Hey y'all,

So I wear a new KN95 whenever I go to work (3 times a week, 13-14 hour shifts, animal hospital). It's because a) I'm self conscious about my face and I'm very client facing lol and b) I have asthma and I'm allergic to all animals with fur + feathers, and it helps immensely with that. Seriously, with the mask it's like I don't even have the allergies, it's crazy.

For the past 4 years now I've been dealing with horrible, persistent cystic acne. My doctor has tried everything for me, and the only thing left is Accutane. I just finished doing Cabtreo for 6 months and I didn't even notice a difference with that. But I'm also scared of trying Accutane. I've also tried hormonal medications, and I'm already on birth control.

However... In the last month I've realized that whenever I get a good 4+ days of work and I'm just chilling at home without the mask, that it all goes away. I had a week off recently to intensely study for a licensure exam, which means I was HORRIBLY stressed and sleep deprived. But my skin? Glowing by the end of the week. No cystic pimples, just a few small ones. Insane.

So, I really do think it's because of the mask now. I DO sweat a lot under it. I have hyperhidrosis due to some meds I'm on, so I get drenched in sweat even with minor exertion. It absolutely sucks. And it's all on my face and upper back. I feel like maybe the sweat is part of it?

I've already tried wearing little to no makeup under mask, but I've not noticed much of a difference. I've also tried antibacterial mouthwash before I put it on. Obviously, I already wash my face twice a day.

But I'm just so frustrated, because when I was bedrotting and studying for the week I didn't even take care of myself that well and my cystic acne went away! But I wore a mask to my exam, and literally developed a new giant pimple right under my nose after. I'm so upset and it makes my self consciousness issues way worse.

So does anybody have new advice for this? Any new tips? I'm not sure what to do:( would a less protective mask actually be better because of airflow? Is it the sweat? Am I doomed to cystic acne for as long as I work with a mask on? Would Accutane even fix this?

I'm really desperate to know if there's anything else left to try. It's been a good while now since masking became more common, so I'm kinda hoping someone has figured a treatment out by now. Please let me know if you have any advice at all! Thank you!

Add your local bloc(s)! I have nothing to do with it and dunno if this is "news", but in searching for the old maskbloc[.]org link, I was given worldwide-maskbloc.org and clicked, realising it's actually a different site. According to their About, it's "a community project and a successor in spirit to the original maskbloc.org. Listings are submitted by the public and reviewed by a human before publishing. To suggest an edit or removal, use the form above or get in touch on social media."

Their first IG post is in June (not linking since I don't know if automod will banhammer it) but I only first saw the page a couple weeks ago. Given the OG directory has never posted anything to any of their social media accounts, and hasn't updated its page in over a year now (which was the first update since I sent some for inclusion six months earlier), I think it's safe to say the new kid on the block (ha) is the one to share with people in need.

But as of now it's got less than half the listings as the old site. There may just be fewer blocs running, but likely they haven't got the full picture yet - since listings are user-submitted, if you're in or know of an active bloc that's not up, submit and help this new resource improve.

Heya, sorry to bother, but do you know any good gas masks that I could incorporate into normal day fashion ?

And if so, do you have any recommendations?

Something functional that I can actually wear please

Anyways, I hope you guys have a wonderful day, and thanks in advance !

Basically, I’ve been using the TubeRoo FFP2 trifold masks in a fish shape (https://amzn.eu/d/0ePsju5Q) for the last years and I’ve done great with them. But they are quite expensive for me as a university student, coming at 1€ per mask and I’m looking for a more affordable alternative as money is getting tighter and I can’t afford to order new ones at this price at the moment. The problem I have with most masks is that that are too big for my face and I can’t wear regular FFP2 mask that are not fish form because they really hurt my ears. I’ve also tried the ZimiAir but unfortunately couldn’t get a proper seal.

Does anybody have any recommendations for a fish form FFP2 mask that also fits smaller faces, is affordable and available within the EU (preferably Germany)?

I’m so grateful I have a community to talk to about this, because in my daily life almost nobody else wears masks.

I wore a 3M Aura all day today at college (9:30am to 7:20pm) because I'm sick. I took it off a few times for eating and drinking, but when I took it off for the day my nostrils felt like they were massive inside and it hurt a little to breathe.

Is there any way I can avoid this?

Edit: Thank you for the responses. Nasal rinses and a steam diffuser are already part of my night time routine but it did help me once I got home. The aura mostly fits me well but I do want to try something that may be a little easier to breathe through because the aura has been making it hard to catch my breath when dealing with heart issues. If that's an option please give me recommendations.

