dsmith Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 I have trouble with most masks - I get out of breath if I do any physical activity while wearing them, especially if it's warm wherever I am. I bought the Happy Mask hoping that I would be able to function longer, and I do get a few minutes longer than other masks before I start getting out of breath. I wash my masks every other week (unless I was in a higher risk environment) following the manufacturers recommendations, and probably wear it 2 - 3 times a week in lower risk conditions for short periods of time. My older mask is 4 months old. I noticed the last two times I have worn it that I have a much easier time breathing in it. MUCH easier. Now I feel like it's not protecting me at all. Has anyone else noticed this? Quote
PeterPan Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 My mask that I washed multiple times doesn't fog up my glasses as much. I assume it reflects a certain amount of wear/degradation, but I don't know how significant it is. You could call them and ask. Quote
dsmith Posted January 25, 2021 Author Posted January 25, 2021 11 minutes ago, PeterPan said: My mask that I washed multiple times doesn't fog up my glasses as much. I assume it reflects a certain amount of wear/degradation, but I don't know how significant it is. You could call them and ask. I'm going to contact them tomorrow. On the site they say it will get harder to breathe in the mask when it's starting to wear out, at about 250 hours of wear. I'm nowhere near that amount though. I probably do 20 minutes a week. Quote
dsmith Posted January 25, 2021 Author Posted January 25, 2021 Just now, Seasider too said: I did not notice that. What I did notice is that the second HM I ordered seems....different...from the first, even though I ordered the same style, size and color. I have one of each size because the smaller size felt a little odd on my face, but the larger is a little too large although I don't feel any gaps. Is it the fit that's off or the materials? I'm hesitant to order any more, but I'll see what customer service has to say before I decide. Quote
prairiewindmomma Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 As an aside, can I suggest you get a dr appointment to check out the problems wearing a mask issue? You should be able to walk around and do the basics without struggling, even if you have some mild pulmonary function issues. Quote
Ausmumof3 Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 Are you air drying or using a dryer? I notice our dryer takes a tonne of lint out of the clothes. It could also be that the weave has relaxed over time making the holes bigger. I have trouble feeling like I can’t breathe as well the few times I’ve had to wear them. Quote
MEmama Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 (edited) Mine is new and I only wear it when I’m in public, which is rare—maybe 20 mins once every 2 weeks. I do find it’s easier for breathe in than other masks because the design allows some air space around my mouth and nose, so I don’t physically suck the mask in like with cloth masks. I'm skeptical that it performs better than my other masks since my glasses still fog up, but I still wear it when I’m near people just in case. eta I hand wash and air dry only. Edited January 25, 2021 by MEmama Quote
klmama Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 8 hours ago, Seasider too said: The first one did not last as long as it should have. I had a very busy week volunteering for an activity and afterwards it held a perspiration odor that I could not get out following their washing instructions (including spraying with alcohol). So I tossed it. I tried soaking with regular Oxyclean when that happened. The HM said they only recommended dish detergent, but I figured it was worth a try. The smell came out, and it didn't seem to affect breathability. Quote
dsmith Posted January 25, 2021 Author Posted January 25, 2021 11 hours ago, prairiewindmomma said: As an aside, can I suggest you get a dr appointment to check out the problems wearing a mask issue? You should be able to walk around and do the basics without struggling, even if you have some mild pulmonary function issues. That's on my to do list. I have the same issue in hot weather unmasked, which is made worse by MS-related symptoms from heat. I can be masked longer in cold weather. I make it about 15 minutes in a store, so I only go into small stores. It's very frustrating! 1 Quote
