Does Wearing a Mask Help with Allergies?

A group of adults wearing mask which may help with allergies

Nicole Dantzler of 8News-WRIC stopped by RVA Allergy last week to discuss how wearing a mask affects how folks experience allergies. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting Ms. Dantzler and welcomed the opportunity to talk about our favorite subject – allergies!

It’s an interesting question whether allergy patients should use masks more frequently. By now, we are all accustomed to wearing masks as our community navigates the COVID19 pandemic. Prior to the COVID19 pandemic, hay fever sufferers might wear a mask on high pollen days to avoid breathing in allergens. Avoidance measures have long been a mainstay of treatment for allergic rhinitis. Board-certified allergists might recommend showering after spending time outside, rinsing the nasal passages with sinus rinses, adding dust mite covers to mattresses and pillows, or keeping pets out of the bedroom.

Wearing a mask and goggles while mowing the grass can help prevent pollen from entering the nasal passages and irritating the eyes. Surgical masks can filter particles as small as 3 micrometers when worn properly, and the smallest pollen grains are about 5-10 micrometers. The major tree pollen in Richmond in the spring is oak which measures 24-38 micrometers. Masks should filter out the pollens that cause most nasal symptoms in the spring.

Indeed, any physical barrier that keeps pollen from interacting with the body’s immune system helps prevent the allergic cascade that leads to a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes.

Many of our allergy patients found their seasonal allergy symptoms were better the past two spring seasons as masks became the norm. Most Richmonders are aware that the pollen count has been very high the last 1-2 months, and some go so far as to dub it the “Pollening.” Though many of our patients are experiencing flares of their allergy symptoms, some are commenting that their symptoms are better when they wear masks to protect their nasal and respiratory passages.

It remains to be seen whether allergy sufferers will employ masks once the COVID19 pandemic is behind us. As always, we defer to the CDC’s guidance on mask-wearing. Avoiding pollens wherever possible makes sense and masks may remain a tool utilized by those with allergies. If masks and medications haven’t helped your symptoms enough this spring, come see us at RVA Allergy for a thorough allergy evaluation.