Best face mask for those with breathing difficulties?

[babydisney]

Going on from another poster who moaned about wearing a face mask, I'm actually all for them, I have a severe asthma and suffer from hypoxemia as a result and at work wear a visor, however I've just been using medical masks in shops and have been really struggling to breathe I wondered if anyone had found a great mask for those with lung impairments and recommendations for not just me but anyone trying to find a mask to wear. Yes I understand some people will say 'but you're exempt' I know but also if I catch covid I and others could die, I would like to find a comfortable (ish) way of wearing the mask!

I wore a shield for the first time yesterday. It was so much easier to breathe (plus you can smile at people!) I've just ordered several from a medical supply company (Australia).

@skeptile I have been very tempted to wear them everywhere but some shops ect seem not to approve so I'm left with either not wearing anything or making my condition more difficult. I might look into the legalities of being able to wear a visor everywhere x

You are exempt from mask wearing if you have severe asthma, but if it is a case of wanting to wear something because of other people’s reactions, then a visor is probably your best bet. I would recommend getting one that attaches to a hat/cap, because my daughter finds that hers keeps slipping, though she has thick curly hair which probably doesn’t help.

I’ve seen some home made masks on Pinterest that are designed to stay further out from your face, which might help. If you can’t make them yourself there are quite a few people now making and selling masks online.

@lillianbland not quite sure what you're trying to imply, I have severe asthma most recently been hospitalised with pneumonia 6 months ago (non covid related) and as stated above suffer from a condition which means oxygen often does not enter my blood stream like normal individuals, visors are embarrassing and noone wants to be seen wearing them but I'm at the point where often there is no alternative, I'm really trying to wear a mask but just cannot breathe for longer than a few minutes. I tried etsy but found alot didn't explain how it assisted those with impairments. And wanted to know if first hand anyone suffering from a condition actually found a mask that helped rather than hindered.

Op, I think that you may have misinterpreted lillianbland's comment.
She was being nice; she was reassuring you that with your health condition you didn't have to wear a mask. I don't think that she was 'implying' anything.

If you really can’t wear a mask due to your medical condition then you don’t have to wear one. Visors are not recommended anyway unless you are also wearing a covering.

"but if it is a case of wanting to wear something because of other people’s reactions, then a visor is probably your best bet."
Don't quote understand why that would be said if it wasn't implied??

You said shops don’t seem to approve visors and you want to wear a mask but find it difficult due to your condition. You don’t have to!

Sorry you have this issue. I’ve been wearing the normal disposable masks till this week. I’ve just bought some Seasalt fabric masks and they are much more comfortable. The material is soft, doesn’t smell funny and is less clingy around my mouth and nose. I haven’t tried any other fabric masks so can’t say if this is typical. Hope this helps.

I find masks suffocating and so was going to switch to visors when shopping. Is that not allowed?

Visors are used in some health care settings here in Australia, like OT and speech therapies. Far more likely to transmit there than in a shop. I don't think visors are permitted in Scotland.

There's recently been some silk masks added to Amazon. I've been looking for ages. They're not the best stitched in the world, but they're breathable.

I think the intent of Lillian's post was to say that you really are exempt from mask wearing and therefore (given that non medical masks mainly prevent transmission to others) the main reason to wear one would be to avoid horrible people who don't know or understand your situation being rude to you or whatever in shops.

I agree with @ElizabethMainwaring and @Nacreous, I think you have misinterpreted @LillianBland ‘s post. She was being helpful. I hope you find a solution.

the most breathable mask I have found so far is an Under Armour one
www.underarmour.co.uk/en-gb/face-mask-for-athletes/?RMID=DC1_0715_EU_Sportsmask_Launch_Resend&RRID=219930989&cid=EM|UK|AdHoc|Targeted|FP|SC036|m|acc|all|RM1|SF|DC1_Sportmask_Notification|154433&triggermail_email_address=Z2xvcmlhZ2F0ZWx5QGJ0aW50ZXJuZXQuY29t&he=3faeefdf7bbb4a3ea25e125d3df17fa21954f2ae4dac45be8ef0e851ec4c2542&et_cid=154433&et_rid=219930989

site says sold out ,and it said the same when I ordered but it was a fairly short wait ,couple of weeks IIRC.

You say you wear medical masks, OP, do you mean the disposable ones? I personally find these to be the most breathable and lightweight.

I understand completely and don’t know why the mask makers haven’t come up with a design so that the mask isn’t as close to the mouth, with say a couple of wire strips to make the mask not touch the mouth.

@Mindymomo

I understand completely and don’t know why the mask makers haven’t come up with a design so that the mask isn’t as close to the mouth, with say a couple of wire strips to make the mask not touch the mouth.

You can get moulded masks that do this, but they are often (but not always) one time use.

After posting this, a pop up came on my facebook page from gestous.com who do a face mask inside covering frame. This may help you.

[quote babydisney]@lillianbland not quite sure what you're trying to imply, I have severe asthma most recently been hospitalised with pneumonia 6 months ago (non covid related) and as stated above suffer from a condition which means oxygen often does not enter my blood stream like normal individuals, visors are embarrassing and noone wants to be seen wearing them but I'm at the point where often there is no alternative, I'm really trying to wear a mask but just cannot breathe for longer than a few minutes. I tried etsy but found alot didn't explain how it assisted those with impairments. And wanted to know if first hand anyone suffering from a condition actually found a mask that helped rather than hindered.[/quote]
Sorry, if you’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t trying to imply anything as my 25yr old can’t wear masks either, but you were saying you wanted to wear one. That’s why I posted that picture. While I completely understand that you are wary of being attacked for not wearing one, don’t let others bully you into it. I was actually trying to be helpful.

I 'only' have mild asthma and find the style of mask makes a difference.
the ones which loom more like coffee filters, like the ones german chancellor merkel has been seen wearing, I find easier to wear.

@babydisney

"but if it is a case of wanting to wear something because of other people’s reactions, then a visor is probably your best bet." Don't quote understand why that would be said if it wasn't implied??

There are stories of people being harassed and bullied for not wearing masks, even though they’re exempt. I assumed that’s why you felt the need to wear one. I meant that you shouldn’t let other people bully you into wearing a mask, if you’re exempt. I suggested a visor as a good compromise.

There have been threads about it.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3968396-To-ask-people-to-show-a-little-more-understanding-to-those-not-wearing-masks

None.

My son has severe asthma and is exempt but as he was shielding we want him to wear one if he can. We have had more success with a fabric mask than the disposable type. He can’t manage it for long but then again he isn’t going anywhere for long anyway!

If anyone has access to a 3D printer there are a few prints on thingiverse for a scaffold that fits within the mask and gives you a bit extra breathing room.
I've been meaning to print one all week and keep forgetting.