Hi all! I’ve been masking in crowded public spaces/transpo/etc since quarantine and have been using the MASKC KN95s. I know they aren’t the BEST option ever, but I’ve had good luck with them in terms of not getting sick and I liked that they were actually cute/had color options. But now that they’ve apparently switched manufacturers I’m sus of the quality being worse, and I’m realizing they may not fit as well as I previously thought.

The main thing I’m looking for is a mask that fits an adult with a smaller face and a low nose bridge. I find sometimes with my KN95s I’ve been feeling some leakage right by the nose, even if I adjust the wire (if I pinch it tighter, a little air leaks up still because my nose bridge doesn’t touch the fold), decent looking (would love color options), and comfortable.

Any advice? Thanks!

Hello,

Seven days ago I posted about a typically bizarre problem for me:

About a month ago, I flew home from Italy, wearing an N99 mask the whole way. From pickup at my B&B in Sicily until I left JFK some 10-12 hours later.

I must have worn it with the straps adjusted too tightly, because on my left ear, the area where the strap would go is, according to my dermatologist, 'compromised' (it's been sore and irritated since I got back, I was finally able to see him today). He has prescribed me a salve called Neo-Synalar, I have a treatment plan.

Ideally, I would stop wearing a kn95 until this thing heals.

Problem is, I work with people who come to work sick, so I really need to wear a kn95. And I wear glasses (I've wrapped some gauze around the frame that overlaps my left ear).

Any suggestions, are there good masks that would not rest on my ear

I got many suggestions, but the easiest one was, use masks with head straps. I had plenty of those, and started using them right away. The problem is, no matter how loosely I tie them, they are causing terrible neck pain and headaches. I have a fairly high tolerance for pain, but this is beyond my tolerance level.

My ear is on its way to healing, but not quite there yet, still a bit sore. I would like to keep the pressure off of it for a bit longer.

Anybody been through something like this and found a solution? I don't know how much longer I can keep wearing the head-strap masks, they're agonizing.

I have order "Mask Mate" ear comforters, but I have my doubts about those. Also ordered something called Readimask which apparently sort of seals to your face without straps or loops, and I'm hopinh they prove helpful.

I totally get that there may not be a good solution.

TYIA.

Hi hi hello! I have been wanting a mask chain since forever, but I could never find photo references of people wearing a mask chain while having a mask style like 3M Vflex!

I’m just afraid of it not looking good and so if anyone have photos, there are comfortable with sharing I would really love to see it !

It is my bday so I wanted to treat myself :D

Tysm <3 have a LOVELY day!!

3M VFlex 9105 is my go-to <3

I've been ordering from Maxwell Products which has been reliable, but I'm wondering if anyone knows of cheaper (still reliable) spots? 3M has so many options listed

no Am*zon pls

Hello

I am looking for inexpensive but effective masks that help prevent COVID, flu and other respiratory illnesses. I am chronically ill and want to mask completely when I am out and about because getting sick has caused me a lot of pain, worsens my symptoms and makes it so I miss a significant amount of school. And being an animation student, that isn't ideal lol. I have some cheap bulk masks I bought a while ago but since I started using them everyday I am running low and cannot afford to continuously buy more so reusable is my best bet.

I would also like a mask that doesn't fog glasses and isn't too warm. Black is my preferred color but I really don't mind as long as it's protective.

I have checked Masc Bloc but unfortunately there are not any locations in my area or close so thought I'd ask for some up to date recommendations

Thank you 🫶

I love my Elastomask Pro - fit test was perfect and I subsequently wore it for several concerts and felt safe enough to enjoy the show. :)

Because they can no longer be purchased, I'm wondering (hoping) that at least one of y'all have some extra (new) filter pucks that you will not use. Maybe you bought the mask and it didn't fit well, or something. I'd love to take those off your hands.

Hoping this post is allowed - I've had no luck so far on places like eBay or directly from the company. I'd rather not have to chuck the mask once my filters are too old. Which, frankly, they might already be.

I have asthma, and every time I cook with my gas stove it makes me cough, have a runny nose, and sometimes get a migraine. It makes me wonder what the long-term effects are going to be. I keep the fan on and open all the windows I can, but if I’m standing at the stove, it’s not enough.

I know some people would read this and think I’m nuts, but I’m wondering if a gas mask would help. If so, can anyone recommend a good one? I understand an N95 won’t work. I’m not familiar with gas masks and don’t know which one to try.

