Some of the scientific evidence on fa... - Asthma Community ...

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Some of the scientific evidence on facemask wearing and asthma.

2 years ago•6 Replies

Warning from AUK:

This post is not endorsed by Asthma UK and would normally be removed, however the conversation that it has generated maybe useful for forum members in the future. Please visit asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge... for our advice on facemasks

Just wanted to share some of the evidence about the potential disbenefits of wearing facemasks to help people make more informed decisions about the things that may affect them:

This study found that all age-groups of asthma sufferers complained of mask-related breathing difficulties, disturbing smell, heat, sweating and skin problems regardless of the type of mask used. Interestingly a small number of the young ones found it helped, probably due to the psychological effect of feeling safer or fitting in. Highly supportive of the idea that we should be able to make a personal choice.

Maison, N., Herbrüggen, H., Schaub, B., Schauberger, C., Foth, S., Grychtol, R., Abdo, M., Watz, H., Nikolaizik, W., Rabe, K.F. and Kopp, M.V., 2021. Impact of imposed social isolation and use of face masks on asthma course and mental health in pediatric and adult patients with recurrent wheeze and asthma. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 17(1), pp.1-5.

This study suggests there could be risks from inhaling shed-fibres. A reminder that long-term consequences are often ignored in health issues.

Han, J. and He, S. (2020) 'Need for assessing the inhalation of micro(nano)plastic debris shed from masks, respirators, and home-made face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic.' Environmental Pollution, 268(115728), pp.1-4

This study confirms that there are hazards from everday mask use including reduced oxygen intake and mask-induced exhaustion syndrome.

Kisielinski, K., Giboni, P., Prescher, A., Klosterhalfen, B., Graessel, D., Funken, S., Kempski, O. and Hirsch, O. (2021) 'Is a Mask That Covers the Mouth and Nose Free from Undesirable Side Effects in Everyday Use and Free of Potential Hazards?', International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(8), pp.1-42.

This study confirms that mask wearing can induce psychological and physiological distress:

Chandrasekaran, B. and Fernandes, S. 2020. '"Exercise with facemask; Are we handling a devil's sword?”–A physiological hypothesis', Medical hypotheses, 144(110002), pp.1-4.

This study shows that wearing a surgical-style mask modifies significantly and clinically dyspnea (shortness of breath) in as little as 6 minutes:

Person, E., Lemercier, C., Royer, A. and Reychler, G. (2018) 'Effect of a surgical mask on six minute walking distance', Revue des maladies respiratoires, 35(3), pp.264-268.

There are potential risks with the wearing of cloth masks in terms of viral transmission when compared with surgical masks:

MacIntyre, C.R., Seale, H., Dung, T.C., Hien, N.T., Nga, P.T., Chughtai, A.A., Rahman, B., Dwyer, D.E. and Wang, Q. (2015) 'A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers', BMJ open, 5(4), pp.1-10.

This large study found no statistically significant evidence that wearing facemasks reduces viral transmission:

Bundgaard, H., Bundgaard, J.S., Raaschou-Pedersen, D.E.T., von Buchwald, C., Todsen, T., Norsk, J.B., Pries-Heje, M.M., Vissing, C.R., Nielsen, P.B., Winsløw, U.C. and Fogh, K. (2021) ‘Effectiveness of adding a mask recommendation to other public health measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in Danish mask wearers: a randomized controlled trial.’ Annals of Internal Medicine, 174(3), pp.335-343.

Also important to remember that facemasks are NOT PPE - they are NOT worn to protect the wearer, only to try and help reduce transmission from the wearer.

hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/ppe-...

Plus there are toxic contaminants in some disposable masks including lead, cadmium and other toxins which can lead to environmental pollution. These are similar chemicals to those in air pollution that can cause respiratory illness:

Sullivan, G.L., Delgado-Gallardo, J., Watson, T.M. and Sarp, S., 2021. An investigation into the leaching of micro and nano particles and chemical pollutants from disposable face masks-linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Water Research, 196, p.117033.

