annual Scientific Meeting. We also told him to use cotton-based, dye-free masks without elastic. It can cause dry, red and itchy skin. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to wear a face mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, some people felt that wearing a mask reduced . You might also want to hold onto your face mask a bit longer. If you are allergic, wear an N95 filter mask while dusting, sweeping or vacuuming. Although the findings suggest that wearing a mask can reduce allergy symptoms for some people, the researchers noted that more study is needed. She recommends patients change their clothes when they get home and shower before sleep, to ensure that pollen doesnt stick to their skin, and wash reusable masks frequently. While wearing a face mask is important, choosing the type of mask is just as important depending on what triggers your asthma specifically. Using masks to alleviate allergy symptoms can require a bit of trial and error, said Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at N.Y.U. The. In one 2020 study . Even for seasonal allergies, masks arent a great long-term solution. 800-878-4403, Stay in the Know with News in Your Mailbox, 2023 Allergy & Asthma Network | All Rights Reserved. Allergic rhinitis is not the same as sinusitis. A fabric mask should have two layers. Fact: There are certain times when its safe to take off your mask. Climate change can contribute to increased pollen and warmer temperatures. You might also want to hold onto your face mask a bit longer. Thats a myth, too. But does that actually mean that masks are causing sinus issues? Claim: Wearing a mask will weaken your immune system, leading to the 'next wave' of coronavirus outbreaks once lockdowns lift. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Many people with seasonal allergies are struggling right now, trapped in a vicious cycle of coughing, sneezing, wheezing and itching. / The moving air dries out the tear film, a thin layer of fluid covering the eye's surface. The contents of this website do not constitute advice and are provided for informational purposes only. Anecdotally, Gogu notes, I have seen an uptick [of sinus infections] in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. However, he believes this is due to the summer heat, humidity, and rain, rather than masks. Wash and change your mask frequently. If you have AC, set it to nonrecirculated air. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester or rayon are more likely to irritate your skin. Moisturizers add a protective layer that can reduce the dryness that comes from wearing a face mask. "Not to mention, the foundation can also rub off on your mask, leading to decreased air filtration, making it harder to breathe. He has lectured at national and international medical conferences and has publications in several medical journals, including Clinical Immunology, World Allergy Organization Journal, Journal of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, The Journal of the American Medical Association, and the New England Journal of Medicine., 1235 South Clark Street Suite 305, Arlington, VA 22202, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. If we dont slow down the climate change cycle, pollen production will only intensify, Mendez said. Alek Korab is a Co-Founder and Managing Editor of the ETNT Health channel on Eat This, Not That! But until the pandemic is over, you should still wear a mask when youre around people who arent part of your household. "I suggest trying to wear the mask at home [for short periods] to get used to the . Lets take a closer look at the connection between masks and your sinuses. The tissue will absorb the warm, moist air, preventing it from reaching your glasses. If you're allergic to that chemical, those masks could spark a breakout. 4. It's not your imagination: Allergies are worse this year than previous years. However, it can lead to sinusitis in some cases. Likewise, toss surgical masks after every use. Thats because youll be exposed to fewer virus particles, which could make your illness less severe. With all the bad, you can find some good.. Irritation and infections have been on the rise, and while the exact mechanisms behind many of the problems are still being researched, it is known that the pressure of the mask, the type of fabric, and the way the mask fits can all contribute to these side effects. If you have a red sore rash where your mask has contact with your face, keep in mind that almost all mask reactions are irritation from friction rather than an allergic reaction to the mask materials. You shouldnt be suffering needlessly.. However, engaging in improper mask hygiene practices can lead to other health issues far . To stop masks being turned into alternative transmission . Ray C, et al. Its important to note that allergies dont necessarily indicate a sinus infection unless the mucosal lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. every day. More and more parts of the country will start to have people having trouble with sinuses as the planet warms up, Gogu says. In a South Korean study, laundering cotton sheets at 140F killed . The review also noted that the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) has linked climate change to an increase in the intensity and duration of pollen season. It should not be so loose that it moves around and rubs against your skin. As for yourself: To get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID. I tried over the counter (OTC) nasal allergy sprays but they irritate me. Reactive rhinitis is non-allergic rhinitis. The mask should not be so tight that it presses against your skin. All Rights Reserved. But now it's unbearable. possibly because the pollen is worse, or because there are more people outdoors due to relaxation of the pandemic restrictions." During the pandemic, her patients had fewer asthma flare-ups than in past years, Cohn said. Certain fabrics may be more irritating. Langone Health. Increase moisturizer use on your face after wearing a mask most of the day. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If your hands are contaminated, you are infecting yourself. . Do not wear a second mask with a KN95 mask, the alternative to the professional-grade N95 masks. Second, avoid touching your . If your nose is clogged, and you have facial pressure, breathing can feel difficult. The Rx: Be sure to stay six feet away from someone when talking to them. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Learn more about the. If this is not helpful, you can try a nasal spray/rinse with hypertonic saline. , a Yale Medicine pediatric allergist and immunologist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine. I bought a bunch of N-95s at the start of things and noticed I wasn't even having any trouble with allergies which used to just kill me (cedar fever). If you take away the exposure, the tolerance wanes. Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer that is best for your skin type.