Which masks are most breathable please?

[Wonderingwhyme]

I have a couple and I’m struggling with them as it just fills my face with hot air I will be attending apt with dc soon and have to wear a mask. Can anyone recommend one that doesn’t leave you worth a hot, sweaty face and comfortable please??

[LeGrandBleu]

I would say one with a valve if you can find it. I have Cambridge masks and also PP2 ( equivalent of n95) brick worker mask.
They are tight, which they must be but not making me hit or sweaty. Bought the em back in January when I saw China closing Wuhan

[oohnicevase]

I think it's the nature of them , I feel the same . I had to tear it off my face in Tesco the other day!!

[CKoRn]

Unfortunately, they all make you feel hot and sweaty because of your own breath being hot and damp lol. Unless you can stop breathing for long periods of time or be intubated as part of your mask, you'll just have to get used to it; and believe me, you will get used to it.

[Wonderingwhyme]

I haven’t worn one as I’m not going anywhere (work from home and not going to shops) so I’m not getting the chance to ‘get used to it’ and I don’t want to be wasting them wearing them at home for nothing...

I will look at n95. I see neoprene masks but presumably they would be even worse??

[GlomOfNit]

I think the fabric ones with a valve utterly defeat the purpose of wearing a non-clinical face mask! The valve allows your own air to escape while the fabric filters a certain amount of what comes in. We wear fabric face masks to be altruistic. No point if your mask allows your exhalations to leave the covering with no filtering? I could be wrong but I think this is how the valve works - it is a valve not a filter!

OP, try the fabric face coverings called 'duckbill' type - they have a sort of beaky bit at the front and might feel less claustrophobic. You will get used to breathing through fabric in time though - it takes a little more effort so feels awkward, but it absolutely does not cut down on the amount of oxygen a person takes in. And contrary to the anti-mask posts making the rounds, you are not merely rebreathing your carbon dioxide.

[Wonderingwhyme]

Thanks @GlomOfNit I will have a look at those. Iv tried weird ones from China (I got them before lock down) and then just the basic paper cheap ones. I don’t mind spending a bit more on one if it means I can keep it on. Worry about dc as have SN.... I will do my best with them but I worry about them being refused care if they can’t wear one. We have the disability lanyard I would make them wear but as they are kids I worry about this...

[MyMagicStars]

My DD is making and selling them to raise money for the NHS charities trust- 3 polycotton for £5 including postage. They are breathable.

[Prokupatuscrakedatus]

I've been wearing masks in closed public spaces for several weeks now and I find the N95 masks more comfortable (well, less uncomfortable) to wear than the washable community masks.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I'm claustrophobic and I'm resigned to the fact I won't be going far until we no longer have to wear masks. I tried wrapping a towel loosely around my face yesterday (I obviously wouldn't use a towel but I had nothing else to practice with) and I stood it for around 20 seconds.

[Wonderingwhyme]

@Prokupatuscrakedatus any specific ones?

@Pink yes I think maybe I need to do that maybe with something I have at home...

[Prokupatuscrakedatus]

@wonderingwhyme
I can't tell you who produced them, sorry.
When they announced masks would beome mandatory, I went to the pharmacy and bought them - got a lecture on how to properly clean them as well. Which is now another job of mine - daily mask cleaning. Luckily schools break up for the summer in 10 days.

[Wonderingwhyme]

@Prokupatuscrakedatus what did they tell you about cleaning? I do think this country has been lax about masks to be fair

[Prokupatuscrakedatus]

Wondering

1. wash them in a soft detergent (is that the word?) to get the ordinary street dust off
   
2. immerse for at least 10 minutes in water above 90°C (don't boil them)
   
3. air dry in the sun
   (I went and checked this with my DB and DBIL both are geriatric nurses in different care homes.)
   
   Where I am they want you to cover nose and mouth with anything available (little reduction is better than none at all) .
   DH's hayfever attacks have beocome less since he wears a mask when out, as well.

[Wonderingwhyme]

Thanks. Iv just dug out the original ones I got off amazon ages ago that came from China and they aren’t half as bad as the disposable ones.... went on amazon to buy some more but they aren’t available anymore. The others that look similar all have bad reviews!

The ones I got were cotton and some sort of carbon filter thing in them.

[HeIenaDove]

its been six years this October since the last impetigo infection on my bottom lip. Caused by humidity as i was always prone to the infection in the summer. My face being hot could cause another breakout of this. Its the longest time ive been without an infection. Im worried this will cause another one. And i also cant breathe properly with a mask on.

[HeIenaDove]

Six years is the longest ive gone. Previous to that it was three............July 2011.

[HeIenaDove]

IMPETIGO OVERVIEW

Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that usually affects children between the ages of two and five years, but it can also affect older children and adults. It can develop if bacteria get into healthy skin or into minor cuts, scrapes, or any other small openings (such as those caused by bug bites). The infection usually occurs in warm, humid conditions and is easily spread among people in close contact, particularly in crowded living conditions. Other terms for impetigo are pyoderma and impetigo contagiosa.

Impetigo is usually caused by a bacterium called "Staphylococcus aureus," a type of "staph" infection. Less commonly, the infection is caused by either another bacterium called streptococcus group A, or "strep," or by both bacteria. (See "Patient education: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Beyond the Basics)".)

More detailed information about impetigo is available by subscription. (See "Impetigo".)