Face masks are generally used in protecting people against airborne particles or liquids that can cause infections. A medical mask can be the regular surgical mask (know more) also known as a face mask or an N95 mask. If you need facial medical masks, welcome to inquire us at Trendebut.
N95 masks or respirators are
regulated by the OSHA and NIOSH. There is a difference between an N95
respirator and a disposable surgical
mask. In this post, we will show you the difference between other
important pieces of information.
N95 respirators
The CDC (Center for Disease
Control) has put it forward that an N95 respirator should not be used by just
anyone. This kind of mask is to be used by professionals in the medical field
alone. Members of the general public should not make use of an N95 respirator
when seeking protection from respiratory conditions.
The recommended way of avoiding
infection by viruses that cause respiratory diseases is better hygiene. A
perfect example is a recommendation for avoiding coronavirus, a plague that is
putting the world on its toes currently. By better hygiene, we mean washing
hands with water and soap as well as staying away from infected zones.
Just so you know, there isn’t an
additional health benefit from wearing an N95 respirator. It is a professional
gear that may even put one at more risk if not used properly.
Surgical masks
Again, the CDC has reiterated that
wearing face masks is not the best protection against respiratory diseases such
as COVID-19. In simple terms, a surgical
mask is a disposable loose-fitting device worn over the nose and mouth.
It is worn to protect the wearer from potential contaminants, especially those
that are airborne.
A disposable surgical mask should
not be shared. These devices are also known as medical, dental, or isolation
masks depending on the occasion of use. In some cases, they come with face
shields, and sometimes, they don’t. While surgical masks are mostly referred to
as face masks, not every face mask is seen as surgical.
Surgical masks have different
thickness levels that provide different levels of protection from liquids. The
thickness is also a determinant of how freely you can breathe while having the
mask on. One more thing the thickness does is determine the level of protection
you enjoy from wearing the mask.
When you wear a medical mask properly, it helps to
protect you from large airborne droplets. You should take note that a disposable surgical mask doesn’t offer
sufficient protection against small particles. Examples of small particles, in
this case, are droplets that result from sneezes, coughs, or other medical
procedures. This is why the CDC warns against using these masks as a precaution
against coronavirus.
Never forget that surgical masks
are meant for single-use after which you dispose of them. As soon as you notice
soiling, damage, or difficulty in breathing, dispose of the mask. After
disposal, wash your hands thoroughly then put on a new mask. The best way to
dispose of a mask is to put inside a plastic bag before dropping it in the
trash.
Comparing N95 respirators to
Surgical masks
N95 respirators and surgical masks
are intended for different uses and thus are regulated by the FDA differently.
In this section, we will take a look at the differences and similarities
between both devices.
We have already told you that
surgical masks are loose-fitting and disposable. They act as a barrier between
the nose and mouth of a person wearing one and the immediate environment. As a
result, they are seen as potent in protecting harmful airborne droplets.
It is important to note that
surgical masks have loose edges. What this implies is that they don’t seal up
the areas around the mouth and nose perfectly.
An N95 respirator, on the other
hand, was designed to fix the seal-up flaw. These respiratory devices have a
closer fit to the face than a disposable
surgical mask. The implication of this is better and more efficient
protection from airborne particles. Due to this fact, N95 respirators are
recommended for medical use and are more common within the confines of
medicine.
Despite the differences enumerated
above, there are a few similarities between both devices. Some of them are
stated below:
- Both
devices should never be reused or shared for whatever reason. - They
are usually tested for filtration efficiency, fluid resistance,
biocompatibility, and flammability.
As you will expect, an N95 respirator presents better test results
than a medical mask. This is why
they are seen as specialized because it takes a bit of training to make use of
respirators properly. For this reason, there are specific precautions that you
must take when using an N95 respirator. We will discuss these in the next
section of this post.
General Precautions guiding the use of N95 respirators
We begin this section with a salient truth, not everyone can use
an N95 respirator. If you have chronic cardiac or respiratory conditions, you
need medical advice before using one. This is also the case if you suffer from
any disease leading to breathing difficulties.
The reason for this is that an N95 respirator is tight-fitting and
can make it more difficult to breathe. A few models come with exhalation valves
that help to make breathing easier. The valves also create a reduction in heat
build-up. It is important to note here that the exhalation valves should never
be used when there is a requirement for sterile conditions.
Never forget that no matter how potent your respirator is, it was
designed for one-time usage. Once you notice damage, soiling, or difficulty in
breathing, remove the mask and dispose of it properly.
People who have facial hair and children are advised not to make
use of N95 respirators. The reason for this is that it doesn’t fit perfectly
with children and individuals having facial hair.
Conclusion
By now, you know that there is a difference between an N95
respirator and a surgical mask.
A disposable surgical mask is
less potent in protecting an N95 respiratory. However, a medical mask shares a few similarities
with a respirator.