Tips for Wearing Face Masks During the Summer Heat

Let’s face it, face masks are uncomfortable, but they are an important tool in helping to slow the spread of the Coronavirus that leads to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that all people wear cloth face masks while in public.

As stay at home orders ease and the weather warms up, more people are heading outside wearing masks to protect themselves and their communities. When worn properly face masks create a seal around your nose and mouth. According to Dr. Orit Markowitz of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, this seal “increases the temperature and humidity around your nose and mouth area,” which can cause difficulty breathing and dehydration.

According to Professor Noriyuki Koibuchi of Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, there are nerve fibers in the face that make it more sensitive to heat and cold than other parts of the body. Wearing high-grade masks during intense exercise can lead to oxygen deficiency. Medical experts are advising people to be extra vigilant when it comes to heat-related illnesses this summer.

University of Chicago scientists have tested a variety of fabrics that include flannel, cotton, polyester, synthetic and natural silk, and chiffon. Each fabric was first tested in a single layer. High thread count cotton was the most effective at around 80% protection. The fabric samples were even more effective when layered using a hybrid combination. Cotton and silk were the most effective showing a 90% protection rate. Tightly woven cotton stops particles from getting through gaps in fibers, while silk contributes an electrostatic charge that can trap particles.

Researchers conclude that the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a fabric mask is how it fits. Improperly fitted masks with gaps decrease mask effectiveness by over 60%.

When you’re choosing which face mask will work best in the Summer heat consider these tips:

• Use woven fabrics

• Avoid sponge-like material

• Use multiple layers of breathable fabric

• Avoid fabric that is treated with bleach or harsh chemicals

People need to let themselves acclimate to the heat after being inside for so long. This is something that will take time to get used to. It is best not to overdo it. It’s important to choose a breathable fabric when wearing a face mask while exerting yourself in humid weather.

We are protecting others in our community when we wear a face mask. When in doubt remember that anything covering your nose and mouth is better than nothing.