Do masks help allergy sufferers?

The masks people wear to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are also good at filtering out pollen and other allergens floating in the air. Masks can be really helpful for people with allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma who develop symptoms after inhaling allergens.

Even before COVID-19 caused everyone to start wearing masks, some patients with seasonal allergies used them on days with extremely high pollen counts or while doing yard work. Pollen grains can be as small as about 10 microns, but surgical masks can trap particles as small as 3 microns. Other surgical masks may be more effective. Even cloth masks, which most people wear in outdoor Settings, can make a difference, especially those with multiple layers of fabric.

Allergies are essentially an overreaction of the immune system to things that don’t pose a threat. For example, when pollen comes into contact with mucus membranes in the nose, the immune response produces inflammation, which leads to nasal congestion, sneezing and excess mucus. If you can prevent allergens like pollen from getting into your nose, you won’t have this reaction.

Of course, masks do not protect your eyes. If you suffer from allergic conjunctivitis (eye irritation), the benefits of wearing a mask to cover the nose and mouth may be reduced.

With so many people wearing masks outdoors this year, we’re seeing fewer seasonal allergies reported by patients. However, as people add dogs or cats to their homes and spend more time at home, we see an increase in indoor allergies. Our house is where most people don’t wear masks, and more and more patients are seeking treatment for allergies to animals, dust and mold.

Even for seasonal allergies, masks are not a good long-term solution. Many people with allergies also have skin conditions such as eczema or acne, which can be made worse by wearing masks for long periods of time. The most effective way to treat allergies is allergy shots or immunotherapy. After several years of treatment, this can actually cure the allergy, not just the symptoms.