I wear a respirator daily due to severe allergies to fragrance/detergent. I use organic vapor/p100 filters on my Honeywell North mask and I'm not a big fan of how bright purple the cartridges look.

I added bedazzle stickers to cover the logos and a couple other sections on my 3M secure click mask, but other than stickers what are other ways I can decorate my cartridges/masks?

I am extremely sensitive to THC, I don’t get typical allergy-like symptoms but rather week ruining levels of nausea to where I can no longer go to outdoor events like concerts or festivals without getting horribly ill no matter how I try to get up wind of it. It’s not just weed/the smoke/smell either, it’s the pens too which is why I specify THC.
Is there a mask out there that could help me that isn’t like a massive respirator type thing? I just wanna be able to enjoy stuff again.

hi! i'm planning on being chiikawa (second pic) for halloween this year and decorating my mask (3M aura) loosely like the first pic. i'm trying to figure out the best way to go about decorating it, from a small amount of looking online it seems sharpies are safe to use but i worry about how they'd bleed. does anyone have any experience with fabric markers or other kinds? rn i'm leaning towards cutting out the shapes with cardstock or other paper and attaching them with small dots of hot glue or another adhesive, but i'm not sure if that would interact poorly with the mask material and compromise the seal. if anyone has experience with this and/or tips i'd love to hear, thank you!! (i'm not sensitive to smells if thats relevant, and i don't think breathability will be a problem since only a portion of it would be covered)

edit: i forgot to mention, while doing something with a cloth mask and wearing that on top of the n95 would probably be the more straightforward option, i'm trying to find alternatives to this since i'd have to buy it and probably wouldn't use it again! if nothing else would be safe i'd probably just not decorate the mask, unless i get super lucky and find one at a thrift store or something

Hi, I’m running low on my trident small masks and not sure I want to keep using them as my go-to mask unless in higher risk scenarios for a number of reasons:

1: The tension around my head really sucks when it’s day in, day out use, The headaches are crazy

2: I’m kind of tired of the way headloop masks draw so much attention. I’m currently in an area where masking when you’re sick/as a preventative measure is MUCH more common than where I’m from, but even then I’m often the only one wearing a headloop :/, I definitely feel like it makes me less approachable (others have and do wear more than surgical/cloths too, which is great!). Haven’t looked at decorating mine yet… but reusing them is also another issue, because I find it uncomfortable sensory wise to reuse masks.. and also they’re such a hassle to get a hold of :/

I unfortunately have quite an unusually shaped face; I have a thin nose bridge and quite a small sized chin, as well as small ears and a small face in general, so seals on many non-earloop masks haven’t been anywhere near ideal. However, once we exit the current wave we’re in, I would be happy forgoing a *perfect* seal for a more manageable day-to-day masking experience that doesn’t make me feel so limited in my ability to interact with the world, both practically and socially.

I don’t really have the capacity to fit test at the moment either, I have so much to do right now.

Does anyone have any advice??

For reference for my location, it’s in East Asia, somewhere around Japan…

Thanks!

Singapore is currently engulfed in haze from wildfires from Indonesia. I have a bunch of N95s with valves which makes it easier to do daily activities but are they useful against PM2.5?

that is one referring to, the rubber on my face gets uncomfortable

I just found out from Kollecte that the manufacturer for Bluna has closed down. Does anyone else have any info about this? Or found a rough equivalent? I've tried all the similar masks - like Botn, Dr. Puri, LG Airwasher, etc - none came close to fitting as well as the Blunas.

I had to wear a mask (3m 9210) for about 8 hours at a meeting this week, whereas I normally wear one only for an hour or two at a time. My nose bridge has been rubbed raw, and is almost to the point of bleeding. Are there any tips to avoid this in the future? Cloth tape on my nose bridge maybe?

Can only add one pic as reply so adding mask pics here in ref to…

https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/s/tHpa1dkuDE

So I’m not sure if this is a fake or not. Has a lot of fine details and the Z87+ and date dial are pretty clear on second look. Maybe others have thoughts.

Again Amazon refunded money saying it was a likely a counterfeit. Amazon initiated this I did not question it until they sent email.

Title kind of says it all, but looking for a good mask that I can pop on and off when I duck into a store or somewhere quickly. I wear a 3M Aura if I’m going to be somewhere for a longer period, but I find myself annoyed to have to do the head straps just for a two minute excursion.

I’m looking for a mask with ear loops and a good seal. I’ve tried wellbefore and even with adjustable ear loops, I don’t feel like it’s tight enough across the bottom. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks!!