Medical masks are commonly known as surgical masks. They are essentially used by health-care professionals to protect themselves and others from the expanse of airborne infectious diseases, bodily fluids, and particulate stuff. During an outbreak of an incurable disease, the health department may also recommend that members of the public wear surgical masks to protect themselves. These masks are usually prepared to be somewhat loose-fitting while being effective to completely cover both your nose and mouth.
Apply mask
Clean your hands: Before touching a clean restorative mask, wash your hands completely with both soap and water.
Once you apply soap to your wet hands, you should rub them together to wash them for at least 20 seconds before rubbing your hands.
Always use a clean paper towel to dry your hands, and then place that paper towel in the trash. Before you throw it away, you may want to use that paper towel to open/close a door after washing your hands.
Check the medical mask for defects. Once you have a new (unused) medical mask out of the box, check to make sure that it does not have any defects, holes or tears in the material. If the mask has defects, holes, or tears, throw it away and choose another new (unused) mask from the box.
#How To Wear
Orient the top of the mask properly.
To make the mask as fit as possible to your skin, the top part of the mask will have a bendable, but hard, an edge that can be molded around your nose. Make sure that this bendable side is upward before applying the mask to your face.
Ensure the proper side of the mask is outward.
Most medical masks are white on the inside, while the outside is of some type. Before applying the mask to your face, make sure the white part of the mask is on your face.
Apply the mask on your face.
There are several types of medical masks available, each with different ways of attaching the mask to your head.
- Ear Loops – Few masks have two ear loops on either side of the mask. These loops are normally made of an elastic material so that they can be stretched. Pick up this type of mask by loops, put 1 loop around one ear and then the other loop around your other ear.
- Ties or straps – Some masks come with pieces of cloth that are tied behind your head. Most masks with ties come with upper and lower ties or straps. Pick up the mask by the topside ties, place the ties around the back of your head and connect them with a bow.
- Band – Some masks come with 2 elastic bands that are placed behind and around your head (as opposed to around your ears). Grab the mask in front of the face, drag the top band over the top of your head and place it throughout the crown of your head. Then drag the bottom band over the top of your head, and place it at the center of your head.
Adjust the piece of the nose.
- Now that you have a medical mask on your head and face, use your index finger and thumb to pinch the bendable portion of the top part of the mask around the bridge of your nose.
- Tie a lower band of the mask if needed. If you are using a mask with bands that tie up and down, you can now tie the bottom band around the base of your skull. Because adjusting the bendable nose piece can affect the fit of the mask, it is best to wait until the nasal piece is in place before tying the bottom straps.
- If you have already tied the bottom straps, you may need to tie them again if needed.
Fit the mask under your face and your chin. Once the mask is completely secured, adjust it to ensure that it covers your face and mouth, and therefore the lower edge is under your chin.
Take off a mask
Clean your hands before you remove your mask, you may have to wash your hands depending on what you are doing with your hands. Or you may need to dismiss medical gloves, wash both the hands, then remove the mask.
Remove the mask carefully.
In general, remove the mask only by touching the edges, stripes, loops, ties, or bands. Do not touch the front of the mask which may be contaminated.
Ear Loops – Use the hands to hold the ear loops and remove them from around both the ear.
Ties/straps – Use your hands to tie the bottom straps first, then tie the top straps. Remove the mask, keeping it on top ties.
Band – Use your hands to bring the lower elastic band over and above your head. Then use your hands with the elastic band above. Remove the mask from the face while retaining the top elastic band.
Dispose of your mask safely.
Medical masks are designed to be used only once. So when you remove the mask, put it immediately in the dustbin.
There is likely to be a trash bin for bio-hazard items such as masks and gloves used especially in medical settings.
In a non-medical setting where the mask may be contaminated, place the mask inside a plastic bag. Close the plastic bag and then throw the plastic bag in the garbage can.
Wash hands again When you have disposed of the mask safely, wash your hands once to ensure that they are not clean and are not contaminated by touching dirty masks.
Understanding medical mask
Understand what a medical mask protects you from. The medical or surgical masks are designed to cover both your nose and mouth. They are designed with materials that can block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, and splitters; All of which may contain viruses or bacteria that may be harmful to you.
Small-sized jots, however, may still be able to stick a medical mask. And, because the medical mask is not sealed against your skin, the particles are also able to penetrate those openings.
Know the difference between an N95 respirator and a medical mask. The N95 respirator is a device used by health practitioners to block 95% of very small particles. Unlike medical masks, N95 respirators fit more securely on your face; and against your skin and can filter out airborne particles.
While an N95 respirator can block 95% of very small particles; 0.3 microns being considered too small – there is still a 5% chance that harmful particles can enter the respirator. N95 respirators are not designed for use by children or people with facial hair.