The effect of mask use on allergic rhinitis symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aims: Inspiratory particle load including the allergens in the inhaled air is decreased by the use of the mask, which is one of the methods for COVID-19 protection. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of masks used by seasonal allergic rhinitis patients with pollen allergy on the control of rhinitis symptoms. Methods: Mask usage characteristics of patients (mask type used, average number of days per week for mask usage, daily usage time),whether there was a change in the time spent outdoors during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, and rhinitis complaints and frequency of rhinitis-related drug use before the pandemic compared to the pandemic period were investigated. Results:The frequency of nasal discharge (6.62±1.69; 6.00±1.89: p<0.001), obstruction (4.56±1.64; 4.28±1.86: p=0.099), itching(7.49±1.55; 7.16±1.83: p=0.038), sneezing (5.54±1.60; 5.21±1.89: p=0.046), and frequency of drug use (5.52±1.62; 5.17±1.91: p=0.037) decreased statistically significantly after the pandemic according to the visual analog scoring. However, an increase was found in ocular symptoms. Conclusion:Although studies with larger patient and control groups are needed, we think that the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic is an effective protective measure for protection from pollen in patients with allergic rhinitis,who have pollen sensitivity.

Keywords

• Mask usage
• allergic rhinitis
• COVID-19
• rhinitis symptoms
• pandemic

References

1. Li Q, Guan X, Wu P, et al. Early transmission dynamics in Wuhan, China, of novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(13):1199-1207.
2. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Available from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.
3. Wölfel R, Corman VM, Guggemos W, et al. Virological assessment of hospitalized patients with COVID-2019. Nature. 2020;581(7809):465-469.
4. Klimek L, Huppertz T, Alali A, et al. A new form of irritant rhinitis to filtering facepiece particle (FFP) masks (FFP2/N95/KN95 respirators) during COVID-19 pandemic. World Allergy Organ J. 2020;13(10):100474.
5. Klimek L, Jutel M, Akdis C, et al. ARIA-MASK Study Group. Handling of allergen immunotherapy in the COVID-19 pandemic: An ARIA-EAACI statement. Allergy. 2020;75(7):1546-1554.
6. Cherrie JW, Apsley A, Cowie H, et al. Effectiveness of face masks used to protect Beijing residents against particulate air pollution. Occup Environ Med. 2018;75(6):446-452.
7. Oberg T, Brosseau LM. Surgical mask filter and fit performance. Am J Infect Control. 2008;36(4):276-282.
8. Lee SA, Grinshpun SA, Reponen T. Respiratory performance offered by N95 respirators and surgical masks: human subject evaluation with NaCl aerosol representing bacterial and viral particle size range. Ann OccupHyg. 2008;52(3):177-185.

9. Dykewicz MS, Wallace DV, Amrol DJ, et al. Rhinitis 2020: a practice parameter update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;146(4): 721-767.
10. Skoner DP. Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001;108(1 Suppl):S2-8.
11. Schröder K, Finis D, Meller S, Buhren BA, Wagenmann M, Geerling G. Die saisonale und perenniale allergische rhinokonjunktivitis [seasonal and perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis]. Laryngorhinootologie. 2017;96(2):89-97.
12. Bousquet J, Bullinger M, Fayol C, Marquis P, Valentin B, Burtin B. Assessment of quality of life in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis with the French version of the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1994;94(2 Pt 1):182-188.
13. Gautier C, Charpin D. Environmental triggers and avoidance in the management of asthma. J Asthma Allergy. 2017;10:47-56.
14. Kef K, Güven S. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and associated risk factors among university students in anatolia. J Asthma Allergy. 2020;13:589-597.
15. Dror AA, Eisenbach N, Marshak T, et al. Reduction of allergic rhinitis symptoms with face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Allergy ClinImmunolPract. 2020;8(10):3590-3593. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.08.035.
16. Nisar M, Spence DP, West D, et al. A mask to modify inspired air temperature and humidity and its effect on exercise induced asthma. Thorax. 1992;47(6):446-450.