Asthma scarf fashion

[Wheezycat]

So the scarf time of year has arrived. Perhaps others, like me, struggle to find a comfortable solution. Truthfully I am not really bothered about fashion (that’s just me!) but I do like to feel comfortable.

So far I manage it mainly with scarves, non-fluffy ones, as I don’t like the feeling of wet fluff in my mouth, and it works reasonably, but could be better. I also have a buff which is reasonable, but can at times give me that squashed nose feeling which I don’t like. My worst is finding a balance between steamy glasses and plenty cover. I have tried the rubbing soap on glasses method, but it didn’t much help I found. I am considering knitting g a buff, but would that help? For me it feels essential, by the way, I hate that cold feeling going down my airways.

So who has found good solutions? And, for those who care about looks, what do you do?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I'm afraid I can't help with the glasses issue (I hate glasses for many reasons, the steam thing being one of them, so have been wearing contacts for years).

I have spent a while experimenting with the best scarves, as I like to look nice too. I've found the best kind are medium-weight jersey or chenille, with a good length and width. I loop round my neck once so the ends are hanging down at the front, cross these ends over and then pull the loop round my neck over my nose and mouth. It stays put that way but I can still breathe through the material. Short scarves, or skinny ones, don't work, and some materials aren't good to breathe through.

I do also have an infinity fake fur scarf which is big enough to loop twice over my head and is perfect - just right for warming but not suffocating, and stays put - though needs to be worn with a coat that has a high neck or it doesn't cover my whole chest. It was a present from a friend and goes with almost anything I wear. I also have some fake fur snood things (weirdly bought on holiday in Lanzarote, presumably sold for tourists since I can't imagine when you'd wear them there).

Hope this helps people! I never used to bother with scarves until my lungs started acting up, and now I absolutely have to start earlier than I ever used to bother when they behaved themselves. This method really does help to cut down on cold air as a trigger and changes in air temperature (sadly not found one for other weather issues yet...).

[Wheezycat in reply to Lysistrata]

I like your loop system! I am just trying now to see if it improves things. It will be one of those scarf on-scarf off- scarf on-scarf off-scarf on days, and maybe that loop will help.

I have just dug out my ‘ silk’ scarf (not sure whether it is the real thing). It is big, big enough to tie round your hips with bits handing down, but thin enough not to be swamped if I wear it as a scarf. It is not so cold today, I think, but I am about to try that with my roomier buff. With both up indoors, it is certainly warm!

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to Wheezycat]

What's a buff??

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to LDloveslattecoffe]

buffwear.co.uk

Think bikers or bank robber face covers 😉😂 (can get a lot cheaper just this is the site 😅)

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to EmmaF91]

I thought they wore balaclavas with just eye and mouth holes lol x

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to LDloveslattecoffe]

Nope. Get with the times man... bank robbing gone trendy (probably because its now a tad suspicious for a young man to go and buy 3-4 balaclavas but buffs are worn by bikers so is all good 😅😂) (ps more legally they are also warn by skiers 🤣)

[SheilaC]

I agree that glasses steaming up is a problem. I have tried to use a mask when doing a dusty job and have found I've had to take my glasses off.

I react badly to cold air and wind so bought myself a bright pink balaclava! When we go for a walk I put my hood up too so that it just looks as though I have a scarf across my nose and mouth. It works for me but I don't need glasses for distance so am not sure if the balaclava would cause them to steam up.

[Wheezycat in reply to SheilaC]

That is an interesting idea! I have always steered clear of balaclavas....I grew up in a very northern, snowy, cold climate, and head gear etc was a must, but balaclavas were never seen, so for me they have remained an unfamiliar oddity. But, yes, I can see that it is worth considering for this! And it is bright pink! I also got myself a hooded coat last year. I found the combo of scarf round face and hat on head difficult to manage. The hat ended up at a peculiar angle eventually, more often than not over one eye. The hood helped loads with this!

I plan to try the soap-on-glasses trick again, to stop, or at least try to reduce the steam.

[Wheezycat in reply to SheilaC]

Since your comment re the balaclava, I have looked up patterns for crocheted or knitted balaclavas. There are some interesting ones out there......think helmet of a Roman soldier, or a green balaclava where the lower face region is covered with octopus arms. It reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean. I will not go that far! But I am still researching.

