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Original poster

Are masks causing an increase in sore throats?

53 replies

YellowWave · 30/09/2020 14:46

I am not a big fan of masks. I find them hard to breathe in. I think it might get worse in the winter time going into shops with heating on.

I usually minimises the situations in how often I wear a mask. For example I do an online grocery shop once a week or once every 2 weeks. I might go to my local shop once a week. That would only be for a quick visit in and out. I wear a mask then. I eat out maybe twice a week with my par3and we wear masks from the door to our tables and going to the toilet. I haven't used public transport since January. I do a lot of my shopping online.

How I treat my masks:
They are fabric masks. I boil a kettle of water. I use a salad spinner and hand-wash them with a scent less detergent. I soak the masks. Rinse, rinse, rinse. Spin in the salad spinner and hang to dry. When they are dry, each mask gets a new and clean ziplock bag.

I found I came down with a sore throat on Sunday. I wore some masks on Saturday. I'm one establishment, the heatomg was on amd it was very, very warm. I nearly fainted.

My doctor said there's loads of people presenting with sore throats and it's from the masks she was saying.

OP posts:
QueenBlueberries · 30/09/2020 14:48

You saw your GP because of a sore throat?

Buckwheat80 · 30/09/2020 14:49

Seems possible. I don't wash mine very often and it's usually stuffed in my pocket the rest of the time, so I can see how I'd pick stuff up from it. Definitely had a couple of mild sore throats recently.

lasangoles · 30/09/2020 14:50

Yes, especially if you don't wash them between uses, or if you suffer badly from allergies. Did you go to your GP for the sore throat or for another reason?

LiveFromHome · 30/09/2020 14:52

I've had a sore throat on and off for about 2 months, I've put it down to wearing a mask.

I'm barely going anywhere that requires a mask now unless I absolutely have to.

candycane222 · 30/09/2020 14:53

Eating out is one of the higher risk activities for Covid - but I know that's not really why you are posting. I find talking, white / rose wine, and the fungal spores that are prevalent at this tie of year and block my nose (leadng to sleeping with mouth open) all give me a sore throat. But maybe masks do to.

Not sure why you are sealing them up in a bag though? If they weren't 100% dry they might go a bi musty - that would give you a sore throat, for sure. I just hang them on a hook by the door so we can pick a clean one up on the way out...

QueenBlueberries · 30/09/2020 14:54

I wear a mask on and off 5 days a week and the only time I've had a sore throat is when the heating came on this week. I reckon its the heating, it dries up the air and I have the same problem every year. I'll get used to it. It's not the mask for me.

Original poster
YellowWave · 30/09/2020 14:54

I'm being very careful with masks.

I had an online consultation with my GP. I generally don't go to the doctor over a sore throat but with all the covid thing that's going around. She said I need to be aware of a cough/fever/loss of taste and smell for covid.

OP posts:
lasangoles · 30/09/2020 14:56

You had a sore throat with no other symptoms and you called your GP? What a waste of their time!

WoodenFox · 30/09/2020 14:56

I've had sinus ache since I started wearing a mask. I only work pt and do quick top up shops once a week. Husband does main food shop. So I'm not wearing one a lot, but it's definitely causing problems I didn't have before. And regular headaches.

redbushtea · 30/09/2020 14:56

Very likely. Masks prevent efficient circulation of fresh air. Breathing in your exhaled carbon dioxide can't be good for you.

Original poster
YellowWave · 30/09/2020 14:57

I make sure they are dry because I am paranoid about mould.

Yeah, I think I'm going to cut out the dinner/breakfast dates with the partner.

OP posts:
Original poster
YellowWave · 30/09/2020 14:58

The place I was in on Saturday was very warm and stuffy.

OP posts:
Original poster
YellowWave · 30/09/2020 15:02

I very rarely go to the doctor. Only when I absolutely have to. That would be about once or twice a year. I do my best to battle through whatever I might be experiencing at any time.

With the whole covid thing, I rang and I got an online consultation, in case it turned out to be covid but she put my mind at ease and told me the other symptoms to watch out for.

OP posts:
KingaRoo · 30/09/2020 15:02

How could wearing a mask give you a sore throat? As in, scientifically?

lasangoles · 30/09/2020 15:03

Even if you have got covid you don't need to speak to your GP. You just get a test and self isolate if positive. There are criteria for when you need a test online.

lasangoles · 30/09/2020 15:04

@kingaroo accumulation of particles (especially if you have allergies) which are then breathed in. Would think it's more likely in people who don't wash their masks and particles/bacteria have built up on the mask.

minipie · 30/09/2020 15:05

DH has had a sore throat all week and has barely worn a mask or left the house. He’s caught it from our DC. There are loads of colds going round at the moment OP, much more likely to be one of those than from the mask.

KingaRoo · 30/09/2020 15:05

Particles of what?

BunsyGirl · 30/09/2020 15:06

I believe that masks can causes throat problems if, like me, you are susceptible to bacterial tonsillitis. I have been ill for a number of weeks now and am just about to start my second dose of antiobiotics. I have changed from fabric to single use surgical masks as I think the fabric ones are a breeding ground for bacteria. I am now avoiding going anywhere that I need to wear a mask but, unfortunately, I need to wear one for the school run.

TheEndisCummings · 30/09/2020 15:06

I have a terrible sore throat. I am a fervent mask wearer. No idea if connected!

CornflakeMum · 30/09/2020 15:07

Your method for washing etc sounds rather labour intensive! Why not just sling them in the laundry with the other washing and a bit of biological powder?

Best advice I heard was to treat them like underwear - have plenty and change them daily or if they are wet or dirty!

lasangoles · 30/09/2020 15:07

@kingaroo dust, allergens, cold viruses, pollen particles etc

BunsyGirl · 30/09/2020 15:08

And yes, I do speak to my doctor when I have a sore throat and no other symptoms because it’s usually bacterial tonsillitis and I need antiobiotics!!!

ncd5785 · 30/09/2020 15:09

I went out for the first time in a while yesterday, I wore a disposable mask and today I've got such a dry mouth. I think it happened the few times I've been out before. They are uncomfortable but it has to be done

Original poster
YellowWave · 30/09/2020 15:16

I like to keep masks separate. I don't want to put them in with a sock wash or a knicker wash. I separate all my laundry like that.

I don't like using a biological washing detergent with the masks. I do with my other laundry. Not on the masks because it does leave a smell. I could use a biological detergent and rinse well followed by a scent less detergent.

It's not very labour intensive. It's once a week job.

OP posts:
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