Wearing a mask ..

[WhoAmIWhoAreYou]

AIBU to think that wearing a mask makes your mouth dry which then makes your throat sore & makes you want to cough? Maybe it's just me! I wear a mask whenever in public and I've got a sore throat a tiny cough (not constant)
Maybe its because I'm asthmatic? I can't breathe properly!

(I know I'm likely exempt but refuse to not wear one because If I get covid, I'm likely to die!)

Address you breathing through your mouth when you're wearing the mask? I have a bit of a cold this week and am having to make sure I breathe through my nose, even though I am feeling congested.

Take some water with you. I'm asthmatic too and sometimes need to lift my mask to get a good few gulps of air. It's better than not wearing one at all.

And I don't think you're likely to die from covid just because you have asthma. We're at more risk from complications but the death rate is still very low, unless you're elderly or otherwise unfit.

(I know I'm likely exempt but refuse to not wear one because If I get covid, I'm likely to die!)

You know the mask protects others from you rather than you from others?

Have you tried different materials? I am nit a fan of the blue single use ones, but am absolutely fine with spacious cotton one.

I think it does for some especially if breathing habits aren't the best, There was a thing going around a few months that is said to come from a Breath Behaviour Analyst that your post reminded me, I'll copy the part advice from that it reminded me of in case it helps:

1. Nasal breathe only.

NEVER mouth breathe in a mask. Your nose thermoregulates and moistens the air to keep the lungs working properly and nasal hairs and mucus are the first line of defence for your immune system. Mouth breathing drys the airway, restricts alveolar intake, and gives you zero protection from any particles you inhale. This triggers the sympathetic nervous system and a whole host of physical responses best known as the flight or fight response.

The full advice can be found here

Before this pandemic I was unaware of how many people breathe exclusively through their mouths. Grim.

Hey- some of us have permanently blocked nasal passages from allergies, yes, we mouth breathe! Have some more compassion.

I think it’s like finding the right brand of jeans, you have to find the right mask! I bought a gorgeous one from Etsy - the most uncomfortable thing I have ever worn! I got another from a local shop, also annoying and too thick to breathe properly. For me the disposable ones are best.

Are you more anxious than normal OP? (I know, daft question)

The reason I ask is that the slightly sore throat/occasional cough thing could be caused by or at least exacerbated by anxiety. I had it for a bit when shit got real back in March. When I get tense, my throat constricts a bit and I produce less saliva (leading to mouth and throat feeling dry). The glands in my throat get a little swollen and I get an annoying little cough.

It comes and goes, I find. For me, it's 100% anxiety, I've had it checked out.

Sorry, just seen the link seems broken: www.facebook.com/room4U2breathe/posts/963668234092525

Before the pandemic, I imagine a lot of us were more unaware of our breathing patterns - the masks amplifies any issues. I seem to switch between the two a lot, I guess a holdover from having awful sinusitis repeatedly for years. As it says in the link, nose breathing when possible helps reduce the inflammation in the sinuses and clear mucus, though I know that can sometimes make breathing feel quite restricted and painful.

Before this pandemic I was unaware of how many people breathe exclusively through their mouths. Grim. twat comment of the day so far for the reason @IveSeenThings states.

@Littlecaf I always thought of it more like Goldilocks😂

This mask is too thick.
This mask is too small.
But this mask! This one is just right.

Wearing a mask makes my nose stream with snot. It's very unpleasant! No one else seems to get this.

Personally, no problems wearing mask but may just be lucky. Actually wear one outdoors on long walks now.

My route takes me through woods. Anyone else noticed, there are swarms of midges, Mosquitoes and those clouds of minuscule, tiny hovering things, not sure what they are, everywhere this year, much more so than other recent years?
I was constantly taking in nosefuls/ mouthfuls of the poor things, consequently coughing all over the place to the discomfort of other walkers I encountered.
The mask has solved that problem for me 😁

Thank you all. Lots of good tips. :) I never thought about the whole goldilocks thing. I do have several masks. I mainly use the reusable so that I can chuck it. Good idea to try the others more.

I am definitely more anxious than usual. I tic when I get stressed & this morning I had to get a train to St Thomas' (Id already avoided it for 3months) and I started opening my mouth wide & wanting to cough (cos I know I can't/shouldnt)

I will definitely try and breathe through my nose now.

Pharmacist at Sainsbury told me there’s no real need to wash masks either: just rotate and quarantine each for 72 hours (she did say “you didn’t hear that from me though” 😁)

@LouiseNW

Pharmacist at Sainsbury told me there’s no real need to wash masks either: just rotate and quarantine each for 72 hours (she did say “you didn’t hear that from me though” 😁)

Theoretically not wrong because the virus dies. But.

Yuck! With all the saliva and snot in many people cases😂

@WhoAmIWhoAreYou

(I know I'm likely exempt but refuse to not wear one because If I get covid, I'm likely to die!)

You are exempt from wearing a mask if you cannot wear one. You can wear one, so are not exempt

^"are", not "address"

I have five reusable masks that I wear in rotation. I only go out 2/3 times a week so these five are enough for a fortnight. I have only washed them when they got very sweaty or had makeup marks. When I’m not wearing them they hang airing on a hook.

My reasoning was that Covid germs are thought to last a maximum of 72 hours on fabric so I wouldn’t contaminate myself by repeat wearing an unwashed one ten days or two weeks later.

Masks also make my nose run then I have to sniff in an unladylike fashion

I have to mouth breathe as nasal passages congenitally very narrow.
I am using those wee silicon spacer things and wow what a difference in my comfort in a fabric mask - got 5 for under a fiver on Ebay

@daisyjgrey

Before this pandemic I was unaware of how many people breathe exclusively through their mouths. Grim.

Oh, I actually have to do this. Please don't call me grim, it's a medical issue.