How Long Can You Wear a Disposable Face Mask For?

Wearing face coverings became essential along with washing hands or sanitizing them regularly as a pandemic sets in the new normal - throughout the year. With the stubborn rise and spread of the coronavirus, the use of these disposable face masks becomes inevitable, so they become quite a feasible option. The disposable face masks have certainly been the protective barrier to save us against splashes, sprays, large droplets, and basically, the splatter excreted from the wearer's mouth and nose. If we take an example, there are many types of face masks made in the USA that are lightweight, breathable, and more comfortable to wear, and wearing disposable face masks may bring in a few queries.

You may imagine disinfecting and reusing a disposable face mask or disinfecting the mask and keeping the protective layer intact. You might ask whether these disposable masks like N95 and surgical masks can be re-worn. Thus we want to reiterate the fact that disposable face masks are made for single use only. With a one-time use, one should also take care of the appropriate removal of these face masks. Let's check how we could safely remove, clean, and store a disposable face mask.

Things to consider while wearing disposable face masks

We all must know that disposable face masks are not the same as other surgical and medical face masks. A disposable face mask is likely to be worn in cases where it may get dirty or wet. Disposable face masks cannot be sterilized and reused, and so you need to bring an extra mask with you if you need to change your masks.

-Remember not to touch the front part of the mask.
-Remove by pulling the elastic ear straps or laces from behind.
-Dispose of it immediately in an infectious waste bin with a lid, followed by hand hygiene.
-You need to disinfect the frequently touched surfaces as well.

While looking at the considerations for wearing disposable face masks, one should know who should wear which type of mask, how to dispose of them, and the reuse and sterilization.

The type of masks suitable for different purposes!

With a wide variety of disposable face masks made in the USA, there has always been a significant variation in the quality, performance, and convenience of the different face masks. Not all types of face masks are categorized as a perfect protection against the contagious spread of the coronavirus. This categorization of people using different kinds of masks will undoubtedly surface a distinction between them. It, therefore, ranks them according to comfort, compatibility, breathability, and performance.

Who should consider wearing what?

-The cloth masks

They are the best fit for routine usage. Though not ideal for taking care of the serving patients, these masks are still better than just covering your nose and mouth. They are the perfect option for people who want it for routine usage. However, the use of a HEPA filter can increase its effectiveness. The cloth mask should be washed properly and more often.

-Surgical masks

These are the disposable loose-fitting masks made of polypropylene, which may be useful in blocking particle droplets, splashes, sprays which may contain germs, keeping them from reaching the mouth and nose. These masks should be taken off correctly. The masks are then needed to be folded so that droplets collected on them aren't exposed to the environment, infecting others. These masks should then be wrapped in a polythene bag and discarded.

-N95 respirator

 

Remember that you do not touch the inner part of the respirator while removing the masks. You should always wash and sanitize your hands immediately after removing the mask. Then it would help if you place the masks in a plastic bag or zip-lock bag. You can also store them in a container that has the passage of air. It may include a paper bag between uses. Secure the bag tightly. Place the plastic bag into a garbage can or biomedical waste disposal unit.

 

Conclusion

Face masks have become an integral part of our lives, seeing the current scenario. Wearing face masks has become a routine, and one cannot just forget to carry it. They are a protective guard that ascertains the fact that millions of lives are saved every day. These disposable face masks have been our true companions for over nine months now. Most masks, however, are disposable and made for one-time use only. The ideal way to wear and dispose of face masks is to not be in use once the masks' inner lining gets moist. One can rarely sterilize most of the masks. Whether a cloth mask, respirator, or surgical mask, they all have their limitations in terms of their usage concerning the process of washing, disinfecting, drying, and reusing. So you can easily find these disposable face masks anywhere, whether offline or online retail stores.