Wearing a face mask is bloody awful!

[shellydolls]

Wore one yesterday in the shop for the first time.

I felt like I was suffocating myself!
I felt dizzy!
I couldn't concentrate on my shopping as I felt so uncomfortable and my glasses kept fogging up!

Please can someone recommend a very breathable mask as I won't be out shopping again until I can breath properly.

Have a thought for those of us that wear a mask & full ppe all day. We still wear one to a shop etc as advised.
I am fed up of people whinging about it. Fair enough if you have a medical condition. My MIL moaned about wearing one for 15 mins. Told her to try 12 hours.

I’ve got some masks from Tots Bots who usually make reusable nappies and I find them quite comfortable. Haven’t worn them with glasses though.

@nitgel

I don't think the thread is helped by comments like 'this needs it's own topic' or 'NHS staff have to wear all the time' type posts.

This is a very strange time. Let's just be nice to each other.

100% agree

They're not something I'd chose to wear, certainly, and I will limit my shopping activities (which probably isn't a bad thing, global pandemic and all that!).

I have found they've got less uncomfortable as I've started to get used to them.

Personally, I prefer the buff style ones.

Because use nhs frontline staff are at the the point of what the fuck have we done for 6 months.
It's soul destroying. A number of us have ptsd from what we witnessed. And I'm sure the 43k + people who died , if they could would tell you to suck it in.
Sorry but it hits a nerve with me. When you have to FaceTime families so they can say goodbye to their dying relatives.
It sucks

I've got some from petit lulu, a Polish brand who usually make cloth nappies. It's thin stretchy material and very comfy and breathable. Also has a nose wire so better for glasses wearers.

You’d feel a helluva lot worse if it was a ventilator mask!

@Turnedouttoes

I hate them as well. I had lots of chores to do yesterday and I was so sweaty with having to keep putting the mask on to go into each shop. It’s also such a pain with make up. I’ve got a 3 hour hair appointment today and coming straight home to guests so hoping they’re not enforcing masks for customers as per the new rules

Of course you’ll have to wear your mask at the hairdressers. That’s been in place since they re-opened. I did a 5 hour appointment in one. You’ll survive.

I have a stack of soft stretchy cloth washable ones, and use kitchen roll squares inside, folded once then 3 times. If I wear glasses they do steam up but I wear contacts mostly and you can get the wired ones for a better fit.
Masks aren't great but you get used to it!

@FelicityPike

You’d feel a helluva lot worse if it was a ventilator mask!

Yes I would, that's why I'm doing what I can to try and prevent that happening.

I haven't said I'm not going to wear a mask.

I simply wanted some advice on one that is more breathable.

Someone else mentioned a strip of surgical tape along the line of the top of the mask to keep it down, you could also use tit tape. It's the only thing I've found that stops 100% of the fogging.

It also sounds a bit like your body is having a bit of a panic reaction to wearing the mask and once it starts it just keeps going until you feel like you can't breathe etc.

Perhaps try wearing it around the house for a bit to get more used to breathing normally or go in to the garden with it on and just see how it goes - wearing it without the pressure of being in a shop might help you to normalise wearing it and get you used to it. Then, next time you're out and have to wear it you'll hopefully feel better and not get the struggling to breathe feeling.

My DH is also frontline NHS and has to wear one all day. He has no problems at all with it even his ears don't hurt from the straps. I guess you just get used to it!

However, I made some and had to wear one to a hospital appointment. After 5 mins I had to go out for fresh air! Swapped to one of their surgical ones which was better. I think the answer might be try different masks. I'm making ones for a community project where the fabrics are provided They are made from 3 different very thin fabrics. One poly cotton and 2 different cottons. They are easy to breath through.

I think it is 'nice' or rather, important and necessary, to point out that mask wearing does not cause faintness or suffocation.

It can feel a bit weird, until you get used to it, and you do need to find the Ines you get in with (and yes, people might be sick of hearing it but it's true that surgeons including bespectacled ones operate for hours safely and fog free)

@nitgel

I don't think the thread is helped by comments like 'this needs it's own topic' or 'NHS staff have to wear all the time' type posts.

This is a very strange time. Let's just be nice to each other.

It is bizarre! But you get used to the masks quickly. If they help stop spreading infection that's enough incentive for me.

Disclaimer: this is not intended as an “NHS staff have to wear them all the time so get over it” type post.
I’m a nurse. At first the masks made me uncomfortable, hot and dizzy. After about 4 shifts I stopped noticing. Now, it just feels kind of cosy and comfortable (except the ears!) Give it time. Maybe get used to it when sitting down at home rather than walking about. It definitely gets easier.
I’m not sure about the glasses fogging issue. I haven’t found a fix yet. I’ve noticed it’s worse when you first put the mask on, or if going from outside to inside and clears mostly after a few minutes (disposable masks with wire) but it is definitely annoying!

Wash glasses in soap and it stops them steaming.

It’s also such a pain with make up. I’ve got a 3 hour hair appointment today and coming straight home to guests so hoping they’re not enforcing masks for customers as per the new rules

Fucking actual hell. That’s the spirit

I'm not sure why people are making nasty comments. OP has said she wore a mask and will continue to, she is just asking for advice on something more breathable.

I would try and stay away from anything disposable of you can OP, there is so much plastic waste being created at the moment that it's very alarming.

My glasses wearing DH has one with a nose wire, so he puts that under his glasses and they don't fog up. Try that.

I know what you mean, we went to a garden centre yesterday and I felt very uncomfortable in mine, but I suppose I'll get used to it the more I do it.

@drinkingwineoutofamug

Because use nhs frontline staff are at the the point of what the fuck have we done for 6 months. It's soul destroying. A number of us have ptsd from what we witnessed. And I'm sure the 43k + people who died , if they could would tell you to suck it in. Sorry but it hits a nerve with me. When you have to FaceTime families so they can say goodbye to their dying relatives. It sucks

Thank you for all you are doing. I hope you get some respite soon.

@YellowandGreenToBeSeen I had a 3 hour hair appointment last week and didn't have to wear a mask. They aren't in the guidance for customers. The hairdressers were wearing visors though.

@BrokenBrit . Thank you.

It's been mandatory for a while now where I am (medical exemptions apply) and I have tested a number of different kinds: I prefer the foamy N95, it feels more comfortable - but then I prefer jeans.
As neither my DB nor my DBil suffer from dizzyness or oxygen deprivation during their shifts, I think I can continue to do my shopping, hair appointments, dentis and surgery visits and my commute in a mask.
Not everything has to be fun, easy or comfortable.

*The ones with a valve don't actually protect anyone else from you though, which is the point of wearing a mask. You're still breathing all your germs out.

@shellydolls either a surgical mask or a plain cotton fabric mask will be fine and won't effect your breathing or oxygen levels at all*

This is rubbish, I have a valve mask and the valve is still covered with fabric at the back which is thicker than the paper surgical masks. It's much better than a flimsy paper one

are the surgical ones much lighter to wear & more breathable than cloth, esp. 3 layer cloth? Sounds like it.