Mask Wearing

By jesus1968bc

1 min read

I have had asthma for many years. Since wearing my mask, I noticed my asthma has worsened. They make it harder to breathe. The ones with the filters have helped me outside and putting the mask just to my top lip sometimes. But after wearing it a while, I notice my asthma acts up.

I was wondering if anyone else feels theirs has worsened since having to wear masks.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Hi JESUS1968BC, and thanks for your post. You are definitely not alone, as others in the community have expressed similar concerns when it comes to wearing a mask. You may elicit more of a reply from the community if you were to post this question in our Q & A section, which you can access here: <a href='https://asthma.net/q-and-a' target='_blank'>https://asthma.net/q-and-a/</a>. You can also post it on our asthma Facebook page - the link for that is at the bottom of this page. On Facebook, we have many members who are discussing all aspects of asthma throughout the day and night. I'm pretty certain you will start an entire conversation about this very real concern of yours. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
Ashlen Wilder Moderator
You are definitely not alone, JESUS1968BC! It seems many community members are reporting that wearing a mask can contribute to worsening asthma symptoms. Are you able to go out in public less, or do you work in-person currently and need to wear a mask? My partner, who has asthma, gets flustered when wearing a mask in the heat. When we go out in public and go grocery shopping, we try to be very efficient so there is less time spent wearing a mask. -Ashlen, <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>Asthma.net</a> community moderator
safetysteph Member
It's the humidity that has caused by having the mask on and rebreathing your own air. There are two problmes here, one, wearing your mask in a way that doesn't cover your whole face is like putting the tea in a cup with big holes in it. You might as well not wear the mask. As asthmatics, we are at a greater risk of catching COVID so mask-wearing is a good idea to help protect a lengthy and possibly disastrous stay in the hospital. I haven't tried the masks with the filters but after reading your post I might because as the humidity outside is getting worse where I live wearing a mask is making it harder to breathe. The second thing I wanted to make a note of is that we should all be washing our masks daily. I've bought enough masks at (2 for $4) Target to get me through a week of single-day use. rebreathing the organisms in your mouth is a recipe for a lung infection. If we are using steroid inhalers you may also be rebreathing fungi like candida too. I hope you feel better soon, I'm feeling your frustration right along side of you.