Please can anyone recommend a cold weather face mask?

[SallySeeds]

Hello lovely people, this is my first post since joining - my name is Sally and my husband has recently been diagnosed with COPD. He's at the very early stages and just trying to sort his medication out has dominated this year. Last Christmas, new year and the first 3 months of 2017 was wiped out due to episodes of Bronchitis etc so he is trying a preventative approach this year. Since the cold weather will soon be upon us I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a face mask please for him to wear when going outside? Thank you

[mrsmummy]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Your husband needs to avoid breathing in air that is below 6 degrees (can't remember where I read that) but if he has to go out in the cold he may find a buff helps. It is a sort of circular scarf that you pull on over your head and can wear doubled around your neck or else pulled up around your face, covering right up to under your eyes. It helps to warm the air before it hits the lungs. Try Google and healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

[SallySeeds in reply to mrsmummy]

Thanks so much for your advice

[Hidden]

Hello SallySeeds and welcome. I have bronchiectasis not COPD but I am pretty sure that my COPD friends on here will agree with what I say.

The major concern during the winter season is to avoid other people's germs. Virus infections are very distressing to those with lung conditions and can swiftly develop into secondary bacterial infections which are very debilitating and require antibiotic and steroid treatment.

A lot of us find that First Defense, which is a nasal spray, helps to avoid catching these bugs in public places and is also pretty good at stopping a cold in its tracks.

If this is too strong and makes the nose sore I have found that nasal guard cold and flu blocker put around the nose and upper lip is very effective at preventing infection. Also tea tree oil used in the same way is very good.

I am sure that some of my COPD friends will be along to tell you how they avoid the nasty cold air.

[SallySeeds in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for replying

[Hidden]

Hi Sally. I've got a couple of these buffwear.co.uk/ I have the "Original" ones made of microfibre & find them just right as they're warm but light & no fibres to breathe in

[SallySeeds in reply to Hidden]

Thank you For your help

[Gracy123 in reply to Hidden]

Where can we buy them please

[peege in reply to Hidden]

Me too, invaluable. Can pull up overy mouth and nose, the fabric wicks away moisture.

Mine are fine pure wool bought via Amazon. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Another thing to try Sally is extra Vit D3 from now to May and Vit C at first sign of a snuffle. Important to keep the immune system tip top. P

[sassy59]

Some great advice Sally and hope it helps. Pete uses tea tree and l must buy him a buffwear to use as a mask. Thanks to Hanne62 for the reminder. Xxxxxx

[Dianemc01234]

Thanks for asking this. I also need to avoid infection in winter. More than ever now. Some really helpful replies. I'll definitely be getting one of those buff wear things. Can't risk pseudomonas again. still trying to get over it. Since August. I really can't get this again. I'm stocking up on first defence today. I also suggest carrying hand gel on buses or other public places. Or wear gloves.

[Hidden in reply to Dianemc01234]

Apologies to Sally for going off-topic, but just wanted to mention to you that if pseudomonas does become persistent, it can often be controlled with nebulised colomycin. If you've not heard of this, send me a pm for more info

[Dianemc01234 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Thanks Hanne. I've actually had nebulised colomycin to treat it before. And it did work. However that time it was detected in a sample. This time was a massive infection. Can't quite explain how bad it was rather than to say I've also had TB 13 years ago and it was on a par. I had 4 wks of iv ceftazidime. My line blocked at weekend and a&e wouldn't give alteplase! Doctor pretty angry. They sent me home with a canula and a couple of lines. Didn't last half a dose. By then my ceftazidime treatment was compromised. Tho it was working. Changed to oral ciprofloxacin. Lasted 9 days. Was making me so ill. I go back to hospital today. Having x ray and blood when get there. Also sputum sample. They will then decided whether to restart ceftazidime or go for nebulised colomycin. I am a lot better and there's not much there now. But it still is if u know what I mean.

[angie26 in reply to Dianemc01234]

Hi Diane, like you I have Pseudomonas, I tried the neb colomycin and it made me very wheezy and sob, my doctor said to come off it and he would contact the hospital, that was 3 weeks ago, still nothing. I have since come down with what the doctor thought was pneumonia, I also have an A typical bacteria, mild COPD and bronchiectasis. I too had TB in 2014 and it's been one thing after another since then.