Obviously each to their own but it does help to have more peer-reviewed evidence to consider when thinking about this.

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6 Replies

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Poobah2 years ago

How about the benefits? You say want to help asthmatics make informed decisions about face coverings but fail to provide the arguments for face coverings, suggesting you've dismissed other evidence but not explained why.

Having read the first research cited, it also states that, "We did not examine the extent of discomfort in healthy control subjects, thus, disease-related differences cannot be asserted. We, therefore, cannot assess the additional asthma-specific contribution to breathing difficulties associated with the facemask." The research was limited and conclusions therefore caveated but you fail to mention that.

My observation is that it's easy to cherry pick selected sentences from published research in order to support an argument. Much better to just provide a link and let people draw their own conclusions.

This asthma community has shared their concerns and experiences on this forum throughout the pandemic and sought assurance from the excellent advice provided by Asthma UK. We have felt the vulnerability that comes with asthma more keenly in the last couple of years as the pandemic challenged our support services and our ability to appreciate what covid-19 may mean for us and our loved ones. In light of this, would you care to share with us your asthma story and how you have taken steps to protect yourself during this ongoing pandemic? After all, if the face covering option is dismissed, what are your recommendations?

skippy112 years ago

As asthmatics we are advised to cover our mouths from cold air with a scarf (ie mask) so I don’t get the argument against wearing masks (asthma uk have done a scarfie winter campaign for this). So wearing a mask is the same as putting a scarf over your face which we have been doing for years but because it is now demanded of us, there’s refusal. I wear a mask continuously for work, chronic asthmatic, and it doesn’t affect my breathing or everyday life, nor does wearing a scarf when outdoors

Birthday602 years ago

Goodness me! Since I was a small child it has been general practice to advise wearing a scarf or snood during colder weather to help asthmatics - wonder where that advice sits now. I know a number of surgeons who are asthmatic and they wear medical masks most of their working lives.

Leigh23052 years ago

This isn’t an informative post but one asserting your own agenda against wearing masks or face coverings.

Someone may read your post and confirm some concerns they may already have. Then tell others of all these studies against wearing masks. It’s actually really annoying that you felt a health site where people are concerned for their health was an appropriate place to put this.

Unfortunately the majority of people who are against wearing masks or getting vaccines are the Healthy who don’t actually care about those of us with vulnerabilities but that there is an impingement on their supposed rights.

There is a massive amount of misinformation and people who quite frankly don’t understand the basics of science, virology or imunnology spouting absolute nonsense as facts and others saying ah yeah they’re right because the speaker sounds like they know what they’re talking about.

For most asthmatics the pandemic had been an anxiety inducing time. The long term effects of wearing a mask concern me a lot less than the reality of covid. The more it spreads the more likely we are to get it I am thankful that there are developments in the treatment of covid now. That the vaccine must be having a positive impact as the rate of death has dropped significantly.

The omicron virus may actually be less serious version that spreads better. But this version could be the one that’s worse for asthmatics……..like the flu is. So honestly people being made to wear masks. Not that worrying really.

My mam was hospitalised last year with covid. She was lucky not to need ventilation but she was on oxygen for over a week. They think that you can be reinfected with omicron so again people wearing masks isn’t that bad. I already know my mam is susceptible to covid pneumonia so she could catch it again. Especially when she’s works in the care sector. But yeah sure wearing masks is worse than covid

Leigh23052 years ago

You’ve also just joined to post this

2 years ago

I’m quite affronted by your post. You seem to be taking us for fools! Please provide links to your supposed evidence, rather than selective extracts supporting your own argument.

Asthmatics are more vulnerable to the complications of a covid infection. Wearing a mask helps protect the vulnerable and is the right, socially responsible thing to do. It’s not much to ask. Why any decent person should object is beyond me.

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