chapped skin

Hi Everyone!

I don't post frequenlty but when I was diagnosed this forum was a life saver! Now I have a question and need your wisedom!

In the past week I have developed two nasty chapped areas on my face - one just below my nose/above my lip and the other on my cheek to the left of my nose. I thought it had to do with a general skin issue but then this AM i got the bright idea to try on my mask and look in the mirror.

Sure enough the marks are where the mask is on my face(I use the swift) - likely where air is blowing at night. I don't know what is making this happen now though... I haven't changed anything about my mask, I am using a humidifier on the cpap - only other thing i can figure is that putting on the heat in our bedroom for the winter means I need to turn up the humidity on the machine but then I get rainout.

I have never had success in trying a different mask as all the others seem to leak into my eye...

thoughts? suggestions?

Jennifer

The leaking air could dry out the skin for sure.
perhaps the air is dryer because of the heating. You might try to increase the efficiency of the seal by using some chapstick at the edge of your nostrils.
Is it possible the pillows need to be replaced because they are getting less flexible?

TerryB

hmmm could be that the pillows need to be replaced.... how often does one typically need to do that?

Hey Jen,
I have recently designed a PAD A CHEEK Swift Barrel Cozy that may help with the issue you are having.
I also have some protection for the headgear.



If you are interested in this just PM me and I will help you.

Karen

PADACHEEK wrote:Hey Jen,
I have recently designed a PAD A CHEEK Swift Barrel Cozy that may help with the issue you are having.
I also have some protection for the headgear.



If you are interested in this just PM me and I will help you.

Karen

Karen -- That Swift cozy is a brilliant idea. Almost makes me want to go back to the Swift to try it (almost, not quite).

Jennifer -- I was also going to suggest replacing the nasal pillows. The do lose their flexibility like TerryB says. I'm no expert on the subject, but if it were me, I would replace sometime between three and six months. Good luck.

Janna

That is the very reason I quit using the original Swift and went to the ComfortLite 2 instead. I could never keep the barrel of the Swift off my upper lip and it was constantly moist at the bottom of my nose and upper lip area and it started getting very tender and sore there. I considered resorting to Ayr Saline Gel that I've seen recommended here but decided I'd try the ComfortLite 2 instead. I never regretted switching.

I have moved on from the CL2 simply because due to a problem w/no humidifier w/a loaner autoPAP and due to that, drying and chapping of the interior of my nostrils to the point it felt like pouring salt on a raw wound I replaced the CL2 nasal pillows w/the simple nasal cushion that also came w/the CL2. I liked that CL2 simple nasal cushion so well that I never went back to the nasal pillows.

Several months later my hair follicles started protesting the CL2 "cap" and whilst I seriously considered RestedGal's "decapitation" my DME suggested the Simplicity simple nasal cushion. I LOVED the Simplicity and still do. It is a smaller nasal cushion like the CL2's and doesn't sit on the bridge of your nose. It is so lightweight and so flexible in that angle between forehead and bridge of nose there's never been a problem w/that bruised feeling at the bridge of the nose I encountered w/other nasal cushion masks.

I did have to do a simple "fix" to the Simplicity headgear. Even the Simplicity Petite comes w/headgear designed for a giant! The center head strap is way too long. Above the slots for the forehead straps and the back of the headgear I folded that strap and used the optional velcro strip to hold the hose above your head that comes w/the Simplicity to keep that fold in place until I had it fitted just right at which point I ended up cutting almost 2 inches out of the center strap and using a velcro strip to hold the two ends together.

The other minor "fix" was to taper the velcro strip ends of the two bottom straps w/a pair of scissors. For some unknown reason Respironics opted to leave the velcro ends the same width as the straps instead of tapering them and if you didn't place the velcro CAREFULLY on the straps it could rub your neck raw in no time!!!

Hi Jen,

I had the same problem. I found a cream that was developed by a doctor who has sleep apnea. Check out respi-products.com and click on FAQ's. I am now using all his products for a cleaner and healther mask and equipment. RespiCream helped with chapping, chaffing and nasal irritation. All his products are sold on eBay & cpapauctions.com. Give them a try.

MARSMAN