Do Wearing Face Masks Cause Headaches?
DO WEARING FACE MASKS CAUSE HEADACHES?
Covid-19 continues to be a persistent presence in our lives after months of movement control measures. The advice to "wear a face mask" is heard daily, especially now that many businesses, schools, markets, and borders have reopened.
Wearing face masks (surgical or cloth) is not a cultural norm in Malaysia. Kudos to all of us; 95% of our population wears face masks when going out in public. This honorable action by the entire Malaysian population is undoubtedly contributing to lower confirmed Covid cases and indirectly explaining the lower death toll caused by the virus.
Wearing masks in Malaysia's hot and humid conditions can be unbearable. Here are common complaints I've heard:
"I can't breathe well; I inhale my own carbon dioxide, causing dizziness and headaches."
"Wearing a face mask causes headaches."
"I'm experiencing redness and acne on my face due to wearing a face mask."
What has been your experience?
Here are the facts I've found:
Issue no. 1: "I can't breathe well..."
For children under 2 years old, disabled individuals who cannot remove face masks themselves, and those with breathing difficulties, it is not encouraged to wear face masks. They may need to consult their doctors before wearing one. However, due to existing issues, those exposed should make an effort to isolate themselves to prevent virus transmission; thus, they may not necessarily need to wear face masks.
For everyone else, wearing surgical/cloth face masks in public will not result in breathing less oxygen or more carbon dioxide. Dangerous levels of carbon dioxide cannot accumulate inside the mask, and you will not breathe in toxic levels of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has been proven to flow out of the mask, and fresh air can enter when you breathe. If the type of mask you wear makes you short of breath, please change it to a different type or brand. Mask quality is paramount. Buy from reputable sources. Find a safe place to remove your mask if needed. Wearing face masks is more important than not wearing them. However, wearing N95 masks is not necessary if you are not dealing with patients, and you do not need to wear an N95 mask while exercising.
Issue no. 2: "Wearing a face mask causes headaches."
My observation is that wearing a face mask can lead to reduced consumption of water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and other beverages. We are aware of not touching the mask after wearing it, and as a result, we may experience headaches due to dehydration or possibly due to caffeine withdrawal from a lack of daily coffee and tea intake. If you wear an N95 mask with a face shield for work, recent research indicates that wearing them together for an hour or more may cause headaches. N95 masks are designed to fit the size of our faces, limiting airflow. However, there is no reason for the general public to wear them long-term.
Issue no. 3: "Face masks cause skin redness and acne."
Wearing any type of tight-fitting face covering will inevitably cause continuous friction on your face, along with trapped breathing and moisture, leading to skin infections, clogged oil glands, and acne. The new term 'Maskne' has been coined to describe the appearance of acne after wearing face masks. Wearing a mask every day is undoubtedly new to most people. As a result, we inadvertently play with our face masks, touch our faces with dirty hands, and subsequently cause irritation and inflammation on our faces. Again, try wearing a face mask/covering made of different materials to find the most suitable one for your skin. Wash cloth covers daily and replace surgical masks when they become damp. Use our Redness Corrective Balm (a.k.a. Couperose in Switzerland) before and after wearing a mask. Our Redness Corrective Balm contains niacinamide, which is anti-inflammatory, along with hydrating and protective ingredients such as calendula, rosehip oil, and soy protein to strengthen and heal the skin.
Wearing face masks in public places is at least something everyone can do to stop the spread of Covid-19. Protect your skin with our Redness Corrective Balm so that you can wear a face mask on your face for the long term. Alongside wearing face masks, adhere to new norms, including practicing social distancing and always washing your hands. We hope to hear stories from you...
1. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/07/most-malaysians-wearing-face-mask-in-public
2. https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/does-wearing-face-mask-increase-co2-levels
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320501#symptoms
4. https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20200407/ppeassociated-headaches-increase-among-health-care-workers-amid-covid19
Covid-19 continues to be a persistent presence in our lives after months of movement control measures. The advice to "wear a face mask" is heard daily, especially now that many businesses, schools, markets, and borders have reopened.
Wearing face masks (surgical or cloth) is not a cultural norm in Malaysia. Kudos to all of us; 95% of our population wears face masks when going out in public. This honorable action by the entire Malaysian population is undoubtedly contributing to lower confirmed Covid cases and indirectly explaining the lower death toll caused by the virus.
Wearing masks in Malaysia's hot and humid conditions can be unbearable. Here are common complaints I've heard:
"I can't breathe well; I inhale my own carbon dioxide, causing dizziness and headaches."
"Wearing a face mask causes headaches."
"I'm experiencing redness and acne on my face due to wearing a face mask."
What has been your experience?
Here are the facts I've found:
Issue no. 1: "I can't breathe well..."
For children under 2 years old, disabled individuals who cannot remove face masks themselves, and those with breathing difficulties, it is not encouraged to wear face masks. They may need to consult their doctors before wearing one. However, due to existing issues, those exposed should make an effort to isolate themselves to prevent virus transmission; thus, they may not necessarily need to wear face masks.
For everyone else, wearing surgical/cloth face masks in public will not result in breathing less oxygen or more carbon dioxide. Dangerous levels of carbon dioxide cannot accumulate inside the mask, and you will not breathe in toxic levels of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has been proven to flow out of the mask, and fresh air can enter when you breathe. If the type of mask you wear makes you short of breath, please change it to a different type or brand. Mask quality is paramount. Buy from reputable sources. Find a safe place to remove your mask if needed. Wearing face masks is more important than not wearing them. However, wearing N95 masks is not necessary if you are not dealing with patients, and you do not need to wear an N95 mask while exercising.
Issue no. 2: "Wearing a face mask causes headaches."
My observation is that wearing a face mask can lead to reduced consumption of water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and other beverages. We are aware of not touching the mask after wearing it, and as a result, we may experience headaches due to dehydration or possibly due to caffeine withdrawal from a lack of daily coffee and tea intake. If you wear an N95 mask with a face shield for work, recent research indicates that wearing them together for an hour or more may cause headaches. N95 masks are designed to fit the size of our faces, limiting airflow. However, there is no reason for the general public to wear them long-term.
Issue no. 3: "Face masks cause skin redness and acne."
Wearing any type of tight-fitting face covering will inevitably cause continuous friction on your face, along with trapped breathing and moisture, leading to skin infections, clogged oil glands, and acne. The new term 'Maskne' has been coined to describe the appearance of acne after wearing face masks. Wearing a mask every day is undoubtedly new to most people. As a result, we inadvertently play with our face masks, touch our faces with dirty hands, and subsequently cause irritation and inflammation on our faces. Again, try wearing a face mask/covering made of different materials to find the most suitable one for your skin. Wash cloth covers daily and replace surgical masks when they become damp. Use our Redness Corrective Balm (a.k.a. Couperose in Switzerland) before and after wearing a mask. Our Redness Corrective Balm contains niacinamide, which is anti-inflammatory, along with hydrating and protective ingredients such as calendula, rosehip oil, and soy protein to strengthen and heal the skin.
Wearing face masks in public places is at least something everyone can do to stop the spread of Covid-19. Protect your skin with our Redness Corrective Balm so that you can wear a face mask on your face for the long term. Alongside wearing face masks, adhere to new norms, including practicing social distancing and always washing your hands. We hope to hear stories from you...
1. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/07/most-malaysians-wearing-face-mask-in-public
2. https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/does-wearing-face-mask-increase-co2-levels
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320501#symptoms
4. https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20200407/ppeassociated-headaches-increase-among-health-care-workers-amid-covid19
Dec 11,2023