A face mask, or masking tape, is a tape application used to dress up or mask the mouth. Originally, face masks were only applied by professional nurses to patients who were unresponsive to normal dressings or masks. Face masks can also be used to protect children during routine vaccinations.
A surgical mask, commonly referred to as a “smoker’s face”, is a tape application to cover the nose and mouth. Face masks that cover the entire face is very difficult to apply in some situations because they will cover the entire patient’s mouth. Therefore, surgical masks are often attached to the patients upper arm. Most surgical masks are very thick; usually composed of a clear vinyl laminate, with small holes or pores in strategic locations for ventilation and for movement of surgical implements. These small holes or pores are also a breeding ground for bacterial spores that can cause serious health problems.
There are two main types of face mask: one is a “full face mask”, which cover the entire face, including the nose, chin, and ears; and the other is a “part-face mask”. A full face mask, often called an “enlarged face mask”, can be used to conceal large areas of the face. Because an “enlarged face mask” must cover the entire nose, lips and ears, the cost of this type of mask is usually more than that of a smaller “part-face mask”. A “full face mask” also has the disadvantage of trapping tiny hair follicles underneath the skin, creating a “halo” effect around the edge of the mask. This problem can be solved by either removing the hair completely or by using a separate hair piece that covers the area of the hair loss. Another disadvantage of a full face mask is the difficulty in finding a hair color that matches the mask color.
Nose and Ear Masks: Although considered to be part of the face, these masks sometimes serve a dual purpose. The primary purpose is to protect the skin of the nose and ear from infection, while allowing air to freely flow through the nose and ears. In addition, certain surgical masks may include a “curette” which fits inside the nostrils or under the nose to hold the mucus in place so that it does not fall out. Other types of nasal and ear molds can include a variety of specialized materials such as silicone, silicon gel, silicon carbide, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or polypropylene (PPE).
One of the most common problems associated with face masks is social distancing. Social distancing occurs when you become embarrassed or awkward when your friend or co-worker asks you to wear a particular mask. Although you may have tried other methods to hide your symptoms, such as thick, white lenses, a scarf or a stuffed toy, sometimes all you have available are your own face masks. If you have trouble breathing when you need it most, the result could be breathing difficulties when other people start asking you questions about why you have difficulty breathing. This type of social distancing could potentially prevent you from getting the medical attention that you badly need should you experience difficulty breathing while driving, during an aerobics class, or during any other activity where you experience serious discomfort due to poor breathing.
Fortunately, most people can avoid social distancing by simply wearing a simple, inexpensive face shield when they are out in public. A face shield can be worn underneath a scarf or hat to cover your nose and mouth. It can even be worn over glasses to eliminate the need for eyewash or rinse before you enter the water. Face shields are affordable and are available at most drugstores. When used properly, they provide excellent protection from both dust and sand, as well as making it difficult for others to see your face while simultaneously increasing your visibility to others.