topic Re: Face Mask Fit Observation in Community Chat

Face Mask Fit Observation

Marp — Sat, 23 May 2020 12:18:47 GMT

I've noticed that a lot of face masks, particularly the disposable type, have obvious gaps at the sides. I was having the same problem until I realized the main cause was the ear loops.

I solved the problem, or more accurately minimized the problem, by using a Christmas ornament hook on the ear loops. I've found the mask not only fits better with the gap minimized I;m also not constantly trying to adjust it.

Perhaps the little hook will work for others that have been finding the masks do not fit well, gap or shift.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

esmerelda — Sat, 23 May 2020 14:31:06 GMT

@Marp Interesting. So how does that work? Use the ornament hook in place of the ear loops? As part of? Hook the loops together behind the head?

I'm not worried about gaps at the sides, but mine (disposable) rides up on my face (in spite of the nose wire) and tries to get in my eyes!

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

Shanus — Sat, 23 May 2020 14:58:52 GMT

@esmerelda wrote:
@Marp Interesting. So how does that work? Use the ornament hook in place of the ear loops? As part of? Hook the loops together behind the head?

I'm not worried about gaps at the sides, but mine (disposable) rides up on my face (in spite of the nose wire) and tries to get in my eyes!

@esmerelda Are you pulling it down under your chin sufficiently? Same issue here at first.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

Shanus — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:03:43 GMT

@Marp wrote:
I've noticed that a lot of face masks, particularly the disposable type, have obvious gaps at the sides. I was having the same problem until I realized the main cause was the ear loops.

I solved the problem, or more accurately minimized the problem, by using a Christmas ornament hook on the ear loops. I've found the mask not only fits better with the gap minimized I;m also not constantly trying to adjust it.

Perhaps the little hook will work for others that have been finding the masks do not fit well, gap or shift.

@Marp Thanks for posting the suggestion. Because I have lots going on behind my ears....glasses, hearing aids, don't think this will work, but DD (also a tiny face like mine) wears child size masks at work and that's what I'm wearing for a closer fit. In a pinch, double stick tape does the trick.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

esmerelda — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:06:53 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@esmerelda wrote:
@Marp Interesting. So how does that work? Use the ornament hook in place of the ear loops? As part of? Hook the loops together behind the head?

I'm not worried about gaps at the sides, but mine (disposable) rides up on my face (in spite of the nose wire) and tries to get in my eyes!

@esmerelda Are you pulling it down under your chin sufficiently? Same issue here at first.

@Shanus Several times each wearing. If seems to be low enough, under the chin, but it still moves. Probably caused by talking.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

Shanus — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:09:55 GMT

@esmerelda wrote:
@Shanus wrote:
@esmerelda wrote:
@Marp Interesting. So how does that work? Use the ornament hook in place of the ear loops? As part of? Hook the loops together behind the head?

I'm not worried about gaps at the sides, but mine (disposable) rides up on my face (in spite of the nose wire) and tries to get in my eyes!

@esmerelda Are you pulling it down under your chin sufficiently? Same issue here at first.
@Shanus Several times each wearing. If seems to be low enough, under the chin, but it still moves. Probably caused by talking.

@esmerelda I just recommended to @Marp to try a little piece of double stick tape. It worked for me until I got my kid's masks. Also be sure wire is firmly bent over nose.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

Shanus — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:13:03 GMT

@Marp @esmerelda At this point wearing the mask properly is more than looks. I've even used a bit a paper surgical tape to hold sides down or guess you could use a piece under the chin. The paper type is easier on skin when removing.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

Marp — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:20:13 GMT

@esmerelda wrote:
@Marp Interesting. So how does that work? Use the ornament hook in place of the ear loops? As part of? Hook the loops together behind the head?

I'm not worried about gaps at the sides, but mine (disposable) rides up on my face (in spite of the nose wire) and tries to get in my eyes!

@esmerelda, I had the same problem with the mask riding up toward my eyes. That too was solved with the hook.

I just put one ear loop on one end and the other ear loop on the other end.

This keeps the elastic almost even with the position it is in at the sides of the mask instead of sloping to fit around the ear. All the slope occurs at the back of the head.

It sounds more complicated than it is. Once you try it the correct position for you will be almost automatic.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

Lali1 — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:25:57 GMT

On knitting and crochet sites people are making little extenders with buttons to attach the mask straps to. I see them constanty so many patterns I don't know why they need so many. Are that many people having trouble with the masks fitting correctly? The extenders make it looks uncomfortable to me.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

bikerbabe — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:55:58 GMT

@prettychris

Nurses get sores behind the ear from wearing masks 12+ hours a day. The extenders are very popular among health care professionals.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

novamc1 — Sun, 24 May 2020 17:02:06 GMT

@Marp

A person who works in a doctor's office suggested to me that we follow her example if a mask is too loose or rides up to the eyes.

Just twist the two side elastic loops one time and THEN fit them over the ears.

The mask then fits more snugly and eliminates gaps on the sides.

This is such a simple thing that I felt really dumb for not thinking of it before.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

novamc1 — Sun, 24 May 2020 17:34:23 GMT

@esmerelda

The technique I mentioned in my previous post (twisting the elastic side loops one time, into a figure-8 position) stops the mask from riding up to your eyes.

That problem was bothering me, too.

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

esmerelda — Wed, 27 May 2020 21:14:08 GMT

@novamc1 I took the figure 8 suggestion and it did help. Mask still moved but not as often and not as far/close to my eyes. Thank you!

Re: Face Mask Fit Observation

germanshepherdlove — Wed, 27 May 2020 21:23:41 GMT

@novamc1 I tried that and unfortunately it didn't work for me. I gave those particular masks - a lot of them - to relatives who gladly took them. They were sanitary and untouched.