Any "good" (hypo-allergic) surgical or n95 face masks?

[42pines]

Many of you are wearing surgical or N95 face masks for long hours, or all day long.

Do you know of any specific brands of surgical masks that are hypoallergenic and better for sensitive skin?

Admin: Remove if this post violates TOS. I have zero connection to any mask vendor/supplier, but have been asked this specific question and we have here, a large quantity of nurses who could, if they chose, answer this. However, brands or product names might be a violation of TOS and if so, please remove.

Note: Hypoallergenic/allergenic is a difficult subject. Oftentimes what is considered (in my experience) an allergic reaction is actually not an allergy to a specific substance but rather contact dermatitis which can also be known as allergic contact dermatitis.

For my question: Either/or works. true allergy or contact dermatitis does not matter--in short, what brands/products seem to be the best, in your experience for extended wear.

For those interested see

Contact dermatitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/contact-dermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352742

Allergic contact dermatitis
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/allergic-contact-dermatitis/

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

3M makes a surgical mask they label as hypoallergenic. However, sometimes just switching up the type of mask works. My OR has 5 different mask choices, not including the (specially ordered for those who can't use any of the other choices) hypoallergenic one or N95s.

[42pines]

1 hour ago, Rose_Queen said:

3M makes a surgical mask they label as hypoallergenic. However, sometimes just switching up the type of mask works. My OR has 5 different mask choices, not including the (specially ordered for those who can't use any of the other choices) hypoallergenic one or N95s.

Thanks. Are the ones that's "specially ordered" the 3M hypoallergic one? If you could, some number so that I can find it would be useful, even in a few days if you're not working at the moment. Do any of the "5 different mask choices" stick out?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I don't have access to ordering information. The box is kept in the locker of the person who needs them so that others don't use them. I do know our major contracts are not with 3M, so those masks are likely more expensive for us compared to our regularly contracted supplier.

As for one of the 5 sticking out, not really. It's a matter of personal preference- the ones who wear glasses tend to like the ones that have a plastic strip across the top to help with fogging, the ones who hate anything touching their lips like the duckbill, and so on.