Obviously, I do not wear a mask for long periods of time, just when I go into a store or talk to someone outside the car window. However, the mask is not kind to my skin.
Like most masks, mine has a metal strip to conform to my nose/face. I did get a second type of mask that had a metal strip that barely bent and would not bend around my nose near the tip or side. So, I only wore masks with the better metal strip.
When I put on the mask, I press the metal strip around my nose right at the place just before the nose flares a bit. It makes a very snug fit and very little air get in or out around the edges of the mask.
However, the place where nose is narrower just before the flare is being hurt. I use my dominant hand and my index finger must be very powerful. I developed a place that hurt and was red. This went on for few weeks. Then, the red went away and it felt like a scab developed as the skin had a little thick place on it.
I was worried that it could be a skin cancer. But, I was not concerned enough to go to the dermatologist since it had recently been red and painful. Plus, now the thick place (scab?) seems smaller.
Plus, my jawline is very rough. sort of like it needs to be exfoliated every day. The mask does fit here.
Maybe it is the type fabric in the blue faced and white-lined surgical-like mask. I wonder if a cloth mask would be less rough on my skin. The feel is okay for me.
Can you tell any difference in your face since wearing a mask?
I have disposable masks (the blue ones) and I have 3 washable masks one which provides metal insert at the nose for a better fit. For some reason the mask that fits better at the nose was not made quite long enough and it means the elastic has to stretch and it hurts my left ear especially. So I tend to wear the other two masks but they don't have an insert for the nose. I'm going have to make inserts myself perhaps taking them from the disposable ones. The big issue I have is when I wear the masks just for brief periods I get so hot and have a hard time breathing. I end up breathing heavily and I'm sure creating too moist of environment inside the mask itself. All this in mind I just get out and do my business and wear the mask as little as possible. I hope you can get some fabric masks with ties. The elastic bands around the end tends to bother most people especially if they have to wear them for awhile. I think it's also good to make a fabric mask with the metal inserts around the nose for better fit and space to put a filter. I don't have either of those yet but I'll try and work on it. Keep safe.
ReplyDeleteJoyful.
DeleteI put on a mask before I leave the car, except for when I forget and then I open the door and get it. I really do not want ties since I would have to tie it with my long hair. Plus, I am sure that would hurt my shoulders. I would put liners from old masks, but I have material that is good as commercial liners to line ones I make. Between the oxygen tubes in my nose and over the ears, the mask elastic, and my glasses, my ears are suffering mightily! I could make masks with elastic around the back instead of my ears. That would work. Take care.
By the way, I only use the oxygen at night, never in the house or out of the house, just in bed.
DeleteI was just going to suggest that you get/make some with the elastic around the head. I bought masks for my grands that were like that. This way they can just take the mask down around their neck to take a drink and it doesn't have to go off and on the ears so much.
DeleteAlice,
DeleteThat is a good ide. Thanks.
That's a clever is to make a mask with the elastic around the back of your head instead of your ears. I know what you mean about using ties as i have long hair also. You have another good idea in using materials for liners. Whatever works for you is good. I'm glad you don't need the oxygen when you go out as that would make it so much harder.
DeleteJoyful,
DeleteI cannot imagine having to tie the mask ties with long hair!
Target has some very inexpensive masks. At my local store they are in a package of 2 for $4 (some are $4 each) Some, but not all have the little metal piece.
ReplyDeleteJanet,
DeleteI have several of the blue ones. Some have metal that will not conform, so I have ones I don't use. I like the ones that conform well.
The blue disposable ones seem to work best for me. I don't pinch the metal really tight, though. The cloth homemade ones I tried fogged up my glasses and hard to breath. The blue ones I can breath ok and don't fog up my glasses. They are so lightweight that the straps don't bother my ears at all, either.
ReplyDeleteI like the blue ones, too. I have not made any cloth ones, but when I do, I will take out the metal strips and use them. The lack of closeness provided by the metal strip keeps my glasses clear of fog. The straps do irritate my ears eventually because I have glasses on and I still have a bit of irritation from the oxygen tubes at night.
DeleteI'll try my disposable ones. I have them as back up. Maybe they will be better than the cloth ones I'm using as I can hardly breath when I go out.
DeleteJoyful,
DeleteI don't dispose of them, I wash them.
I feel like the masks irritate my nose.
ReplyDeleteBathwater,
DeleteJust that one side of mine seems to suffer.
yes my face is still alive and breathing thanks to them I reckon.
ReplyDeleteurspo,
DeleteExactly!
My daughter has to wear a mask during her 12 hr shift at work, they told her to either wear a Band-Aid or a breath right strip where the mask crosses her nose. She said it helped some. I don't leave the home most days, have no desire to take the chance
ReplyDeleteChef,
DeleteI might one of the tiny, round bandaids on the side of my nose that is getting irritated. We rarely go anyplace, but we wear masks if we lower the window or I got inside.