Are masks causing an increase in sore throats?

[YellowWave]

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.

@CornflakeMum Disagree. I am sure over time that, over time, research will show that surgical masks, worn properly and disposed of after each use will protect the public better than a fabric face mask. What I really can’t stand is the insinuation by many people that those who have problems with masks don’t give a dam about other people or Covid. I have sympathy for other people who feel that masks are causing illness. It’s not rocket science - bacteria causes infection. If you have bacteria close to your mouth, you are likely to breath it in, and in some people, they will get an infection as a result.

I bought loads of cotton masks but after I realised they were causing skin problems like regular acne type spots (I'm over 60) and veiny lesions, have changed to disposable. I only wear them when its unavoidable like shops, I dont go anywhere voluntarily that requires a mask. I think it may be detergent residues causing irritation, even tho i always have the extra rinse setting on the washing machine. I always rinse my face right away when I get home after wearing a mask. The disposable ones seem ok fingers crossed but I still rinse my face afterwards just in case. I notice my breathing a lot more in a mask - icy cold breathing in, hot moist breath out. Maybe the throat is another weak area? I haven’t had a sore throat but I'm only wearing the mask once a week for shopping.

Disagree. I am sure over time that, over time, research will show that surgical masks, worn properly and disposed of after each use will protect the public better than a fabric face mask.

But you're talking about two completely different things.

Surgical masks, worn in a healthcare setting, definitely protect healthcare workers better as they trap more of the larger droplets from aerosols coming from infected patients.

What you're talking about in a personal context is breathing in your own bacteria. If you feel more comfortable wearing disposable healthcare masks, sure, go ahead (although there are environmental issues and potential PPE shortage issues to consider).
However a dense, but breathable, fabric cloth mask will be more than sufficient for the member of the public who is practicing social distancing. Remember, masks are more about protecting others from YOU in case you have asymptomatic covid.