Woman with mask in front of cherry treePhoto: Leungchopan (Shutterstock)

When you are fully vaccinated, you can look forward to using your masks less and less now The CDC has said that fully vaccinated Americans can do without masks in many situations. However, if you have allergies to dust or pollen, it may be worth keeping them close.

Pollen particles vary in size, with some wind-borne tree and grass pollen only 10 to 20 microns in size. To give a sense of scalability, N95 masks got their name as they filter out 95% of the particles that are 2.5 microns in size. Since pollen is significantly larger than the droplets and particle masks filter out, it means these masks are useful barriers to pollen and similar allergens. Such are surgical masks and many types of cloth masks. Regardless of which mask you wore to protect against COVID-19, it is likely to be effective against allergens as well.

Allergy sufferers during the pandemic have noted Her patients had an easier time managing allergy symptoms when they wore masks outdoors (during pollen season) and in other areas where airborne allergens (such as dust) may be present.

If you want to use a mask to help prevent allergy symptoms, choose one that offers good filtration (such as a multi-layer woven cotton mask or a surgical or N95 mask) and wear it so that it snugly against your face is applied. For example, if there are gaps between the mask and the sides of your nose, you can suck pollen-filled air through them.

The mask is not a perfect solution to your seasonal problems as some allergens can still irritate your eyes and skin, but it is likely to help a lot with those you would otherwise breathe. And if you have asthma allergies in addition to your asthma, you might (like me!) Find that wearing a mask on cool days can help prevent the wheezing that comes with it exercise-induced asthma. Even if you’re not having any allergy issues right now, save these masks for the cool weather and ragweed pollen you might come across this fall.

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