Mask wearing

[Trekkerbabe]

I struggle to wear any type of mask for more than a few minutes without starting to sweat and see stars. I have to hold the mask away from my face to get enough oxygen in. Feel like it's sort of claustrophobic reaction. Does anyone else have similar and how do you cope?

Sweaty yes but not light headed. I feel like I am breathing hard. I watch other people in their masks to see if they are puffing too. Most other masks don't seem to be moving with the person's breath, but I can feel my face cover moving in and out a lot. Not sure if I'm just a huffy person.

It's very rare I have to have it on my face more than 10 minutes straight so bearable.

Yes I feel very short of breath. I do have lung disease but wouldn't dream of claiming exemption. I find it helps to use a bulky mask. I make my own and use a pattern which is quite big yet fairly well fitting /sealed so the mask doesn't cling to my face.

Thanks both. I had to wear one for a hour today and struggled.

@Tyzz are you able to share the pattern?

Yes but I have got use to it and I'm also a care assistant in a care home and have to wear full ppe and it's unbearable. Those nurses who have worn it from the beginning of all this need a medal.

You can buy a cage that you insert inside your mask to hold it away from your mouth and nose.

I switched to wearing a visor after the hyperventilating kicked in after standing in a shop for 45 seconds, it wasn't the first time and the overload was kicking in quicker and quicker.

Wearing a mask isn't protecting anyone when you run a high chance of needing a first aider come close to help you.

This is why the law recognises the need for exemptions.

I did feel like that but found a really good mask on etsy (after a recommendation here) that has two layers and is comfy. I was originally wearing the surgical type ones but wanted something reusable and these ones have the benefit of not having my glasses steam up- I find if my specs are foggy I feel more uncomfortable and panicky).

I got a brilliant one on Etsy as well. Someone on my recommended it. The design keeps the material away from my nose and mouth.

@BogRollBOGOF

I switched to wearing a visor after the hyperventilating kicked in after standing in a shop for 45 seconds, it wasn't the first time and the overload was kicking in quicker and quicker.

Wearing a mask isn't protecting anyone when you run a high chance of needing a first aider come close to help you.

This is why the law recognises the need for exemptions.

There's no visors in Scotland.

Op sounds like youre overheating a bit. There's actually these fans disguised as headphones that blow cool hair up at your face. It may sound naff but I've heard ppl saying that they really help.

I have found it really hard to wear a mask for this reason, I have really bad claustrophobia. Solution was to get a DIY dustmask that is quite stiff so when I breathe in it doesn't stick to my mouth. I also sometimes wear a cotton scarf like a bandana but much bigger so there is no gap under my chin as it tucks into my top. It's a lot less sweaty.

Keeps your boobs warm too so all good

@Ginfordinner

You can buy a cage that you insert inside your mask to hold it away from your mouth and nose.

Yes I use these, I can wear masks for hours and they never get damp or cling to my nose. Bonus is that my lipstick stays intact! Mine are like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3D-Face-Mask-Bracket-Protect-Lipstick-Inner-Support-Holder-Breathing-Smoothly/313205219609?hash=item48ec7c6119:g:nYsAAOSwyOxfkUXP

@Trekkerbabe

is the mask I make. I use cotton fabric and it's by far the best mask of the many I have tried and made. I wore it today for nearly an hour and it was quite comfortable.

One thing I do slightly differently is I use one long piece of elastic so it fastens behind my head as it's more comfortable plus I have hearing aids.

DD made me a pleated mask, but I still have problems with steamed up glasses with it.

I found this style of face mask the best for comfort and less steaming up of glasses. The material sits a little away from the face so it is easier to breathe as well.

Thank you all for your responses and suggestions.... deciding which might be the best option for me and then I will order. I really appreciate the advice.

@TartanDMs I think it was me that recommended that etsy shop

There's no visors in Scotland

People keep saying that, but presumably there are exemptions to masks for disabled people, so if they find a visor easier (and better than nothing) that is permitted? It would seem a bit silly to say mask or nothing at all.

China used draconian measures to rid themselves of covid, one of them being that absolutely no-one was exempt from wearing a mask in public.

Shops, restaurants and other public buildings had a no mask, no entry rule with no exceptions. I guess people who couldn't wear masks just stayed at home. They were also very strict about contact tracing - no getting away with giving false names and addresses in restaurants

www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-china-back-to-normal-us-europe-struggle-2020-10?r=US&IR=T&utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

Except a visor isn’t better than nothing, it’s the same as nothing when it comes to Covid and how exhalations disperse.

If you can afford to then order a range of products to try as everyone is different and try some mindfulness techniques because you are absolutely getting plenty of oxygen it is anxiety/claustrophobia.

It is worth building up your tolerance somewhere you feel safe and comfortable such as at home, this feeling can be improved but it will take time.

The papery surgical ones are the easiest to get used to because they're so light.
Initially I had fabric ones but I found them very hot and restrictive (and I don't suffer with claustrophobia or anything, but began to feel breathless quickly)

Visors only work if they're over a mask. That's common knowledge by now. If you're exempt, you're exempt. The cynic in me thinks visor makers might be doing some canny marketing because you literally might as well not bother unless there's a mask as well.

I haven't found a comfortable mask yet. When I was in the office ans had to wear it for any period of time I had to keep pulling it away from my face so I could breathe properly - I know you're not supposed to touch them but it's that or feel faint. I also have an allergic cough that gets a lot worse when I'm wearing a mask.

(Before anyone has a go I obviously don't do this on the rare occasion I go in a shop. In that case the mask goes on as I get to the door and comes off as I leave)