The use of masks is one of the main strategies to prevent infection by Covid-19. Proper fit requires full coverage of the nose and mouth for the most effective face protection.
The pieces are produced in different sizes, which leads to the search for adjustments, with the aim of giving a better fit close to the face. Among the tricks are the use of gauze, tying the rubber bands next to the ears or gluing the edges of the mask directly to the face with masking tape.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge in England revealed that the use of first aid tape and nylon stockings significantly improved mask fits. The research results were published in the scientific journal Plos One.
Learn how to improve mask fit
The Covid-19 pandemic popularized the use of masks which, until the beginning of 2020, remained restricted to hospital and laboratory environments in much of the world.
At a time when the highly transmissible Ômicron variant becomes predominant in the world, experts recommend the use of more effective masks to stop the transmission of the new coronavirus.
In the study, researchers at the University of Cambridge tested different tricks to tighten face shield adjustments, including:
- Seal the edges with masking tape;
- Fill in the gaps with first aid gauze;
- Attach the mask to the face with gauze (like a mummy);
- Press the mask on the face with pantyhose;
- Tie knots around the ears
- Use rubber bands to create a kind of armband.
Two types of masks were tested: KN95 and surgical. For both types of protection, socks and tape were the most effective strategies to improve fit, although there were significant variations between participants.
Socks helped produce a tight fit, but participants reported discomfort. Although the tape did not cause any discomfort when wearing the mask, the discomfort arose when the piece was removed.
According to researcher at the Cambridge Engineering Department, Eugenia O’Kelly, first author of the article, discomfort proved to be a major problem for most adjustments.
“The rubber bands, for example, tended to put painful pressure on the ears and face, to the point of hampering circulation to the ears. However, using an effective but uncomfortable trick may make sense in some high-risk situations where the discomfort is worth the added protection, but it would be more difficult to use these tweaks day in and day out,” Eugenia said in a statement.
According to the study, most hospitals and healthcare facilities supply surgical masks and KN95s in various sizes, and teams perform “fit check” routines before starting work to ensure the masks are properly fitted.
However, in some cases only a few sizes are available and therefore individuals used different techniques to improve the fit. “We’ve seen a lot of evidence of people using adjustments to their masks to better fit their face shape, but we wanted to validate whether any of these tricks actually work, as very little research has been done in this area,” Eugenia said.
Scientists performed qualitative and quantitative fit tests, with and without the fitting techniques, on four participants in order to test effectiveness.
Qualitative testing is usually measured by spraying a flavored compound. In the test, the user is asked if they can feel the essence of the compound while wearing the mask. In the quantitative test, which is much more accurate, the concentrations of particles inside and outside the mask are measured.
“We hope that these results can be used in the design of future masks to ensure that they fit as closely as possible to the face, for as many users as possible, without making them uncomfortable,” said the researcher.
Check out guidelines from the Ministry of Health in the face of the diagnosis of Covid-19
Source: CNN Brasil
