What are hygiene masks?

Hygiene masks, also known as medical face masks or surgical masks, are used to protect your environment from germs and viruses. This means that when wearing a face mask correctly, you are primarily protecting other people, which is why it is also referred to as external protection. Your own protection is significantly lower when using medical masks, even if there is at least a slight protective effect. Hygiene masks usually consist of a multi-layer fleece and sometimes have a water-repellent outer coating. A bendable metal bracket ensures a good seal in the nose area. The mask is pulled over the ears with an elasticated strap. Surgical masks are intended for single use.

What hygiene masks are available and how are they used?

Whilst hygiene masks were previously mainly used in the medical field, they have now also become an indispensable companion in everyday life. They are now available in a wide range of colours and designs. Medical masks must comply with the European standard EN 14683. This standard distinguishes between three types of masks with different filter performance: Type I, Type II and Type IIR. While type I masks provide 95% protection against bacteria, type II masks provide 98% protection against foreign bodies. Type IIR is the highest protection level, as this mask also protects against droplets. However, if you want to buy a mask for everyday use, all types are equally suitable.

Outside the medical field, hygiene masks are always suitable when several people come together and the required safety distance cannot be maintained, e.g. when shopping, in lifts and on public transport.

In order to provide optimum protection, masks should always be used in conjunction with other hygiene measures and rules of behaviour. The following instructions are recommended for use:

• Wash or sanitise your hands with soap and water before putting on the mask
• The mask should cover the nose and mouth, then tighten it so that it fits snugly around the face
• Do not touch the mask after putting it on
• Wash your hands after touching a used mask
• Do not reuse disposable hygiene masks and dispose of them after taking them off
• Do not put the mask in your trouser pocket or wear it on your arm
• Do not use surgical masks for longer than 2 - 4 hours - then replace with a new mask

Buy hygiene masks in the online shop at AcuMax Switzerland

Are you looking for the right protective mask? In our online shop you will find a particularly large selection of different masks for every type and for every area of use. No matter which mask you need: you're guaranteed to find it here! It's doubly worthwhile for you to buy from us: on the one hand, you benefit from our huge selection and, on the other, from our particularly fast dispatch. Do you need your items as quickly as possible? No problem, because we deliver your order from stock within 24 hours.