[SheilaC in reply to Wheezycat]

I didn't think of knitting one and I do a lot of knitting. It could be better than the fleecy type material on mine if you could choose a yarn that does not have 'bits'. My grandchildren would probably be delighted to see my face covered with octopus arms - although my grand daughter would probably disown me but my grand son may stick with me.

[Wheezycat in reply to SheilaC]

If interested it was on Ravelry. I haven’t looked on Drops yet.

[K8ty25]

Yes scarves are an essential wardrobe item from October to March. Its less the cold i struggle with and more the wind. I have a couple of heavier scarves to wear if im going to be outside for a longer time. However my day to day scarves where bought from a company on ebay called the gifted owl. I love them as they have so many colours and styles. I can breathe through the material and mostly they are light enough to wear to the office as an accessory.

I too suffer from steamy glasses but haven't yet come up with a solution for this.

[Wheezycat in reply to K8ty25]

That sounds sort of closer to the way I manage it. I have rectangular shawls but in fine materials. If bunched up they can be really warm, and breathable. I also have a skinny one I made myself and I like it, but the skinniness makes it hard to arrange well.

[K8ty25 in reply to Wheezycat]

They can be harder to find but a triangular scarf works really well

[hilary39]

I have four I alternate between! Two are those circular ones which I find comfy and fashionable(ish). I use a scarf every day as my building has pet owners and I worry they track fur into the hallway etc. Gotta love the asthma scarf...

[Blue-Breeze]

I love love my scarves well before asthma. I use the pashmina type ( as in length and width type). These come in all types of quality cheap to going on posh night. I tie then various ways. Now if it's really cold then I use a light one over the mouth as it helps air in and out. I keep soft one at all times (in winter), for the quick grab up to the mouth for the lazy cougher who loves to share their germs when shopping, doctors or hospital

[Wheezycat in reply to Blue-Breeze]

That is close to what I do use. But it hides the fact that I have a neck completely, and can resist being arranged, at least mine do. I hadn’t thought of having one for coughing. A good idea! I always feel a bit guilty, even though I know most of my coughing are not major germ spreaders. Except when I have an infection of course.

[Blue-Breeze in reply to Wheezycat]

I say to people now openly not catching it's asthma. My main worry now is catching things. I sat in A&E once (asthma) the lady next to me openly coughed. Yep you guessed it I came down with the chest infection she'd picked up on her cruise! So I don't care now what people think (ok just a tad) but it's like self preservation for me

[Msbutterfly]

Hi Wheezycat,

My doctor suggested I get masks with a valve/filter. I'm allergic to all things scented so often when I come into contact with anything/anyone smelly (in the nicest possible way!), my asthma is triggered, I use inhalers/nebuliser & the mask goes on. Wonderful between March & September for dog walking among pollens too.

I've got over looking a complete plonker when wearing it but, I draw the line at having two elastic straps going over my head & messing my hair up!!! So, I cut them in half & knot each side so they loop over the ears. My sun glasses don't get steamed up, thanks to the filter. Worth a try.

I had no idea what a buff was! Just googled it so, I've learnt something too. In the winter, there's nothing nicer than a cashmere scarf

[Wheezycat in reply to Msbutterfly]

I have a mask, one that hooks onto my ears, but as my ears also have to accommodate glasses and hearing aids, another thing was a bit much, so I have added a bit of band to tie round my head. I have no hair style to worry about, I have used it on a flight, to try to avoid picking up circulated germs, and with wood burners, and with my own Christmas Day oven roast, but not for cold weather. Is it not hard to breathe through when walking? And does it warm the air?

[lucy_felton]

I end up wearing scarves for most of the year - for winter weather and summer air conditioning. I have perennial rhinitis as well as asthma so I also need to protect the lining of my nose from getting sore and cracking. As I breathe through them I wash them quite regularly and try to remember not to do a perfumed conditioner in that wash.

I'm going to try the soap trick on my glasses. I wear glasses when cycling more to protect my eyes than for vision as my meds make my eyes dry, so I find myself trying to peer over them when they get steamed up. I used to go snorkelling and I've often wondered whether that spitting in the lens trick would work?!

[Wheezycat in reply to lucy_felton]

I wonder about wearing swimming glasses/snorkel mask for daily wear, like whats’isface in the film Notting Hill. Do they steam up? My snorkel mask does, and I just wash it out with sea water. No sea water I. York,though, unless bottled.

[SheilaC in reply to Wheezycat]

Oh well I suppose the snorkel would be on the same theme as the octopus arms!