If you have asthma, you might feel a little anxious with a mask on, particularly if the mask is tight-fitting or made of materials that make it difficult to breathe through. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) also recognizes that wearing a mask can be challenging for some people with severe asthma and frequent asthma-related hospitalizations. However, there is no evidence that masking worsens asthma symptoms, says Medical News Today. Indeed, the AAFA still recommends that people with asthma wear masks to help reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19 — and they note that anybody whose asthma is under poor control should work with their physician on treatment options.
The Asthma Allergy Network also advises wearing masks in public settings, avoiding large crowds, and maintaining social distancing. These measures are particularly important for people with asthma — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that those with moderate to severe asthma have a higher risk of hospitalization due to COVID infection.
