Home
Share
Forum
COPD Forum
Living with COPD
Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it?

Back

Patients COPD

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

879 views
63 times supported
43 comments

Courtney_J

Community manager

15/09/2020 at 12:47

Good advisor

Courtney_J

Community manager

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

Joined in 2020

1,280 comments posted | 47 in the COPD Forum

10 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

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

All comments

Go to the last comment

mariejo

Edited on 17/09/2020 at 11:20

Good advisor

mariejo

Last activity on 28/06/2023 at 12:27

Joined in 2018

15 comments posted | 15 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@Courtney_J It's been hard for me. I already struggle with breathlessness, but with the mask at first it was even worse. My GP recommended that I "practice" wearing it at home where I'm comfortable and that did help. I at least don't have that feeling of panic when I put it on. I also made sure to get one that's moisture-wicking, because once it gets a bit wet from my breath it makes it even worse. I really do try to my best to wear it and make my trips the shops and things quick.

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-09-17 11:20:22

annpmunday

21/09/2020 at 16:19

Good advisor

annpmunday

Last activity on 07/08/2024 at 17:34

Joined in 2020

3 comments posted | 2 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I only wear it when necessary - entering the Spa Grocers or the Post Office

See the signature

Ann P Munday

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-09-21 16:19:45

cookiemonster

21/09/2020 at 21:24

cookiemonster

Last activity on 10/01/2021 at 20:49

Joined in 2017

1 comment posted | 1 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I find wearing a protective visor better,

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-09-21 21:24:21

Shazyanne

22/09/2020 at 13:35

Good advisor

Shazyanne

Last activity on 15/09/2021 at 18:07

Joined in 2016

8 comments posted | 6 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I had difficulty breathing in a mask, But I found a bandana type face covering so much easier to breathe in

See the signature

Shaz

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-09-22 13:35:21

annpmunday

23/09/2020 at 18:51

Good advisor

annpmunday

Last activity on 07/08/2024 at 17:34

Joined in 2020

3 comments posted | 2 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I just wear one when I absolutely need to

See the signature

Ann P Munday

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-09-23 18:51:03

Mikest

30/09/2020 at 10:30

Good advisor

Mikest

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

Joined in 2018

18 comments posted | 5 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I find a visor much more comfortable than a mask, especially since my glasses don’t steam up

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-09-30 10:30:52

Courtney_J

Community manager

30/09/2020 at 14:24

Good advisor

Courtney_J

Community manager

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

Joined in 2020

1,280 comments posted | 47 in the COPD Forum

10 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@cookiemonster @Mikest Face shields and visors seem to be a popular option for those with respiratory conditions. Where did you find them? Are they easily available at the pharmacy or did you have to purchase them online?

Take care,
Courtney

See the signature

Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity UK

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-09-30 14:24:13

Mikest

01/10/2020 at 09:42

Good advisor

Mikest

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

Joined in 2018

18 comments posted | 5 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I bought my two visors online from Amazon. As I recall they were about £5 each, although some much more expensive ones are also available

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-01 09:42:54

robbo1952

Edited on 07/10/2020 at 10:57

robbo1952

Last activity on 11/08/2021 at 18:48

Joined in 2017

1 comment posted | 1 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I purchased plastic frames that fit snuggly under the mask and off your face.

You can purchase them from Amazon

See the signature

J Robson

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-05 23:17:52

Unregistered member

06/10/2020 at 12:25

I tried a few masks but all left me breathless ..now I use shield that is attached to glasses frame...it has worked very well

Wearing a face mask with COPD: How to cope with it? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/copd/living-with-copd/wearing-a-face-mask-with-copd-how-to-cope-with-it-3751 2020-10-06 12:25:33

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

27/09/2024 | News

Emphysema: Everything you need to know!

10/08/2024 | Advice

COPD and heatwave: what can you do to manage better?

22/05/2024 | Testimonial

COPD: "Determine to be as well as you can for as long as you can."

21/11/2023 | News

COPD: understanding the effects of cold weather on the disease and avoiding exacerbations

11/03/2019 | Advice

COPD diagnosis: Carenity members tell their story

21/03/2018 | Testimonial

Managing Asthma, COPD and Diabetes: steroids, side effects and food diary

16/11/2015 | News

New lung trial gives hope to thousands of COPD sufferers

08/11/2018 | Testimonial

Quitting smoking, a fight against COPD

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

All comments

Give your opinion

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

Medication fact sheets - patient opinions...