Surviving Multiple Chemical Sensitivity!
Do carbon/charcoal filter masks help your MCS?
Discussion started by Maff 12 years ago
For the unfortunate people out there who have recently developed MCS and are struggling to cope with the onslaught of chemicals and feel overwhelemed, I just wanted to report that when my MCS was at its worst I found carbon filter masks to be a real lifeline.
Despite being acutely sensitive to everything from household cleaning products, personal care products, gas stoves, vehicle exhaust, newspapers/magazines and practically anything recently manufactured...when wearing a carbon filter mask I could be around people wearing their deodourants and perfumes, I could walk outside among the vehicle exhaust and fumes from neighbours' dryers and central heating boilers, and I could even visit public places. You get a lot of stares sat in a cinema wearing a face mask...but at least you can enjoy a movie!
The mask I used was from www.icanbreathe.com (no financial interest) and I found the fit to be perfect. The only downside was it got very sweaty in there.
How have other MCS survivors out there found carbon face masks? Have they been as much help for you as I found them to be? Which brand did you use?
It would be good to get some more experiences out there for the newbies or those who are still struggling for any kind of relief...
You need to be a member of this group before you can participate in this discussion.
Sandy
I used charcoal mask from the hardware store a few different kinds and then graduated to a half mask respirator p100 mixed filter. That seemed to work but I could not find new filters and can't buy the upgrade to the gas protector filters where I bought the mask they don't have any in stock tried to buy the upgraded gas filters online but they won't sell them.. guess they are only for firemen and terrorists... bet they can find them.
This one failed me when needing to take a cab filled with febreze... the driver showed me the can he opened all the windows and I put my head out but it was too late I am still trying to recover.
I have bought two 3m respirators filters easy to get... P100 NIOSH filter... bit leary now of how well it will actually work....
What can stop febreze? Anything?
This one failed me when needing to take a cab filled with febreze... the driver showed me the can he opened all the windows and I put my head out but it was too late I am still trying to recover.
I have bought two 3m respirators filters easy to get... P100 NIOSH filter... bit leary now of how well it will actually work....
What can stop febreze? Anything?
7 years ago
paimapi
Thanks for starting this thread (5 years ago!) I have used the I can Breathe mask for several years, but I'm actually sensitive to the charcoal filter itself. So, in order to use it I need to "close" my nose from the inside - some muscle in my head, not sure how to describe it. That allows me to use the mask, which is actually a great back up to my nose muscle. However, I can't hold that muscle for too long (I'm good for about an hour and a half these days). So it helps, but not totally and not for long. I can't sleep in it for example, because I'll react to the mask itself.
Another thing I've tried is swimmer's nose plugs. These completely block the smell and allow me to keep that nose muscle relaxed, but they tend to give me a headache and ear aches from the pressure each time I swallow. Plus, they kinda hurt.
I'm looking for a better mask with a different filter but so far nothing is out there.
Another thing I've tried is swimmer's nose plugs. These completely block the smell and allow me to keep that nose muscle relaxed, but they tend to give me a headache and ear aches from the pressure each time I swallow. Plus, they kinda hurt.
I'm looking for a better mask with a different filter but so far nothing is out there.
7 years ago
CazNZ
For me nose filters are definitely not suitable. They may stop the seering pain through the nose but for me the mouth has to be covered as well.
11 years ago
CazNZ
:> well the nose filters do help. But when I am face-on-face with the local librarian who wears lots of perfume, I have a difficulty, in that you have to open your mouth to talk and then "suck" in a breath. No pain in the nose but . . . Hmm. Think the nose filters are only suitable for going for walks where there is a lot of traffic and passing "fuming" people in the street, i.e. when there is no need to interact. People don't even notice them in your nose also and you get use to them being there. If I could eat out, which I can't because of food intolerances, they would be better than a mask also.
I'm going to order the icanbreathe mask, thanks mcscanary. I'm so so looking forward to getting back to play bridge especially.
I'm going to order the icanbreathe mask, thanks mcscanary. I'm so so looking forward to getting back to play bridge especially.
11 years ago
CazNZ
Thanks mcscanary, they do look a lot better than some of the other products. Ive only been fume sensitive since November and it only became a very painful experience over the last month or so. Prior to that I was just having to avoid the sprays and the chemicals in my food. Thankyou for giving me another "choice".
11 years ago
mcscanary
I see that this thread is a year old, but just wanted to add my input on these products.
The icanbreathemask have been a God send for me, without them I would not be able to endure grocery stores, target stores (super yuck as target is so toxic) and the most important is that I am allowed to wear these at my work place and am on the phone all day with my mask on and it does not impair the quality of my voice at all. Love the product. I have the one that is beige lace with the beautiful rose on the side of it, I get compliments on it every time I go out and people want to know about why I wear it and where they can get one too. I carry brochures and business cards with me that I hand out. I am in no way affiliated with that business just love the product so much that I want to share with others the benefits that I have gained from using it daily : )
The icanbreathemask have been a God send for me, without them I would not be able to endure grocery stores, target stores (super yuck as target is so toxic) and the most important is that I am allowed to wear these at my work place and am on the phone all day with my mask on and it does not impair the quality of my voice at all. Love the product. I have the one that is beige lace with the beautiful rose on the side of it, I get compliments on it every time I go out and people want to know about why I wear it and where they can get one too. I carry brochures and business cards with me that I hand out. I am in no way affiliated with that business just love the product so much that I want to share with others the benefits that I have gained from using it daily : )
11 years ago
CazNZ
I have nose filters coming from Aussie (www.nasalfilters.net). Not overly expensive. Will let you know if they make life "outside" more tolerable. If they don't work will look into icanbreathe - thanks.
11 years ago
Maff
Caz, I was always helped greatly by carbon filter masks from www.icanbreathe.com but as chiliv369 has shown, they don't work for everyone. Nose filters are not something I have come across so hopefully chiliv369 can let us know where you can get them...
11 years ago
CazNZ
Hi. I'm new to the group. Isolated in New Zealand too. No doctor, no support groups, no MCS recognisation. I'm looking for help. Nose filters? Sounds less "bug"-like than a full mask. Although my lungs do get affected by smell marginally . . . just going into a shop and passing people wearing perfume has a devastating affect on nose, sinuses, and head. Where do you get them from?
11 years ago
Maff
Hi chiliv369, have you tried the 6000 series half and full face respirators from 3M. I never used them myself but a lot of MCSers who don't do well with the more lightweight masks have a lot of good things to say about them.
12 years ago
chiliv369
I have had absolutely no luck with masks. I have tried the I can breathe masks, EI Foust carbon masks, 3M masks, hospital type of masks and the only thing that I can tolerate for a short time are the nose filters which are inserted directly in the nose. I get tox'd from them too after a while because they're made out of plastic.
12 years ago