dsmith Posted January 25, 2021 Author Posted January 25, 2021 7 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said: Are you air drying or using a dryer? I notice our dryer takes a tonne of lint out of the clothes. It could also be that the weave has relaxed over time making the holes bigger. I have trouble feeling like I can’t breathe as well the few times I’ve had to wear them. I'm air drying - it says on the website and the insert that came with the masks that they are not machine washable. That is my worry, that the weave is not as tight or the membrane, and it's letting more in. I'm hoping to hear back from the company about this. It says 50 washes, I'm probably on 16 washes. 1 Quote
dsmith Posted January 25, 2021 Author Posted January 25, 2021 4 hours ago, MEmama said: Mine is new and I only wear it when I’m in public, which is rare—maybe 20 mins once every 2 weeks. I do find it’s easier for breathe in than other masks because the design allows some air space around my mouth and nose, so I don’t physically suck the mask in like with cloth masks. I'm skeptical that it performs better than my other masks since my glasses still fog up, but I still wear it when I’m near people just in case. eta I hand wash and air dry only. I purchased a pack of the metal strips for masks on Amazon and ended up putting one closer to edge of the mask. The one they have is too low and didn't prevent my glasses from fogging up. It works much better with the added strip. I have to replace it often though as the adhesive isn't very strong. 1 1 Quote
prairiewindmomma Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 If you think part of the issue is overheating, do you have something like a Frogg Toggs cooling neck wrap that you can wear when you have to venture out? https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Chilly-Sport-Cooling/dp/B06XQ7J2R8 When I lived in the tropics, I also had a small battery operated portable fan that I could pull out to blow on my face. Quote
Ausmumof3 Posted January 25, 2021 Posted January 25, 2021 8 hours ago, Seasider too said: Wow I have never felt like I was having trouble breathing in my HM. I love it because I find it breathable. Not OP, but I air dry. Are y’all using the basic model or the pro series? Not a happy mask at all shipping is too expensive to get them here and I think when I first looked they weren’t available. I have used a wool one and also paper surgical masks. Both times it was quite hot so I suspect it’s heat/Humidity that’s the problem. Quote
dsmith Posted January 26, 2021 Author Posted January 26, 2021 21 hours ago, prairiewindmomma said: If you think part of the issue is overheating, do you have something like a Frogg Toggs cooling neck wrap that you can wear when you have to venture out? https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Chilly-Sport-Cooling/dp/B06XQ7J2R8 When I lived in the tropics, I also had a small battery operated portable fan that I could pull out to blow on my face. I have these: https://www.koldtec.com/pages/ice-towel They help with the general overheating issues but I think it's the humidity in the mask that may be causing the shortness of breath. If I do get overheated I get what's called the MS hug, which feels like my chest is being squeezed, so combined with a mask it was impossible to go out in the heat for more than 5 minutes in a mask. Now my worry is long vaccine lines when I finally get an invitation to make an appointment. I'm having a lot of anxiety about how to deal with this. I'll bring my Koldtec ice towels, and I'm trying out different masks seeing how long I can tolerate them. I do better sitting, so I may buy a rollator just for that event. Quote
easypeasy Posted January 26, 2021 Posted January 26, 2021 Try the blowing-out-a-candle test! If you still can't blow out a candle while wearing the mask, then it should still be protecting you and the holes/weave should be 👍! Quote
MEmama Posted January 26, 2021 Posted January 26, 2021 23 hours ago, dsmith said: I purchased a pack of the metal strips for masks on Amazon and ended up putting one closer to edge of the mask. The one they have is too low and didn't prevent my glasses from fogging up. It works much better with the added strip. I have to replace it often though as the adhesive isn't very strong. Thanks! I happen to have some of the metal strips and will try that trick. 1 Quote
dsmith Posted January 27, 2021 Author Posted January 27, 2021 On 1/26/2021 at 11:24 AM, easypeasy said: Try the blowing-out-a-candle test! If you still can't blow out a candle while wearing the mask, then it should still be protecting you and the holes/weave should be 👍! Thanks, I'll be trying that today. I'm sure my son will enjoy laughing at me though.😂 1 Quote
easypeasy Posted January 27, 2021 Posted January 27, 2021 4 hours ago, dsmith said: Thanks, I'll be trying that today. I'm sure my son will enjoy laughing at me though.😂 It works, though! lol Worth entertaining the kid for a while! 🙂 Quote
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