Jay Young MD

Are you having trouble breathing while wearing a face mask?
Well you are not the only one!!! Like it or not wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future. However, wearing a mask can “unmask” underlying baseline breathing problems. Many people simply have gotten used to obstructed nasal breathing over the years and now with wearing face masks, they notice it.

First off, masks should fully cover your nose and mouth to be effective in reducing the spread of illnesses such that fit is of paramount importance. Look for a comfortable mask and generally speaking one made of cotton as these tend to be a bit more breathable. Remember to dispose of or wash your masks regularly as dust, skin oils, saliva, skincare products, makeup, and debris can accumulate, further inhibiting breathing.

Independent of the inherent problems with wearing masks, baseline nasal obstructive breathing is relatively common and there are a host of contributing factors ranging from allergies to physical blockages.

In regards to the structural problems of the nose, these include but are not limited to a deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy (swelling of inner lining of nasal passages), enlargement of adenoids, and nasal valve collapse. In more serious cases, other contributing factors to nasal obstruction include masses or polyps. In patients that have had prior cosmetic rhinoplasty, the nasal obstruction while wearing a mask can be quite pronounced because of weakened nasal cartilage.

Ultimately seeing a nose specialist is helpful to delineate the actual cause of the obstructive nasal breathing. While wearing a mask may be uncomfortable, it does not have to significantly impair your breathing as there are MANY options medical, procedural, and surgical to improve your nasal breathing.

Was your COVID-19 testing painful? It can be significantly more comfortable with a simple tip.
Location. Location. Location.
Generally speaking samples taken from the nasopharynx (back of the nose) and /or lower nasal passage are considered to be the most accurate. Tilting the head back can be employed but the location and angle of swab should remain the same- straight back and parallel to the palate. Everyone’s anatomy is different and at times one can meet resistance with a deviated septum. If resistance is met, gently reposition. Swabbing the upper nasal cavity is usually more uncomfortable.
This video is for illustrative purposes to portray the angle and depth of sample taken as the patient was recently negative for COVID-19.

COVID-19 testing can be much more comfortable with this tip!
Location. Location. Location.