newbie with mask questions?

I am trying to use my CPAP I have a full face mask. I have a couple of problems. First in order to keep the mask from leaking i have to draw the straps up tight to the point it makes the mask uncomfortable to wear. Second my face iches after a short period of time of wearing the mask. I tried a nasal mask which I really like but the CPAP machine blows my lips open and the air escapes through my mouth. Has anyone dealt with these issues? Thanks in advance!

You could try a chin strap. Personally I didn't have much luck with it because my lips would still come open even with my chin in place. So when I use my nasal mask I put tape on my lips to prevent that. I use a tape called "gentle paper" (get it at a pharmacy not the hardware store ). You can get 3M brand or generic brands but I find the 3M brand sticks the best. I make a little folded over bit for a tab on one side in order to be able to take it off fast. I've found that I have to keep my facial hair shaved for it to work well too.

What kind of full face mask do you use? You can edit your profile and put your equipment in the signature so people know what you are using and can help you better. I have a full face mask which I use as well called mirage quattro made by resmed. It has thin silicone plastic on the cushion and I find that I need to wash my face with a gentle soap as well as make sure the cushion is cleaned. For the cushion I use an unscented Dr. Bronner's liquid soap and for my face I use unscented neutrogena. If my skin is really clean the mask will stick to my skin and I don't need to tighten the straps so tight. Some people do better with mask liners, so that's another option to try, but I've found they don't work for me and it's better to wash my face and mask.

87bob wrote:I am trying to use my CPAP I have a full face mask. I have a couple of problems. First in order to keep the mask from leaking i have to draw the straps up tight to the point it makes the mask uncomfortable to wear. Second my face iches after a short period of time of wearing the mask. I tried a nasal mask which I really like but the CPAP machine blows my lips open and the air escapes through my mouth. Has anyone dealt with these issues? Thanks in advance!

The chinstrap that I wear stops all mouth leaks. With the plain nasal mask that I use I do get high quality treatment.

This is the mask that I use. It just envelopes the nose. Nothing goes into the nares.



It's OK if the lips are a bit open as long as the mouth does not open too much. The following is a typical leak and treatment results that I get with this arrangement:

You want Padacheek.com liners... will solve a lot, but you must loosen the straps or the cushion can't inflate and do its job.

87bob wrote:I am trying to use my CPAP I have a full face mask. I have a couple of problems. First in order to keep the mask from leaking i have to draw the straps up tight to the point it makes the mask uncomfortable to wear. Second my face iches after a short period of time of wearing the mask. I tried a nasal mask which I really like but the CPAP machine blows my lips open and the air escapes through my mouth. Has anyone dealt with these issues? Thanks in advance!

IF you need to pull the straps tight you are not fitting the mask properly or you have the wrong size. Watch these videos....

https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylc=X3 ... s&ei=UTF-8