phtomita

My first week wearing mask on my commute.
- At the first day I was stopping very frequently to blow my nose - remove mask and blow/maybe drink some water
- Tue, I tried to keep a bit loose and lower the mask and blow nose while riding and noticed that it was not that effective since I was getting itchy eyes
- Wed morning didn't use mask since we got rain from Tue to Wed. On way back did same as Tue and got some itchy eyes - I do nose wash and eye drops when get home
- Thur, I fit tight the mask to my face and notice my eyes were less itchy
- Fri, same as yesterday, but I replaced the filter that was getting dirt - my eyes are very happy today.
Just saw on weather.com that tree pollen is very high today ... hunmmm?! it seems some measurement problem. It was very low these past days or no pollen.

Getting some more filters so I can survive better the Spring here

rumrunn6

these are too restrictive for cycling. wore one for a cpl hrs for a recent hospital visit. it was borderline fine just sitting & talking

phtomita

Tree pollen level around here is high for couple of days and with coronavirus I am enjoying early morning bike rides around home before checking in into my computer for work.
Allergy is not that bad lately.
I take shower and do nasal rinse after the rides. Not much Flonase recently and also not using the mask.
Also I am having some local raw unfiltered honey as suggested in this thread - from Costco - that initially gave me some stomach problem, but now seems ok.
it looks like the honey is making a good difference, since on previous years shower and nasal rinse would still leave me with itchy eyes and was having Flonase twice a day.

79pmooney

Glasses fogging trick - tape the nose bridge area of the mask. Been doing this for the 3M dust masks as long as I've been riding fix gears and that a time span of eras. I always used masking tape (because boat builders always have an infini8te supply). I take the new mask and put a 3" strip of say 1" tape along the top edge, centered at the nose, then another piece just below. Looks odd but works. Never tried it for cycling but I don't see why that would be so different.

Edit: I have always used 3M dust and asbestos masks, the ones with two yellow straps. Now my last box (from Home Depot) has masks that are smaller and I don't get a goof fit so I am going to look harder next time. But sort of that, those masks are good. They hold up and can be washed. Straps fail first. I could never get an acceptable fit with any single strap mask. My two strap 3Ms stopped fiberglass dust at two weeks old, working 40 your weeks than a single strap mask brand new.

Ben

billridesbikes

Have you tried an immunotherapy course, getting shots of whatever pollen you’re allergic to over time?

GTsandmore

Hi all, I'm in Central Texas and yes, the allergens can be really high. I do NeilMed Sinus Rinse similar to Neti Pot , but with more control. The most relief for me, has been Pe Min Kan Wan, Chinese herb supplement. It dries out your sinuses and minimizes histamine response. Look for an Acupucturist/ TCM Herbalist for guidance. The only problem I have noticed is if you take it too much, it overly dries out your sinuses and for women any other mucous membranes. I take it only once or twice a day depending on the severity of allergens in the air. It does not give me the buzz Claritin does. Good luck Y'all.

FiftySix

Sounds like something worth checking out. Even though daily unfiltered honey rids me of eye and nose problems, my sinuses still are problematic. I use Afrin Severe Deep Congestion Pump Mist nose spray on days I can't stand the sinus pressure.

FiftySix

Two weeks ago I was ridding my yard of leaves and pollen with my rear bagging lawn mower. Due to the way that machine keeps me in a cloud of dust, I wore a simple construction dust mask. Breathing through it while working in the yard was like breathing through a snorkel with forced breathing the entire time. I got quite a lung exercise out of it, but at least my nasal passages were clean.

Darth Lefty 

I had bad allergies as a kid and I got shots. Lots of shots. They swelled up painfully and seemed to do nothing and week later I'd do it again. I wouldn't wish that on any kid.

Seasonally as required I use generic Zyrtec

yamsyamsyams

Have a friend who swears by putting Vaseline in his nostrils prior to rides...then wash out afterwards. Have yet to try but theoretically sounds like it would work.

FiftySix

Artificial mucus. I never thought of that before.

rumrunn6

are you changing filter material? if so, how often?

rumrunn6

this link is no longer working. when I post links, I also try to remember to post brand & model so that, at a later date, if the link doesn't work, readers still know what I was referring to

phtomita

He reposted on #17 for something similar since original one from the past is not on sale anymore.
I think the main prob is because of the virus, all these are current sold out or you have to wait for a long while to get it.

noobinsf 

Just as a quick update, it looks like you can search the term "allergy mask" on Amazon, and several results pop up that at least look like the mask I have -- similar design with velcro closure and ear loop, charcoal filter. I don't tend to keep track of what they do/don't stock, so any link I post up here will have a limited shelf life.

Since last year, I've changed the filter once -- I ride a couple of times a week, and I did not use the mask over the winter when I would ride. Maybe I should change it more often, but so far this has been fine for me.

rumrunn6

Great thank you still waiting for the two I ordered some time ago

neither are still available




ADESUGATA Anti Pollution Sports Mask(Activated Carbon Air Filters and 2 Valves Included) + Level 3 Respirator Masks(Soft & Comfortable Filter Safety Face Mask) for Dust Protection

& this one




Activated Carbon Filter Sport Mask Half Face Riding Mask Reusable Sports Mask for Cycling Running Training Outdoor Activities

bigalo

Great question. I have been wondering about this too