Is wearing a mask for pollen effective against seasonal allergies?
- Studies have shown that wearing a mask can reduce allergy symptoms.
- Pollen particles are larger than his COVID-19 particles, so a mask designed to protect against COVID-19 will also help protect against allergens.
- If you’re primarily dealing with eye allergies, masks won’t make much of a difference.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives. Masks have become an important part of our trips outside the home, as wearing them can protect us from infection.
Wearing a mask also gives you a bonus. It turns out that masks designed to protect you from infection can also protect you if you suffer from seasonal allergies.
Here, we explain what seasonal allergies are and whether masks can help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms.
What is Seasonal Allergy?
It is estimated that up to 60 million people in the United States suffer from allergic rhinitis (hay fever). This type of allergy occurs when a person is exposed to airborne substances (such as pollen) that occur only at certain times of the year. When a person with allergic rhinitis comes into contact with an allergen, the immune system mistakenly perceives it as a threat and initiates an immune response. You may experience sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
Recent studies have shown that wearing a mask for pollen can relieve symptoms in seasonal allergy sufferers whose nose, throat and sinuses overreact to allergens such as pollen particles.
Think of the word “allergy.” You’re probably thinking of coughing, sneezing, wheezing, maybe some rashes. That’s it, right?
Turns out, allergies are far more bothersome than that. Let’s take a look at pollen and airborne allergies in particular…
An estimated 10–30% of the global population is affected by allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) and 300 million people worldwide are affected by asthma. Childhood asthma rates in the United States grew 2X from 1980 to 1995. The increase rate slowed down after that, but the number of cases haven’t dipped. Pollen season, in particular, is getting longer and more intense due to climate changes – bad news for anyone with a pollen allergy.
Airborne allergens like pollen and dust tend to multiply seasonally, which means there are certain times when sensitive individuals will need extra protection to deal with allergies. Popping medication frequently isn’t always the only option, especially when non-medical alternatives exist and are easily available.
To start with, let’s have a look at some of the most common airborne allergens.
Common Airborne Allergens
- Pollen and spores
- House dust mites
- Animal dander
- Work-related particles such as wood dust, flour dust, etc.
In Europe, the most prominent allergens are:
Spores and leaves from trees (such as hazelnut, alder, birch, ash etc.)
Grass
Weeds (especially ragweed)
What’s more, pollen count and other particles causing allergies tend to spike in certain seasons.
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From March to June – increased tree pollen count
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In June, July and August – high grass pollen count
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From the end of August to October – heavy weed pollen count
How Allergies Hurt Athletes
How does all this allergy information affect athletes? Obviously, allergies are irritating (on their best days). To athletes, allergens can be serious impediments.
Given that they are more often outdoors to train, they are more exposed to pollen and other airborne allergens than the average person. During exercise, sports people have increased respiratory activity, which means more allergens will enter their system.
If an athlete is prone to pollen allergies, their respiratory tract will be double triggered. Thus, their performance will be affected due to the accompanying symptoms.
Recent data indicates that 32% of endurance athletes are more likely to suffer from allergic conditions. This is especially true of athletes and allergic rhinitis at 44% of athletes.
Let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms of allergies:
- Itchy nose, roof of your mouth, throat, and eyes
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Tearing eyes
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Chest pain
People allergic to pollen are usually also vulnerable to allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergy). According to Yale Medicine allergist Florence Ida Hsu, MD, “You’ll find people with allergies getting recurrent sinus infections, and both can lead to respiratory symptoms, asthma, and bronchitis.”
According to Katelaris et al., 2000, allergic rhinitis inhibits and impairs physical performance of professional athletes by disturbing their sleep, reducing the ability to focus and overall affecting physical fitness negatively. The same study also concluded that athletes are more prone to asthma. In the survey of 214 athletes, representing 12 Olympic sports, 21% have experienced health problems related to asthma. So, what does that mean? Are allergic athletes forever doomed to operate at suboptimal levels during pollen season?
The answer is a resounding NO!
How Athletes can Beat Seasonal Allergies
There are several ways for athletes to minimize the effect of seasonal, airborne allergies. A few of them are:
- Stay inside on dry, windy days.
- Pollen count is highest in the morning and night. So, check pollen count daily and head out when it is on the lower side.
- Take preventive allergy medication at the right time.
- Keep your house and workspace clear of dust, pet dander and allergens.
- Pollen can stick to your hair, skin and clothes. Shower every night before going to bed. Put all used outdoors’ clothing in the laundry.
- Wear a mask for pollen, dust and other airborne particles.
What kind of mask is best for athletes or sportspeople?
To tackle pollen allergies, any mask won’t do. Athletes must use masks designed to prevent allergens like pollen and dust from being breathed in, but also masks that are comfortable to breathe in.
Of course, any reduction in exposure is better than full exposure. According to a study by the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan, standard non-woven fabric surgical face masks and glasses with side guard protection can help to a degree, but they can’t do much against wind speed and direction.
N95 respirators are more effective at filtering pollen particles out, but they tend to be uncomfortable and hard to breathe through, especially when training or exercising.
So, with pollen particle sizes typically ranging from 9μm (microns) to 200μm, how does one go about keeping them out without using solutions which will impair athletic performance?
The answer: Mask for pollen
The efficacy of pollen masks in filtering allergens is supported by studies and medical professionals. A study examined a group of nurses, and found that the ones who suffered from seasonal allergies had fewer symptoms after masking rules were implemented because of COVID-19.
40% of the 215 nurses in the study reported that they dealt with noticeably lower instances of sneezing, runny or stuffy noses when wearing N95 and surgical masks.
NAROO Has Got You Covered
With longstanding experience in creating everyday necessities for athletes, we at NAROO are closely acquainted with the mechanisms of protecting athletes from environmental hazards, and keeping them on top of their game.
To this end, after years of research and development, NAROO has developed a non-invasive, innovative solution to agonizing allergies: the MICRONET filter.
A quick look at the full range of MICRONET’s features:
- protects against UV rays
- moisture-wicking and quick drying
- washable and reusable
- protects against pollen, fine dust and ultrafine dust
- protects against insects
- prevents fogging when wearing glasses
- blocks the entry of harmful particles into the lungs
This filter has been proven to offer complete protection from pollen particles, even at the very peak of seasons with high pollen count. It blocks particles as small as 1.7μm, or 200 times smaller than a grain of sand. Additionally, its slim-fit design ensures that the air inhaled is particle-free without causing any discomfort to the wearer. You can wash and reuse masks with the MICRONET filter over a 100 times without experiencing any loss in effectiveness or comfort. The NAROO F series masks are certified pollen-filtering sports masks, manufactured in accordance with the strictest industry standards. Equipped with the MICRONET filter, they can protect your respiratory system from the tiniest particles, and prevent allergies with dampening your performance.
These masks have been specially designed for outdoor sporting activities such as hiking, motorcycling, biking, skiing, snowboarding, golf, horseback riding, trekking, fishing, hunting and running. So, don’t wait for the pollen season to pass. If you want to keep continuing with your workouts as usual, or train in the great outdoors, just grab your NAROO mask, and all you’ll be able to breath the fresh spring air without having to worry.
“These aren’t just face masks. They’re breathing solutions with testing and technology behind them.” — MENAFN- GetNews
“(The NAROO F-Series) are easy-breathing and filter out environmental agents that cause breathing difficulties or trigger allergy.” — Allergy UK
“With NAROO sports masks, athletes with mild to severe allergic reactions can train outside and go on outdoor adventures even during the pollen season.” — Nadezhda Pavlova, Pedalnorth.com
