According to media reports,Mr. Wang, a Fuzhou citizen, recently sought medical treatment for difficulty breathing. The examination found that his blood oxygen saturation had dropped to 85%. He was eventually diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by down inhalation in the alveoli, commonly known as "down lung."
Mr. Wang recalled that this down jacket was purchased at a low price from an online shopping platform last year. After wearing it a few times, the lining was damaged, and the down would float out when moved. Since he stayed indoors every day and did not exercise much, he did not change it in time. About a month ago, he began to feel out of breath, weak and stuffy. At first he thought it was a common cold, but he did not get better after resting. It was not until he went to the hospital with difficulty breathing at the end of January that he was diagnosed.
Chen Dan, deputy chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, said that "down lung" is not a strict medical diagnosis name, but a popular expression for hypersensitivity pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of down fibers or tiny particles in them.
Experts remind,When purchasing a down jacket, you should pay attention to whether the fabric uses anti-drilling technology. You should regularly place the down jacket in a ventilated place to dry and pat it gently to maintain air circulation while wearing it.
If symptoms such as progressively aggravated dry cough, shortness of breath after activity, and chest tightness occur in a specific environment while wearing a down jacket, and are relieved after leaving the environment, you should be highly alert to the possibility of "down lung."
Chen Dan further pointed out,Patients in the early stages of the disease often present with persistent dry cough, chest tightness, and fatigue, which can easily be mistaken for a common cold or bronchitis and delay treatment. If exposure continues, they may have difficulty breathing, blood oxygen saturation drop to below 85%, or even respiratory failure.Therefore, it is crucial to choose down jackets from a health perspective in winter. The key is to minimize the possibility of inhaling down debris, microorganisms and dust.
Dr. Huang, the attending physician at the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Fujian Provincial People's Hospital, provided some suggestions for purchase and use: In terms of fabrics, give priority to fabrics with a high weave count and tight feel, and confirm whether they have an "anti-drilling coating" or "anti-drilling needlework". At the same time, ensure that the inner fabric is dense to prevent down from penetrating underwear.
Down with a high degree of water washing and cleanliness can reduce the risk of allergies. A fill power of 600FP or above is preferred, and a fill power of 800FP or above is high quality. If possible, goose down can be selected, as its down is larger and has a smaller smell.
It is normal for a new down jacket to have a slight smell, but if there is a strong fishy, musty or chemical smell, you need to be wary of inferior filling or fabric residue.
In terms of craftsmanship, you should check whether stitches, seams, buttonholes and other parts are tight, and give priority to products with a four-layer structure of fabric, anti-drilling velvet layer, lining, lock velvet grid and equipped with anti-velvet strips.
