|  | Conditions Treatments | Allergies

Allergen Masks

Allergen masks, also called allergy masks or simply face masks, are designed to protect people from inhaling large amounts of particles that their immune systems are sensitive to. This prevents a wide range of allergy-related problems, especially sinus troubles and soar throats. While these masks can be made of different materials, there are common rating systems used to measure how effective they are. These masks can be worn indoors to protect against pet dander or outside to prevent against pollen and other allergies, as well as in a medical context.

  1. Allergens

    • Allergen is a broad term for any particle that causes an allergic reaction. In the house, allergens are often pet dander, dust, spores from plants grown inside the house and possibly fumes or construction particles. Outside allergens include pollen and other foreign substances. Allergen masks are usually designed to be worn outside, especially when working or engaging in physical activity that exposes the user to particles they are allergic to. In the workplace, other allergens such as chemical pollutants may be present and some workers are required to wear allergen masks as they work. Bacteria can also be considered an allergen.

    Other Uses

    • Allergen masks may also be used by those suffering other types of conditions, including asthma. Some asthma sufferers wear allergen masks to keep out the cold air as well as allergens. Cold air can also be dangerous to sensitive lungs, and the mask provides a barrier. Other masks are more complicated versions designed to keep out smaller viruses, such as flu viruses that may be present in crowded locales.

    Ratings

    • Allergen masks are typically rated using the N system, showing how many particles and what size of particles the masks can stop. One of the best versions is the N95, which keeps out 95 percent of particles 0.3 microns or larger in size (as long as the particles pass through the mask and not under it). Other masks are HEPA filter-rated for extra protection against all particles.

    Extra Features

    • The better the allergen mask, the better it will be at sealing the mouth and nostrils against exposure to outside air. This creates a minivacuum that can create heat and moisture which are not only unpleasant but can grow bacteria and make the mask slip. To solve this problem, some masks include minirespirators and ventilation valves that allow air inside to cool and dry the mask out.

    Materials

    • Allergen masks can be made of many different materials, but the best filters are typically made out of synthetic, plastic-based materials. Some masks use latex not in their filters but in their construction, but there are also latex-free versions for those who may be allergic to the material. Other filters often use carbon, which has very small pores that excel in blocking odor-causing particles and chemical compounds, while softer masks are typically made of cotton or silk, which do not filter out particles as well but are effective at blocking basic pollens.

Allergies - Related Articles