Everything You Need To Know About Medical Masks

Medical masks or face masks are individual protective equipment that people can wear. They protect against exposure to airway pollution. They are made of a filtering material, and have a nose attachment, as well as an elastic band to attach the mask.

Furthermore, some of them have exhalation valves. In fact, the valve makes it easier to breathe and prevents condensation. These masks are made to be used for a long time.

Types of medical masks

There are two types of medical masks:

Surgical bandages

These masks  protect other people. This is because they filter the particles when you breathe, which prevents them from reaching the outside.

High-efficiency FFP masks

This type of mask  protects the user. They filter particles in the environment so that the user does not inhale them.

They come in different shapes, depending on the design. They can also be conical, horizontal or vertical. In addition, depending on the efficiency, they can be class 1, 2 or 3. This depends on how well they filter out pollutants in the environment.

• FFP1:  78% filtration efficiency, environmental concentrations of up to 4 TLV ( Treshold Limit Value ).
• FFP2: 92 % filtration efficiency, environmental concentrations of up to 12 TLV.
• FFP1: 98 % filtration efficiency, environmental concentrations of up to 50 TLV.

How do I use medical masks?

What is the best mask depends on the risk factor. However, before and after using medical masks, be sure to wash your hands. Put on the mask before entering the contaminated area  and take it off when you get out of there. In addition, you need to make sure that it fits well so that you get the best possible protection from it.

It is also important to change to a new mask after using one, in case it has become wet or damaged in other ways. It is also a good idea to change the mask occasionally if you breathe a lot, as moisture builds up and prevents it from filtering as well.

What types of medical masks should you use?

You should wear surgical masks when going from one activity to another, as well as when moving from one environment to another.

FFP2 masks should fit the shape of the face  so that they completely cover the nose and mouth to protect the mucous membranes. You must also make sure that you use them in accordance with isolation measures and precautions for people with infectious diseases. FFP3 masks are used when there is a risk of being exposed.

How to take the masks off and on

It is important that you know how to put on the masks so that you can protect yourself properly. However, it is also important to know how to remove them. If you do not do this properly, you can get sick.

To put on the mask

To apply the mask properly, do so before entering a contaminated area. Follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands and check the expiration date. There must be nothing wrong with the mask.
2. Now you can put on the mask. Make sure you think about the order in which you wear the protective equipment  if you use several parts. This is the order: suit / coat, head protection, trousers, mask, goggles and gloves.
3. Adjust the mask properly  and protect yourself. If you are wearing glasses,  you must remove them to put them on and adjust the mask. After this you can put on the glasses again.

How do I put on the mask correctly?

1. Hold the mask with both hands,  with the nose clip on top. Form the clip by folding it gently in the middle, and open the mask by pulling on the lower edge.
2. Put the mask under the chin and place the elastics over the head.
3. Move the lower elastic under the ears, and the upper towards the top of the head.
4. Finally, shape the nose clip with both hands to fit the shape of your nose.

How to remove the mask

To remove the protective equipment, there is also a specific order: gloves, goggles, trousers, head protection and suit / coat. When outside the contaminated area, remove the mask. Then make sure you put it in the correct container. Wash your hands thoroughly.

Conclusion

There are several different medical masks to protect us, which filter out harmful particles from our environment. Precisely because of this, it is important to choose the right and to put it on properly. Not all masks are useful, and some may even work against their purpose.