[Dianemc01234 in reply to angie26]

Omg. You could be my twin. I had TB in 2004 so it's a while longer. But yes, it's one thing after another and it's so hard. I have to admit the nebulised colomycin worked for me. I didn't like it and stopped after a couple of months as I was really wheezy and convinced it wasn't working. It must have. No sign of pseudomonas for five years till this August. Not sure if yours was being treated as it was detected early or if it developed into a massive exacerbation. My first time was detected so thought nothing of it. Please hassle them about your treatment. This severe infection is not something you ever want to experience. I was more ill than when I had TB. Or at least it felt like it as it was so sudden and so massive. It's a very scary bug and of course, it mutates so it builds up resistance quickly. You cNt just stop and start drugs. Good luck with your treatment. I hope it's zapped soon. I think mine is for now. Tho I'm still very weak. Yesterday's blood tests come back today but the x ray was much better. So think it's gone for now. Definitely get on to your gp and make them chase the hospital tho. Your secondary infections are bound to be worrying you.

[angie26 in reply to Dianemc01234]

Oh dear Diane you have been through the mill too, it's not good!! prior to the TB I had breast cancer which thankfully I got through, no chemo!! when I first had the x ray my doctor said it looked as though I had secondary cancer in my lung and my bones !!!!! so I was taken to theatre and they whipped a wedge out of my lung only to find it was TB which could have been detected with a sputum test! Just rang my doctor to ask him to call me! will update take care X

[Dianemc01234 in reply to angie26]

Oh no. That's just awful. Sorry for the late reply btw. That's the problem with severe lung conditions. They're guessing half the time. Plus there is just no way to accurately describe what we go through. I hope you're feeling better now. Im still a bit weak. I doubt I'll ever get back to where I was in August but I can only try. I lost such a lot of weight and my muscle tone is non existent from being stuck in bed so long. Blood test was all right tho so that's a plus. You take care. Winter is coming as they say.

[Oldbadger in reply to Hidden]

I have pseudamonus which has colonised in both my lungs and my specialist prescribed Azithromycin to be taken Mon, Wed,and Friday's only for ever. I have been well since May this year but before this I was in hospital every few weeks with pneumonia and pseudamonus and very poorly. I have emphysema very severe and fibrosis in my left lung caused secondary to breast cancer and over irradiation 30 years ago.

[Dianemc01234]

Sally. Sorry to hijavk your thread. Actually came back to ask does anyone know which type of buff wear is best? Went online to buy but there are a few options.

[Hidden]

Hi I use a loose scarf (a holey one is best) and wrap it round my mouth and nose. It is the cold air hitting the lungs which make you cough.

As your husband is early stages just using first defence and common sense things such as washing his hands frequently and not touching his nose, mouth or eyes until he has is sufficient, especially when he is in the company of those with colds etc.

[skischool]

Hi i was going to suggest a neoprene ski mask,i have worn them in temps down to -20 and in howling winds and they have kept me toasty warm .i think you might have guessed that given my name.trouble is they may be a bit restrictive for your hubby and they do look a bit sinister.Probably something loose and fleecy as others suggest..............regards skis x

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Hi Skis,

I have ready many of your helpful comments and hope you don't mind me asking for your advise.

I am, and intend to keep, going for a walk most days, this is my priority, but I realise from last winter breathing in cold air is a non starter and a cheap fleece snood was no good.

Please will you look at this amazon.co.uk/Grace-Folly-Ba... and give your opinion if it's worth trying? I need to keep my hands free for training my dog so I'm looking for something that will stay in place, any suggestion you have will be very welcome.

Regards,

Ada

[Bwebb]

I have one from years ago. Found it online at a sporting goods outlet. You may want to search hunting stores. Good luck.

[SallySeeds in reply to Bwebb]

Thanks I'll do that

[SallySeeds]

Thank you, hubby has been ordering on line today so thanks everyone for your suggestions - they are all much appreciated. Good luck to you 😀