But these changes don't last or cause problems for most healthy adults. Healthy adults may have minor physical changes, such as a small change in breathing rate, while wearing a face mask. You shouldn't feel your breath coming out under the edges of the mask. This creates a snug fit over the bridge of your nose. And don't put masks on children younger than age 2.The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly through the air when a person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks or breathes.Other masks use a static charge, like the static charge that causes clothes to stick together in the dryer, to catch and hold the virus.Wear a mask if you have symptoms of illness, if you are near others who are sick or if you're in a crowded indoor area.You shouldn't feel your breath coming out under the edges of the mask.Some masks rely on fabric type, weave or density to filter the air.Get answers to your questions about face masks, including how to use them properly.Face masks or respirators are products that cover the nose, mouth and chin. How well do face masks protect against COVID-19? This creates a snug fit over the bridge of your nose.European respirators are called FFP2s and respirators from China are called KN95s.But these changes don't last or cause problems for most healthy adults.You should feel warm air going out the front of the mask when you breathe out.Masks also differ on how easy or hard they are to breathe through.Use masks that have bendable nose strips and adjustable ear loops or bands.Throw away disposable masks either after one use or if they get dirty, wet or damaged during use. Some masks have valves that make them easier to breathe through. Other masks use a static charge, like the static charge that causes clothes to stick together in the dryer, to catch and hold the virus. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly through the air when a person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks or breathes. Throw away disposable masks either after one use or if they get dirty, wet or damaged during use. Medical masks This is more likely with respirators than with surgical masks.But these masks don't filter the air the wearer breathes out.Masks called respirators have to meet specific standards and are designed to block almost all virus particles in the air.Masks are most effective if they fit the face closely.Other masks use a static charge, like the static charge that causes clothes to stick together in the dryer, to catch and hold the virus.Don't put a mask on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove the mask without help.The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly through the air when a person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks or breathes.And don't put masks on children younger than age 2.Also called surgical masks, they filter out large particles in the air when you breathe in. This helps you fit the mask snuggly to your face, so air and breath move through the mask, not around the edges. Use masks that have bendable nose strips and adjustable ear loops or bands. Medical masks come in a larger size typically used for adults and a smaller size that may be used for children. This type of mask may be available in a range of sizes and is meant to be adjusted to fit the face.This creates a snug fit over the bridge of your nose.Throw away disposable masks either after one use or if they get dirty, wet or damaged during use.These respirators have adjustable nosepieces and bands or ties.European respirators are called FFP2s and respirators from China are called KN95s.With all masks, your face may feel warmer or more humid under the mask. About Mayo Clinic Some masks have valves that make them easier to breathe through.Throw away disposable masks either after one use or if they get dirty, wet or damaged during use.This type of mask may be available in a range of sizes and is meant to be adjusted to fit the face.This creates a snug fit over the bridge of your nose.European respirators are called FFP2s and respirators from China are called KN95s.But these changes don't last or cause problems for most healthy adults.Masks also differ on how easy or hard they are to breathe through.With all masks, your face may feel warmer or more humid under the mask. Face masks differ in how well they filter air and fit on the face. You should feel warm air going out the front of the mask when you breathe out. Some masks rely on fabric type, weave or density to filter the air. How do different types of masks work? Masks also differ on how easy or hard they are to breathe through. Don't put a mask on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove the mask without help. Wear a mask if you have symptoms of illness, if you are near others who are sick or if you're in a crowded indoor area. How to put on and take off a face mask Some masks rely on fabric type, weave or density to filter the air.You shouldn't feel your breath coming out under the edges of the mask.Wear a mask if you have symptoms of illness, if you are near others who are sick or if you're in a crowded indoor area.Healthy adults may have minor physical changes, such as a small change in breathing rate, while wearing a face mask.Get answers to your questions about face masks, including how to use them properly.The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly through the air when a person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks or breathes.Virus particles can drift in the air and be inhaled, especially in crowded places with poor airflow.Face masks or respirators are products that cover the nose, mouth and chin. Face masks or respirators are products that cover the nose, mouth and chin. With all masks, your face may feel warmer or more humid under the mask. This is more likely with respirators than with surgical masks. Follow Mayo Clinic Follow these steps for putting on and taking off your mask.Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.Masks are most effective if they fit the face closely.Masks called respirators have to meet specific standards and are designed to block almost all virus particles in the air.This is more likely with respirators than with surgical masks.But these masks don't filter the air the wearer breathes out.Also called surgical masks, they filter out large particles in the air when you breathe in.And don't put masks on children younger than age 2.Other masks use a static charge, like the static charge that causes clothes to stick together in the dryer, to catch and hold the virus.Don't put a mask on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove the mask without help. These masks include N95, FFP2, KN95 and other types. For this reason, masks with valves can't be used in some places. And don't put masks on children younger than age 2. Virus particles can drift in the air and be inhaled, especially in crowded places with poor airflow. Get answers to your questions about face masks, including how to use them properly. But these masks don't filter the air the wearer breathes out.Follow these steps for putting on and taking off your mask.Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.To make medical masks more form-fitting, knot the ear loops where they attach to the mask.Some masks have valves that make them easier to breathe through.Masks called respirators have to meet specific standards and are designed to block almost all virus particles in the air. How to fit and wear a face mask Also, make sure to pinch the flexible nosepiece if the mask has one.Face masks differ in how well they filter air and fit on the face.For this reason, masks with valves can't be used in some places.Masks also differ on how easy or hard they are to breathe through.These masks include N95, FFP2, KN95 and other types.Medical masks come in a larger size typically used for adults and a smaller size that may be used for children.But these changes don't last or cause problems for most healthy adults.You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Also called surgical masks, they filter out large particles in the air when you breathe in. To make medical masks more form-fitting, knot the ear loops where they attach to the mask. Masks called respirators have to meet specific standards and are designed to block almost all virus particles in the air. But these masks don't filter the air the wearer breathes out. Also, make sure to pinch the flexible nosepiece if the mask has one. These respirators have adjustable nosepieces and bands or ties. This type of mask may be available in a range of sizes and is meant to be adjusted to fit the face. European respirators are called FFP2s and respirators from China are called KN95s. Medical masks come in a larger size typically used for adults and a smaller size that may be used for children.For this reason, masks with valves can't be used in some places.These masks include N95, FFP2, KN95 and other types.Face masks differ in how well they filter air and fit on the face.You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices.Use masks that have bendable nose strips and adjustable ear loops or bands.This helps you fit the mask snuggly to your face, so air and breath move through the mask, not around the edges. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Follow these steps for putting on and taking off your mask. Masks are most effective if they fit the face closely.