I have severe allergies and, at the moment, occupy a residence with 9 pets to which I'm highly allergic. So, I actually sleep* wearing the mask and wear it 90% of the time I am in the house. Of course, I'm also quite allergic to latex and spent a long time trying to confirm other masks as being latex-free which I could not. Maybe there are others out there, but I haven't had any reactions while wearing this mask. I am 34, but have a small frame and I believe a large size would have been too big for me. Though I would prefer to wear NO mask, the mask is fairly comfortable, given that I have to wear it for so many hours per day. If it sits too heavy on one area of the face, I can usually pull it in a different direction using the adjustable straps. Previous cheap paper masks caused my nose bridge to hurt. The only times it's really uncomfortable are: 1) if the encircling head strap falls down on one of my ears (per se) and I leave it like that for awhile. This can probably be more readily avoided by making sure to get a mask that is not too big. 2) The neck strap is pulled too tight causing the clasp to press into the skin. Easily remedied (for me) by moving the clasp to one side or the other, which is completely possible. The seal is pretty tight if you keep the straps reigned in enough. If your face becomes wet, for whatever reason, the mask will slide some if not pulled tight. I have noticed significant reduction in nasal congestion since wearing the mask vigilantly and no longer have to take copious amounts of Benadryl and Sudafed or their generic brethren. I use particulate filters, which are pink.** Filters are not included with the mask and must be ordered separately! I have been using mine for a couple months and they've gotten clogged up with dust but are still functional (meaning I'm not having terrible allergies). Sidenote: I had some slight trouble screwing in one of the filters and thought my mask was defective, but it eventually went into it's groove. I think I might have switched sides on the filters to make them both go in. * Disclaimer: I can't recommend people to sleep in the mask, if the filters becomes blocked by blankets, you might suffocate, seems unlikely but I don't know. Also, some medical conditions might preclude using the mask to sleep in. ** I know most people know about filters but it's important so: Besides particulate filters, the other main type of filter(s) are for organic vapors (paint fumes, poisonous gases) which come in a wide variety to absorb different chemical exposures. I don't know how many types of those filters are available for this model and couldn't speak to their efficacy, though I do believe at least some carbon filters are available. Using particulate filters I can still smell bleach, smoke, etc though the mask; it is only slightly reduced. PARTICULATE FILTERS, like the ones I use for dust and pollen, WILL NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM CHEMICAL VAPORS OR SMOKE INHALATION. Further, organic/carbon filters will wear out with continued exposure to an environment that breaks down the filter. If the filter is worn out, it won't protect you from chemical exposure. Finally, different chemical filters are designed to protect against specific chemical exposures. Though, some protect against a wide array of exposures, generally, no single filter will protect against all chemical exposures.
