Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it?

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Courtney_J

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15/09/2020 at 12:47

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Courtney_J

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Last activity on 13/10/2022 at 16:47

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Hello everyone,

How are you today? emoticon cute

I thought I would open this discussion to talk about masks.

It can be difficult to adjust to wearing a mask when going out, especially for those with respiratory conditions like COPD.
Do you find it difficult to wear a mask? Does it aggravate or irritate your COPD? What do you do? Do you have any tips or techniques to make it more comfortable? Has your GP given you any advice?
@teebsybhoy‍ @Sheilamarsh‍ @Cathymac‍ @Bigman‍ @rpt1952‍ @madmazz14‍ @madmaz‍ @Chutneymaster‍ @elise2018‍ @Gareth0425‍ @normabray‍ @Jack17‍ @June1958‍ @Deano36‍ @Gillybeanz‍ @Eileen65‍ @Susan6‍ @Mandy9‍ @Angliz‍

Feel free to share your experiences and advice here!

Take care,
Courtney

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laney365

12/10/2020 at 14:08

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laney365

Last activity on 10/06/2025 at 20:04

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I also prefer the face shields. Much better for breathing and I don’t get so hot. Only a problem if I need to change glasses.

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Laney365

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-12 14:08:40

Scotty2

15/10/2020 at 10:18

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Scotty2

Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 08:14

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Hi Everyone

I have 60% lung function so wearing a mask was a struggle for me, but knowing I had to do everything possible to minimise the risk of catching covid I persevered. I tried various types of mask and now use one of the black slightly stretchy ones. I put it on just before going into premises and take it off as soon as possible.

The advice about practicing at home with a mask is good. Visors do not give much protection, but apparently spectacles do, Though I wish I could stop mine steaming up. Morrison's told me that I could get an exemption badge from customer services, I expect other supermarkets are doing the same. My thoughts on that are that if you are so bad you can not breathe in a mask you should be getting most things delivered or getting help from the wonderful army of volunteers who have been absolute angels in this crisis.

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-15 10:18:46

PAULA.D

Edited on 15/10/2020 at 11:08

PAULA.D

Last activity on 20/04/2025 at 17:34

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Hi, my first post, well i have a few different masks i've bought over the time, the black ones with the cloth filter, for me, not good it sends me into panic attack mode (bought off Amazon 3 for about £9.99 with spare filters). than there's the visor i found very easy to use breathe as normal but make sure it's not scratched in the line of vision like mine is (£1.99 from B&M) the last one i bought has a valve hole, much easier to breathe with than the black ones, the dearest of the lot but worth it i think, bought off (UK meds £14.95, £2.99 shipping, FFP2/N95 grey) hope this helps someone. Oh nearly forgot, a tip for people that wear glasses that always get steamed up, mens shaving foam, wash the lens bit with the shaving foam, rinse and dry with kitchen roll, it always works on the bathroom mirror.

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-15 11:01:18

Jenny91

15/10/2020 at 19:57

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Jenny91

Last activity on 05/05/2025 at 12:25

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I find it hard to breath wearing a mask They always make me sweat and I don’t like the shields

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Jennifer Searle

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-15 19:57:05

Kenc

20/10/2020 at 16:49

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Kenc

Last activity on 18/06/2024 at 11:49

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I struggle to use a face mask, but I wear one only when I need to then remove it. It’s difficult to breathe and becomes very hot after a short while. I was told that a face shield dies not give any protection from the virus, so I did not get one

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Ken

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-20 16:49:59

Hippymum

Edited on 02/11/2020 at 20:52

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Hippymum

Last activity on 18/10/2023 at 18:52

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I bought a stack of masks online, some fabric and some the same as the NHS use.

The fabric ones I found got very hot and as they were so close to my mouth I ended up with the fabric in my mouth which made breathing very difficult and made me panic.

The NHS type were similar but cooler. The fabric still got in my mouth. I then bought a plastic "lipstick guard" and that solved the problem brilliantly. It keeps the mask out of my mouth and gives me a large airspace to breathe in so I don't feel so claustrophobic and panic to breathe.

I tried visors, on glasses and on a headband, but I couldn't see through them so had to keep lifting them to see so they were a total waste of time for me. I tried washing them and spraying them with shaving foam to no avail. The plastic was too cloudy to see through so they got relegated to the charity shop pile!

I now keep a pack of NHS type masks in the car together with the plastic cage. This has been the only thing that doesn't end up with me unable to breathe and panicking.

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-11-02 20:48:58

Mikest

16/11/2020 at 13:03

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Mikest

Last activity on 07/01/2022 at 10:32

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My problem with masks is that they make my spectacles steam up. I use a visor whenever i can, which I find more comfortable

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-11-16 13:03:03

robjmckinney

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16/11/2020 at 13:07

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robjmckinney

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Last activity on 11/06/2025 at 20:47

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There are sprays that stop the glasses fogging up, simple to use. But I bought mine from Specsavers but no doubt much cheaper online!

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robjmckinney

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-11-16 13:07:13

AmyQuinn

20/11/2020 at 22:34

AmyQuinn

Last activity on 09/04/2025 at 08:30

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I find it very difficult to way a mask because i get breathless snd start to panic i find i need to leave the shop at times ti take the mask off .

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-11-20 22:34:14

NannieAnn

21/11/2020 at 17:39

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NannieAnn

Last activity on 28/05/2025 at 18:41

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Find it very difficult to wear face masks. My breathing goes much much worse when wearing them. I have a landyard to wear when going out. Some people pass comment but I try to ignore them.

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-11-21 17:39:02

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it?

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