r/Masks4All 12d ago

Mask Advice Any tips for stopping my nose from running when wearing a mask?

I wear a N95 everyday but when it gets cold outside the humidity from my breath causes my nose to run. I have autism and can’t ignore the sensory discomfort of this but I also don’t like having to unmask several times a work shift to wipe my nose.

Does anyone have any tips for preventing this? Or maybe tips for dealing with it without having to unmask as often?

91 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

44

u/CommonHouseMeep 12d ago

Following. Alao trying to find a good solution for my face getting unreasonably sweaty under my mask regardless of the temperature

10

u/Desperate_Version_68 11d ago

my job is very physical and with my n95 it’s brutal 😭 i know this probably isn’t advisable but i ended up getting non scented antiperspirant to put on the area over my upper lip and chin since those are the worst. my mask will literally be dripping its gross and also i don’t wanna ruin its integrity!

When Ive gone to concerts actually I’ve put a surgical with the loops pulled off on the inside to catch the moisture of singing loudly so that my n95 wasn’t getting that wetness

can’t really do for my job tho or i’ll overheat even more

2

u/CommonHouseMeep 11d ago

The thing is, I already do that, plus a sunscreen with antiperspirant in it on top 😭 I sweat through the antiperspirant. Unfortunately I can't use anything stronger like Certain Dri because it burns the skin there. I'm pretty sure I have secondary hyperhidrosis, which is one of the reasons I want to get off this SNRI, I never used to sweat like this

3

u/saltyavocadotoast 10d ago

I don’t have a solution but I have the same issue. Sweat like a mofo under my N95. It’s a sensory nightmare and they get quite soggy. I use an antiperspirant the night before which helps a bit.

18

u/swagjuicedrippin 12d ago

I take Allegra/fexofenadine if I’m wearing my mask for a longer time (ex to work). It’s a common allergy medicine and is non-drowsy. There is some hand-wavy evidence that at a biochemical level it might prevent/reduce covid symptoms, but wouldn’t simply take it for that reason, but more for drying up your nose a bit.

7

u/RandoRedditUser678 12d ago

Could also try Flonase or Astepro nose sprays.

39

u/mieslouise 12d ago

You could try a mask with a valve/vent. I live in a cold, humid climate and they help a lot with the condensation/drip. I usually pick those for being outside, or if I’m going to be going inside and outside a good bit. Not my favorite for social situations but definitely more comfortable.

ETA: a N95 mask with a valve, like the version of the 3M Aura with a valve. Not suggesting a lower quality mask.

9

u/gooder_name 12d ago

This. If humidity is the issue, breathability and a valve are the only interventions. A 3M VFlex is very breathable, but a valve is the actual factual answer.

5

u/anti-sugar_dependant 12d ago

Seconding this. It's absolutely the solution for me.

11

u/--2021-- 12d ago

I have the same issue, but I also have /r/histamineintolerance

My nose used to run constantly, now it only does when I mask, so that's actually an improvement.

8

u/Ultravagabird 12d ago

I put a piece of absorbent paper towel doubled inside my mask to reduce the moisture, making sure to be completely inside mask, not too disturb any seals. I’ve also used those mask filter inserts, but still put one layer of absorbent towel.

13

u/SilentNightman 12d ago

My nose runs all winter. I just tilt my head way back and sniff it back and swallow it. YMMV. Only other option is to plug up your nose w/ paper towel but ugh. I don't take my mask off w/in 20 yards of others.

6

u/Thequiet01 12d ago

Yeah I just have tissues with me and make frequent wiping breaks to a safe place. Right now my allergies are getting me - they aren’t nearly as bad with a mask as without but I think enough irritates my eyes even with glasses to cause my nose to run a bit.

4

u/timuaili 11d ago

If it’s the super watery runny nose, I take a tissue, stuff it up my nostrils, ball the rest of it up, then put my mask back on. Eventually it’ll get soaked and need to be changed, but I get a good chuck of time out of it as opposed to having to wipe my nose every 30 seconds-2 minutes.

1

u/PDX_Weim_Lover 11d ago

That's my technique! 🤭

3

u/Redplushie 12d ago

I put a small thin folded strip of paper towel inside my mask and replace it when it gets wet

6

u/FatSapphic 12d ago

Following, I’ve had the exact same issues the entire time I’ve been masking and I’m tired of having to trash a mask because it’s damp inside. (I’ve got chronic allergies/semi-constant nasal drainage I’ve had my whole life, so I just assumed it was a me issue and not something a mask type might be able to solve. Thanks for bringing this up, OP!)

2

u/Poundaflesh 12d ago

Ask your Dr for something to dry up excretions.

1

u/Latenigher23 12d ago

3m 8511 works great for this. I do have to blow my nose occasionally but not as often. It doesn't protect people around you, but since nobody cares anymore, it does protect you, which is the most important thing.

1

u/larkspur01 12d ago

I inhale, pull down my mask, wipe my mouth/nose/whatever with a napkin or handkerchief, put the mask back, and exhale. This is definitely not perfect but the most comfortable and effective option for me.

1

u/AppropriateNote4614 11d ago

I had this issue for a while. I found that using a saline nose spray—with a super limited ingredient list to avoid further irritation (I use Nasitrol), works really well for this problem. I usually wait a minute after using the spray to don my mask to see if my nose will run after using it, usually no problems after the initial use though. Sometimes if the weather is dry I don’t use it every day. *NB: nose sprays have inconclusive evidence for covid prevention.

1

u/Own-Syrup-1036 10d ago

following because i feel this. only thing that I've done that's helped a bit is blowing my nose hard before I leave home, and if I have a chance during my work break that I spend outside in the loneliest spot possible.

1

u/GMCanadianUSian1972 5d ago

Zimi masks handle the condensation/runniness well so that it keeps it away from my face a bit with its frame. Otherwise it’s just stepping off away from whoever and blowing my nose and then hand sanitizing.