How to wear a mask correctly?

Choose a mask of suitable size.

When wearing masks, put the mask close to the face, and meanwhile squeeze the aluminium pieces on both sides of the nose with the fingers of the left and right hands to reduce the air leakage around.

Disposable medical masks have both an inside and outside, the light colored side has a moisture absorption function. it should be closer to the mouth and nose, while the dark colored side should face outward.

Take an N95 mask as an example: the side with the logo should be outward and the side with the sheet metal should be inward.

After putting on the mask, you should avoid touching it. If you touch the mask, wash your hands before and after removing it. When removing the mask, you should try to avoid touching the outside of the mask, and wash your hands immediately.

How to avoid skin damage caused by wearing masks?

Choose a relatively suitable mask, such as a mask with wide edges because its partial pressure is relatively small.

You can choose the lace up type instead of the ear hook because the former one’s pressure is lower.

People with sensitive skin need to read the instructions before use to check whether the mask contains ingredients that cause skin allergy.

Change the wearing position of the mask every 2-3 hours properly to reduce the partial pressure.

Preventive dressing can be used in advance at the places with frequent pressure.

If the mask has been used repeatedly or continuously for over 6 hours, you should change it.

What to do after the mask causes skin damage?

Mild indentation does not need treatment.

If the indentation is heavy, or partial subcutaneous ecchymosis occurs, you can use external ointment to improve the blood circulation of the skin, such as mucopolysaccharide polysulfonate ointment.

If redness, swelling, and ulceration appear, external antibiotic ointment can be used. You can also use bandages or medical dressings to avoid further irritation of the wound.

If the skin becomes soft, white or wrinkled, you can use a moisturiser containing zinc oxide or Vaseline before wearing the mask to reduce the irritation of sweat and local friction on the skin.

After removing the mask, you need to clean the skin and properly use some emollients to improve its condition.

If the injury is serious, and the serious infection or allergy occurs, you need to see a doctor.

How to dispose of used masks?

Masks worn by healthy people do not have a risk of spreading the COVID-19 and can be disposed of based on the household waste classification.

The masks worn by people with suspected or confirmed infections may not be discarded casually. They should be treated as medical waste and must not enter the circulation market.