Prevention of asthma induced by cold air by cellulose-fabric face mask.
We have tested the effect of a porous cellulose fabric face mask. Nine asthmatic patients, anamnestically sensitive to cold, took part in exercise tests on an ergometer bicycle at a temperature of approximately -10 degrees C, with and without a face mask. For comparison, exercise tests were also performed with breathing taking place through a woolen scarf. Three minutes after finishing the exercise test, there was an average fall in FEV1 of 32% in the group without a face mask. The corresponding fall in FEV1 was 6% with a face mask and 17% with a scarf. In order to get some idea of the patients' attitudes to the face mask, it was used by 25 asthma patients during a period of 2 weeks in winter, after which they were asked to answer a simple questionnaire. Eighty-eight percent of the patients stated that the face mask had provided satisfactory protection against asthma complaints induced by cold air, and 72% reported that they had been able to spend more time out-of-doors. The results show that porous cellulose fabric designed as a face mask offers effective protection against asthma complaints induced by cold air and exercise, and that the patients appear to appreciate this protective aid highly despite the cosmetic disadvantages.
Millqvist
E
E
Asthma and Allergy Centre, University of Göteborg, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Sweden.
Bake
B
B
Bengtsson
U
U
Löwhagen
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002482:Cellulose; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014935:Wool
D002482:Cellulose