Face Coverings and their comfort

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

What sort of masks have people tried that work well? It's obvious that we need them, so I need to find something that will work.

I've tried a homemade pleated cotton mask - but as I was a bit anxious at the time, I felt slightly lightheaded and suffocated with it. It felt massive.

Today I had a medical appointment and wore a paper surgical type mask. Only during the appointment it decided to start migrating upwards and cover my left eye. Which obviously wasn't ideal.

Are there any that behave themselves and don't try and blind or suffocate their owner? There must be as so many people in asia wear them without being murdered by them.

They Don’t make you lightheaded. That’s in your mind. All this stuff on carbon dioxide poisoning needs to stop.

They make me lightheaded. It feels stuffy within seconds. If you've had 10 weeks of covid symptoms then putting on something that makes it harder to breathe is not ideal.

I work in a pharmacy and we have to wear a mask all day. Sorry but it’s true the feeling of being light headed is probably mostly imagined. When I first started wearing one I was self conscious and roasting hot and felt uncomfortable all day now I’m used to it. Not the most comfortable things I’ve ever worn but you do get used it it. Even the paper ones if you wear it right and get the metal strip comfortable and the bottom sitting under your chin right they stay where they are.

I’ve tried the surgical masks and “fashion” fabric masks, neither has made me feel lightheaded. It’s most likely in your head OP

I wear the FFP2 dust masks with a filter and can breathe fine.
I agree that the light-headed feeling can be mainly in your head. It's panic because it feels strange breathing warm air.

I concentrate on breathing slowly and eventually it feels normal.

I've been wearing masks for weeks in Germany
Disposable non-medical ones and now I've got the washables

It's a legal requirement for weeks, so I knew I just had to get on with them

The key is put them on, check for comfort, then don't fiddle
After a few days, they seemed completely natural and I just forgot them

I'm not looking forward to a 40C heatwave like last summer though

Breathe through your nose, unless its blocked
The mouth seems to give out more hot air !

I mentioned nothing about CO2 poisoning. Yes, my lightheadedness was psychological in cause. Nevertheless it was a real physical symptom and I'd quite like not to have a panic attack. This is why I'm asking about different designs. Telling me it's in my head is astonishgly unhelpful and upsetting when I'm looking for practical solutions that would mean I could actually step into a shop.

Wish I'd not asked now because I feel worse.

Some more helpful posts, thank you :)

So how can I stop masks from riding up over my eyes?

Whether it’s psychological or not, every time I wear a mask to the supermarket, by the end of the trip the part of my face that is is sweating and a bit sore and I feel like I’m going to pass out.

I’ll continue wearing, obviously, but it’s horrible. I’ve got a washable one, but was thinking of trying the disposable ones. But seems they are the same...

the part of my face that is covered that should say

.i was wondering if the ones shaped like a bra might be better,

I've made fabric masks with a metal strip over the nose that bends to provide a close fit and stops my glasses steaming up.

*@PerspicaciaTick@ Where did you buy your wire? I've got my fabric and elastic and was about to start sewing tomorrow (rainy weekend). Wire would make my masks a lot better.

Totally agree that they are a pain. I'm asthmatic and I fell panicky in a mask. yes I'm sure its psychological but feels real.
The other thing is when I breathe out my glasses steam up and I can't see things properly on the shelves.
If any one has a mask which overcomes this please tell.

I've added some pipe cleaner lengths to the nose parts of mine for wires - about 3cm and the fabric slightly rolled round them with a few stitches to hold them. Make the very ends a bit blunter by bending them up. They seem to work so far.

@thenightsky I followed the suggestion in my instructions to use an unfolded paperclip. I used pliers to twist the ends over and then encased the whole lot in fabric to pad it a bit. Then sewed it into the mask's hem where it goes over the nose.
I raided my DDs sewing kit for beads to make the elastic adjustable.
www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/

I've tried one of the paper disposable masks and a Buff type scarf, felt lightheaded and hot with both types, and my glasses wouldn't stop steaming up. Started to feel quite panicky to be honest.

They Don’t make you lightheaded. That’s in your mind

They can when you are having panic attacks due to ptsd caused by past experiences.

exactly bonsai.

of course ptsd is all in our heads too.