Is a Mask That Covers the Mouth and Nose Free from Undesirable Side Effects in Everyday Use and Free of Potential Hazards?

Abstract

Many countries introduced the requirement to wear masks in public spaces for containing SARS-CoV-2 making it commonplace in 2020. Up until now, there has been no comprehensive investigation as to the adverse health effects masks can cause. The aim was to find, test, evaluate and compile scientifically proven related side effects of wearing masks. For a quantitative evaluation, 44 mostly experimental studies were referenced, and for a substantive evaluation, 65 publications were found. The literature revealed relevant adverse effects of masks in numerous disciplines. In this paper, we refer to the psychological and physical deterioration as well as multiple symptoms described because of their consistent, recurrent and uniform presentation from different disciplines as a Mask-Induced Exhaustion Syndrome (MIES). We objectified evaluation evidenced changes in respiratory physiology of mask wearers with significant correlation of O2 drop and fatigue (p < 0.05), a clustered co-occurrence of respiratory impairment and O2 drop (67%), N95 mask and CO2 rise (82%), N95 mask and O2 drop (72%), N95 mask and headache (60%), respiratory impairment and temperature rise (88%), but also temperature rise and moisture (100%) under the masks. Extended mask-wearing by the general population could lead to relevant effects and consequences in many medical fields.

Self-Perceived Voice Handicap During COVID19 Compulsory Facemask Use: A Comparative Study Between Portuguese and Spanish Speakers

“…Habitual loud speech is well known to increase the risk of phonotrauma; however, such risk has not yet been completely understood with regard to facemask use during the pandemic. From a recent systematic review on effects of facemask use on different dimensions, effects on perceived vocal health are described to be assessed in only one study 18 . This was an investigation on the prevalence of self-perceived voice handicap during COVID19 outbreak in Chile, measured by means of the short version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10).…”

COVID-19 Pandemic: Effect of Different Face Masks on Self-Perceived Dry Mouth and Halitosis

“…Potential health-related side-effects of wearing face masks are discussed. Recent systematic reviews addressed potential side effects and discomforts concerning the use of community masks, medical/surgical masks and FFP2/N95-masks with regard to a risk-benefit analysis [4,5]. Kisielinski et al [5] found a significant effect of face masks, especially N95-masks, on the blood-oxygen depletion and symptoms of fatigue.…”

“…Recent systematic reviews addressed potential side effects and discomforts concerning the use of community masks, medical/surgical masks and FFP2/N95-masks with regard to a risk-benefit analysis [4,5]. Kisielinski et al [5] found a significant effect of face masks, especially N95-masks, on the blood-oxygen depletion and symptoms of fatigue. The use of masks was also associated with headache, exertion, concentration problems and breathing difficulties [4,5].…”

“…Kisielinski et al [5] found a significant effect of face masks, especially N95-masks, on the blood-oxygen depletion and symptoms of fatigue. The use of masks was also associated with headache, exertion, concentration problems and breathing difficulties [4,5]. Wearing N95-masks was also reported to increase facial skin temperature, humidity, heat, breathing difficulty and general discomfort compared to surgical masks [5,6].…”

“…The use of masks was also associated with headache, exertion, concentration problems and breathing difficulties [4,5]. Wearing N95-masks was also reported to increase facial skin temperature, humidity, heat, breathing difficulty and general discomfort compared to surgical masks [5,6].…”