By now we are all used to wearing masks in public places. This device is important to protect those around us and avoid the spread of Covid. But not only that: scientists have discovered an unexpected benefit for the health of those who wear the mask. Here’s what it is.
Moisture inside the mask may not just be a nuisance
Everyone has noticed that there is often a build-up of moisture inside the mask. This phenomenon is above all a nuisance. In fact, it causes fogging of the glasses, the melting of the make-up, and an unpleasant feeling of sticky. Not to mention the infamous maskne, or mask acne, which manifests itself with redness, pimples and itching.
Yet not all evil comes to harm. Indeed, a team of experts speculates that the humidity inside the mask can play an important role. Thanks to a recent study, an unexpected benefit for the health of those who wear the mask has been discovered. In particular, humidity could help the body fight respiratory diseases. Including, of course, Covid.
How humidity can help us fight Covid
The recent discovery comes from scientists at NIDDK, a US research institute. The results are published in the scientific journal Biophysical Journal. Experts confirm that when you wear the mask, you breathe air with a higher degree of humidity. This phenomenon offers a possible explanation for an interesting correlation: the wearer of the mask regularly contracts the virus in a milder form.
In fact, moisture is able to hydrate the respiratory tract and help the immune system. This is thanks to two mechanisms: the elimination of mucus from the lungs and the production of a special protein that fights viruses. Scientists also tested which mask creates the most moisture. At the top of the ranking is the cotton mask.
Deepening
Do-it-yourself masks: the vacuum cleaner filter is among the most effective materials
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