The magic mucking out ingredient - a dust mask!

Z

Zipzop

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 June 2015
Messages
318
Visit site
I have recently had some problems with my asthma and a chest infection but have had a lifelong horse allergy, asthma, hayfever, eczema you name it!

Due to the chest infection I have very recently decided to try a dust mask whilst grooming, mucking out and and doing hay.

I have to say it is the single best thing I have ever done! No more sniffles, no more running nose all day after being at the yard less inhaler usage, and the benefits go on :)

I absolutely cannot believe I haven't done this sooner in my 22 year horse career.

Perhaps in years to come they will become compulsory PPE offered to all staff working in dusty horse environments.
 
It is surprising how many people are suffering without realising. I was rushed into hospital last year unexpectedly (blue light job!) being unable to breathe. Been around horses For nearly 40 yrs and never had an issue other than a couple of bad coughing fits where I burst the blood vessels in my throat (thankfully with a nurse friend at the time!). Kept in hospital and now diagnosed as having allergy related asthma, have to use a daily inhaler.

I now don't go anywhere without my dust mask, got a huge pack from b&q which seal really well around the face so doesn't let anything in.

Hubby was away with work and when he came home he was helping out and started coughing etc, we immediately realised it was the hay and straw, he now wears a mask when doing beds or haynets.

Thing is, we are so particular about buying decent straw and hay and yet it still obviously has an affect, makes you realise how it can affect horses so easily!!

Would urge anyone to try a dust mask and see if you feel better (you may not realise you were affected until you use one!).

Good thread and hope it helps people!
 
I'm alright until it comes to shaking up straw so I use one of those clips that synchronised swimmers wear. You can get them off fleabay for a few pound for a pack of 4.
 
Good idea but be careful as you have to open your mouth to breathe and you'll be breathing it all in! With a dust mask it obviously stops anything going into your mouth or nose and ultimately into your lungs. Dust masks are a pain in the summer as boy they make you hot but in this weather they're great and keep your face warm too!
 
I'm the same with allergies- asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis. I take oral and nasal antihistamines all year round. Have used a dust mask for several years and really makes a difference.
 
I used these when I had the horse at home. Mucking out shavings and doing hay left me with a constantly runny nose, sore throat and sneezing fits, made my asthma really bad too. Hay has an awful effect on me; including runny eyes and itchy skin! Mask helped no end.
I also took off my mucking out clothes as soon as I got in in the house, which seemed to help too.
 
I have asthma and dust is a big trigger for me but I find breathing masking almost impossible to breath in to the point where they make me panicking and even more breathless. I work in an industry where they are compulsory PPE so I have access to the ones that conform to all the standards and they're no better.
 
I can get mild symptoms when having to deal with hay, so I've tried cheap B&Q masks in the past, but also found that they either didn't seal well around the face, or restricted breathing so much that it was impossible to do jobs (which involve some physical activity, after all!) without the mask getting in the way of enough oxygen. Those of you who found masks that you like, would you mind posting what brand/model they are?
 
I have to put something around my face when doing haynets otherwise I end up sneezing for hours afterwards. I keep meaning to buy some dust masks, at the moment I tend to pull my scarf/buff up over my nose which does the job. Our hay isn't even particularly dusty and i still have this problem, makes you think about what the horses are inhaling :-/
 
supsup said:
I can get mild symptoms when having to deal with hay, so I've tried cheap B&Q masks in the past, but also found that they either didn't seal well around the face, or restricted breathing so much that it was impossible to do jobs (which involve some physical activity, after all!) without the mask getting in the way of enough oxygen. Those of you who found masks that you like, would you mind posting what brand/model they are?
Click to expand...

I use the Diall ones (B&Q brand?) they come in a pack of about 12 and are just standard masks but not so thick that they restrict breathing. I've tried the professional masks and have also had a panic moment where it felt like I could get any air through the mask. Hubby uses just standard thicker ones and manages fine but I don't know how he breathes in them as so thick!

Took me a while to find the right ones for me and ones I could still breathe through.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top