Why I still wear a mask as someone with hypoparathyroidism
It helps protect my immune system and prevent disease complications
When I walk into the small, LGBTQ-owned salon that has seen my best and worst hypoparathyroidism days, I’m always relieved that I can just be me. Not only is it a place of safety and comfort for me as a queer woman, but also as a person with a rare disease.
The salon is small, and I’m scheduled when only one or two stylists are working. There’s a couch if I need a break, a bathroom close by, and a chair that is spaced away from other clients. Best of all, I’ve known my stylist for over a decade, and she is very familiar with my hypopara. The moment I walk in masked, my stylist and her assistant also mask up.
Why am I still masking? Hypopara, marked by low levels of the parathyroid hormone, affects my calcium and phosphate levels and can make it harder to fight off infections. Calcium plays an important role in signaling the body’s immune response. Parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphate imbalances could have a significant impact on the immune system. A cold that would knock out Mr. Heather for a few days can take me down for a month.
Not only can hypopara lower my ability to fight infection, but the infection itself can cause hypopara complications. Any illness — especially one that includes fever, vomiting, or diarrhea — can make calcium levels unstable. This means when I get sick, I’m at a higher risk for hypocalcemia (low blood calcium). The dangers of hypocalcemia include seizure, cardiovascular issues, and bronchospasm.
To help support my immune system, my doctors have prescribed daily supplements that include vitamin C, a probiotic, and vitamin D, which also supports calcium absorption. I’ve been helping prevent infection even more by wearing a mask. I limit my time in crowds and ask any providers who will be close to my face to also mask.
While the majority of the population no longer masks, COVID-19 is still circulating. Unfortunately for me, the risk has not gone away just because the extra precautions have.
Mask fatigue is a small price to pay
As I sat in the salon, I confessed I was getting mask fatigue, a phenomenon where a mask wearer experiences physical and psychological effects from wearing a mask for long periods. My stylist looked me dead in the eyes through the mirror and reminded me that when I caught COVID-19 last year, it took me six months to fully recover. I didn’t have the energy to get my hair done for nearly half a year.
She pointed to her mask and said, “So this is why we suck it up and still wear masks.”
Our conversation helped me remember why I still go through the effort of masking. Much like learning to ignore people’s comments about my mobility aids, I’ve had to learn how to shrug off those who call out “COVID-19 is just a hoax!” when I walk by, the comments on my social media that mock my mask wearing, and the hurt feelings from relatives who feel I shouldn’t need to mask around them.
Masking, like my mobility aids and my medication routine, is one more tool in my rare disease toolbox that can help keep me stable. It’s not just about preventing COVID-19, but also other viruses, including influenza and norovirus. It’s not just about protecting my immune system; I’m also protecting myself from additional hypopara risks.
Masking allows me to mitigate the risk of going out in public so I can live my life, whether it’s something as fun as getting my hair colored or as serious as hopping on a plane to say goodbye to a loved one. I’m so lucky I have people in my life who, without question, will also mask up alongside me to help keep me safe. I have so much I want to do, and if wearing a mask means I get to accomplish more things, it’s a small price to pay.
Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.
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