Mashable article When it comes to keeping cool, we all need a way to do that.
A mask can help keep our skin warm and dry without causing a full-blown allergic reaction, but it’s not a panacea for your allergies.
Here are five ways you can get your skin to work better with a mask, whether you have a sore throat or a skin allergy.
1.
Use a mask to keep your nose clean.
If you don’t have a mask handy, consider using a mask as a last resort.
Most of us don’t need a mask for a cold or other sore throat, and we’ve all been there.
A quick scrub with a mild antibacterial cream or water, and you’ll be ready to go.
Just don’t expect a mask-free nose to feel much better than it does when you’re feeling better.
And while the mask is a good first step, if your nose is already sore or irritated, you may be able to get the mask to work without too much effort.
The only real benefit of this method is that it keeps your nose and mouth feeling cleaner than it did when you weren’t wearing one.
But you may need to take it a little longer to feel that relief.
If the soreness persists, a topical antibiotic or nasal spray may help.
2.
Get a mask that has a barrier.
If your mask has a thin layer of fabric between the mask and the nose, you’re less likely to get a full, full-body rash.
Plus, your mask will help keep your skin warm by absorbing moisture.
Plus you’ll have more air to breath through, which can help your skin feel better.
(If you’re having trouble finding a mask without a fabric layer, check out our list of the Best Face Masks.)
3.
Put on a mask while you’re sleeping.
If it’s cold and you have an allergy, your best bet for keeping your face cool is to sleep with a face mask.
It’s easier to breathe through, and your skin doesn’t have to feel like it’s aching.
The mask won’t actually stop your body from cooling down when you sleep, but you won’t have any other cold-related symptoms while you sleep.
And your mask doesn’t block the air from entering your nose, which makes breathing even easier.
If this sounds too good to be true, consider that a recent study showed that mask use was associated with an increased risk of asthma and other respiratory problems in the elderly.
You can also opt for a mask with a foam liner instead of a fabric mask.
4.
Use your mask for breathing and skin care.
If a mask isn’t helping, you can use it as a breathing mask, too.
When your mask is full of air and it gets really cold, you’ll breathe through it more easily and more deeply than when you wear a regular mask.
That means your mask can also help cool you down during the day and help keep you cool during the night.
This way, you won, too, if you want to avoid sneezing or coughs.
And since you’re not using your mask as much as you might with a regular face mask, you might find your nose gets better as well.
The downside to using a face-mask to keep you from getting a full body rash is that you can feel the mask in your nose when you do need a little extra relief.
5.
Use the mask for skin care or exercise.
While you may not want to go this route, there are some things you can do to make sure your mask isn’s a good fit for you.
Try a mask before exercising.
If something triggers a rash, such as an allergic reaction or sore throat that’s been aggravated by a cold, it’s probably better to take a mask and then take a cold shower.
And if your sore throat is causing the sore throat to worsen, you should take a warm shower to help relieve the irritation.
Also, if the sore head has become inflamed or irritated from wearing a mask during a cold weather event, you could use a mask in between cold-weather activities.
If wearing a face or face-covering mask does cause discomfort or irritation, you need to try changing the mask every so often.
If there are any allergic reactions or sore throats, talk to your doctor about what to do next.
If they think you’re allergic, you probably should stop wearing your mask.
If so, it’ll be a while before your mask’s effectiveness is completely gone.