8 common annoyances that come with wearing a face mask — and how to solve them responsibly

There are three easy fixes: you can use soap, buy fog spray, or seal your mask with tissue.

Soap: According to doctors from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, you can wash your glasses with soapy water, shake off the excess, and let them air dry or gently wipe them with a tissue. Soapy water, unlike soap-free water, leaves behind a thin film once dried that helps condensation "to spread out evenly into a transparent layer" and prevent the misting that impacts vision. But, per INSIDER health reporter Julia Naftulin, this tactic has been complicated by recent eyewear industry developments; many people now have glasses that are resistant to other substances, which means they may not take on the protection soap offers.

Fog spray: This also may not work for people with more advanced lenses, but there are certain kinds of anti-fog sprays that work on goggles and glasses, according to trade magazine Environmental Design and Construction which issues advice for construction workers. The magazine suggests Jaws Quick Spit Antifog Spray, Z Clear Lens Cleaner, and Cressi Anti-Fog Spray, among others.

Seal it off: Most masks aren't designed to seal against the face, so condensation from your breath escapes upwards and fogs your glasses. While some masks come with a flexible metal wire that can be bent to fit the shape of your face — and theoretically stop air from escaping — many don't succeed. Dan Formosa, a designer with extensive experience in manufacturing medical masks, suggests using a pipe cleaner or paper clip as DIY nose clips to keep the material flush against the face, or folding a tissue and securing it with medical tape to the bridge of your nose and underneath your mask — creating a kind of moisture block before it can reach the glasses.

Although this mask doesn't fall under the CDC's recommendation of multiple layers of fabric, vinyl is a non-woven material that is often used in hospital settings and is not porous.

Masks are essential for protecting our public health, but they're unfortunately limiting for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, which can make interactions at the hospital or grocery store both stressful and isolating. You can purchase masks that show your mouth through a vinyl section, so it's easier for Deaf or hard-of-hearing community members to read lips and see more of your facial expressions for communication. If you're unable to purchase one, there's a publicly available pattern here on the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center's site that you can use to make your own.

Whether or not your child should wear a mask depends mostly on their age. According to the CDC, children under 2 years old should not wear face masks — nor should people who have trouble breathing or are incapacitated.

"This is important because there are a lot of masks on Amazon right now for kids aged 0 to 3, and parents might just think it's not a big deal, but this a very important safety restriction," Dipesh Navsaria, MD, told INSIDER.

"Kids should not be in places where they have to wear masks for long periods of time," said Navsaria. "The absolute best way to protect your child and yourself from any respiratory infection is to stay at home."

He says that if a child absolutely refuses to wear a face mask, parents don't have to force it. But that also means the child should not be in public places or at large social gatherings.

For a list of face masks that are suitable and comfortable for kids, check out our article below.

According to recommendations from the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, there is no evidence that wearing a face mask makes asthma worse, though some people with asthma may find it more difficult to take adequate breaths while wearing one. If someone with asthma feels they are unable to breathe well enough with a face mask on, the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology says they should avoid going to public places as much as possible.

For those with asthma or trouble breathing, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. So, social distancing and staying in quarantine are strong preventative measures if you have the luxury of practicing them. The CDC also recommends hand washing, using a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when you're unable to find soap and water, and cleaning and disinfecting your home daily. You can brush up on the official and most current CDC guidelines here.

Unfortunately, some mild discomfort may be the price we pay for protecting our neighbors to the best of our ability. A mask is more effective if it's tightly woven, but that can sometimes cause the mask to feel hot.

Dr. Navsaria recommends holding the mask up to a light source. If a lot of light passes through, it can be an indicator that the fabric is loosely woven. However, the material also needs to be breathable. "Put it up to your own face and ask yourself if you can breathe through the mask reasonably," says Navsaria.

Researchers have found that when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, a mask's material isn't as important as the density. The more compact the fabric threading, the more protective the mask. Cotton tends to be more tightly woven than other materials, and it's also decently breathable.

But, ultimately, any mask you wear is better than no mask at all. If you need something lighter to encourage habitual usage, the CDC technically has a single-ply "quick cut T-shirt" option listed on its website which can offer some protection; studies of mask usage to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as SARS, another type of coronavirus, show that even a simple mask can lower risk of infection.

If you're trying to eat or drink while wearing a mask in public, there are masks that unzip to allow for food or straws.

However, a loose flap defeats the purpose of wearing a mask to protect people around you from exposure to your respiratory droplets that could carry the virus — especially given its placement in front of your mouth.

If you're going to try to solve the issue of not being able to eat and drink in public, you'll want to go with masks that have Velcro or a zipper to separate the straw hole, so you can seal it off.

But, it may be better to just skip it. You may be tempted to touch your face more than you would have otherwise, upping your potential risk of transmission. And if you're touching a shared surface, grabbing a straw, and then guiding it into your mouth, it may not be the best defensive plan for minimizing your exposure.

If your ears hurt while you're wearing your mask, the style may be too small for you. You may want to search for a face mask with adjustable strap lengths that won't dig into your skin. Some versions, like these from Reformation or these organic cotton face masks from Avocado, tie behind your head for a custom-fit that avoids your ears completely.

Consider buying handmade — there are plenty of options, and often with shorter shipping times. There are thousands of non-medical masks on Etsy made by individual sellers, often by hand. That also means there's a good amount of variation in your options.

In general, you should look for masks that will fit snugly and offer as much of a seal as possible (a wire along the nose that creates a tighter fit, for instance). They should be machine-washable, ideally have multiple layers of material, and not impede your breathing. Filters are also a bonus.

If you can't buy a face mask or don't want to wait for the estimated shipping date, you can make one at home using household items, like a bandana. You can also find an ASL Video Series: Easy DIY Cloth Face Covering on YouTube.