Wearing a mask will help you prevent respiratory diseases, as well as avoid spreading it to everyone around you if you are sick. See the best right way to wear a medical mask below.
How to put on a medical face mask
Wash your hands
Before touching a clean medical mask, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to remove bacteria. Once you have soaped wet hands, rub your hands together and wash them for at least 20 seconds before rinsing them off with water.
Always use clean paper towels to dry your hands, then put them in the trash. Before throwing away the tissue, you can use it to open / close the door after you wash your hands.
Check for defects (if any)
When you take a new (unused) medical respirator from the box, check it to make sure it does not contain any defects, holes or stains in the material. If the mask has any irregularities, throw it away and choose another new (unused) mask from the box.
Wearing the right way
In order for the mask to fit as closely as possible to your facial muscles, the top part of the mask with a contour is usually attached with a thin metal thread, when wearing, you should use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the metal thread in the shape nose shape, keeping the position of the mask exposed to nasal waves. The underside of the mask usually has a soft seamless line to ensure it is sealed against the chin.
Wearing the right side
The inside of the mask encounters your facial skin. The inside surface is usually paler and smoother, usually white, while the outer surface is usually dark (red, green, blue, …).
The outer surface is always exposed to bacteria, droplets, and dirt, so when you take it out and wear it again, you must never carelessly turn the outer layer in, close to your mouth and nose.
Wear it correctly
There are many types of medical masks available, each with different methods for putting it on your ears or head.
- Regular strap: Most masks have 2 ear loops on either side. These loops are usually made of an elastic material so they can be elongated. To put on a mask, put one loop around one ear and then put another around the other ear.
- Lanyard: Some masks come with threads tied around the back of your head. Put on the mask with the upper straps, put the bands around the back of your head and tie them together. If you want a sturdier mask, you can also tie the bottom strip around the base of your skull.
- Shawls: Some masks come with 2 elastic bands that are placed above and around the back of your head (as opposed to around your ears). Holding the mask in front of you, pull the bandage on top of the head and place it around the top of the head. Then drag the bottom strip on top of your head and place it at the bottom of your skull.
Ensure coverage
Make sure the mask covers both your nose and mouth to minimize bacterial infections. Use one hand to keep the upper part of the mask fixed and gently pull the lower part so that the lower part covers the chin.
2How to remove the face mask
Wash your hands
Similar to wearing a medical face mask, you should also wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before removing it. Washing your hands will help reduce the spread of bacteria when you use your hands to remove the face mask.
Remove the face mask carefully
Remove the medical face mask by touching only the edges, the strap. Do not touch the front part of the mask as it will spread bacteria.
- Regular straps: Use your hands to hold the ear rings and remove them from around each ear.
- Lanyard: Use your hand to first unscrew the bottom strap, then remove the top strap.
- Shawl: Use your hand to bring the bottom elastic band up and over your head, then use your hand to do the same with the top elastic band.
Throw away the face mask right after removing
When wearing a daily medical mask, you should note that it is best to use only once a day, not to reuse it many times. If you reuse activated carbon masks, you should reduce washing, the activated carbon layer will reduce its effect very quickly after washing.
Therefore, when you take off the mask, put it in the trash immediately.
- In medical facilities, there is usually a separate trash can for biohazardous items such as used masks and gloves.
- In normal environment, put the mask in a plastic bag. Tie the plastic bag tightly and then throw the plastic bag in the trash.
Washing your hands again
Once you safely throw away the face mask, wash your hands again to ensure they are clean and free from contamination by touching dirty masks.
Caution when using a face mask
- When wearing a face mask, never touch your hands, because hand gestures will inadvertently infect your hands with bacteria and other pathogens that can be passed on to yourself. and the people around them.
- Masks should not be placed in pockets, shirts, bags, which can cause them to become dirty, contaminated with bacteria that are harmful to your health when worn.
