Confirmed allergic reaction to surgical mask

Updated:   Published

Saw my pcp. I have been wheezy/chest pressure/ nasal drainage/throat difficulties

My pcp says I am reacting to fibers in mask. Most people I talk to looked at me as though I had a third head or questioned me that I wear my mask in public. I honestly do. Even with all the problems.

Does anyone else have the same problem? I am going to pay more attention to which medical mask they give me. It used to be only n 95. Now offered yellow or blue mask. Will pay attention. I haven’t had a covid patient since April and wasn’t tolerating N 95 mask as was many staff. But I think mostly bc claustrophobia.

Will be reducing hours at work. I know that will help.

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Will they let you put the surgical mask over a cloth one?

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Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
1 hour ago, Wuzzie said:

Will they let you put the surgical mask over a cloth one?

That’s what some of my coworkers are doing. We have had reactions from migraines to mild allergic reactions from the regular surgical masks.

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Love this site bc I judgemental and give awesome suggestions

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Askter - Have you tried cleang your n-95 masks throughly. CDC recomends the exterior side of the mask be wiped down with C3H8O or isopropal alcohol. The interior of the mask can be spayed with H2O2 and aallowed to dair dry. The best way to clean a mask per the CDC is to used vaporized H2O2. I do this by placing the H2O2 in a nebulizer.

I saw some stories about people gettin staph infections from wearing dirty masks.

Hppy

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 8/14/2020 at 10:02 PM, hppygr8ful said:

Askter - Have you tried cleang your n-95 masks throughly. CDC recomends the exterior side of the mask be wiped down with C3H8O or isopropal alcohol. The interior of the mask can be spayed with H2O2 and aallowed to dair dry. The best way to clean a mask per the CDC is to used vaporized H2O2. I do this by placing the H2O2 in a nebulizer.

I saw some stories about people gettin staph infections from wearing dirty masks.

Hppy

What safety precautions do you take with vaporized H2O2? Do you do it in an enclosed room? How?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 8/15/2020 at 1:15 PM, Kitiger said:

What safety precautions do you take with vaporized H2O2? Do you do it in an enclosed room? How?

I use a brown paper lunch bag. Put the mask in the bag and attached the nozzel of the nebulized to the bag with a rubber band. It keeps the H2O2 where you want it and it quickly evaporates once the bag is opened.

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 8/15/2020 at 1:18 PM, hppygr8ful said:

I use a brown paper lunch bag. Put the mask in the bag and attached the nozzel of the nebulized to the bag with a rubber band. It keeps the H2O2 where you want it and it quickly evaporates once the bag is opened.

I like it!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 8/15/2020 at 1:19 PM, Kitiger said:

I like it!

Oh and I purchased a small handled nebulizer for just under 50 dollars.

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 8/15/2020 at 1:18 PM, hppygr8ful said:

I use a brown paper lunch bag. Put the mask in the bag and attached the nozzel of the nebulized to the bag with a rubber band. It keeps the H2O2 where you want it and it quickly evaporates once the bag is opened.

Are you using a lunch bag? How long do you let it run? Do you hang the mask up to air it out afterwards?

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

I know someone who has the nebulizer, and who is a high risk herself when going out in public. This is something she could use.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
1 hour ago, Kitiger said:

Are you using a lunch bag? How long do you let it run? Do you hang the mask up to air it out afterwards?

So the way I do it is a follows

For N-95, KN-95 and surgical masks. Place in paper lunch bag seal around nozzel and let run for 15 minutes then hang the masks to dry in a well ventilated area.

For cloth masks I wash then in cool wash then after air drying I do the nebulizer treatment as above.

I stopped getting breakouts around my nose and mouth after I started doing this.

Hppy

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