CVS brand earplugs----contaminated?

[LoQ]

Has anyone else used the CVS brand of silicone earplugs? I've been using them because they are cheaper. The last package I picked up seems to be contaminated. I put one on the mask the other night, and within 3 minutes of wearing the mask my face was burning. I just pulled the silicone off of my mask to examine it, and there are some little white sharp things embedded in it. I also noticed that it discolored my mask, and I'm a little afraid to use it now.

Has anyone else had a problem with this brand?

[sleepycarol]

Was there more than one pair in the package?

Are the others similar in appearance?

I wouldn't use them to be on the safe side but I would complain about them. I would return them to the store where purchased and / or call or email the company and explain the problem. Others have probably detect the same problem as you.

[LoQ]

Six pair. All seem to have these little white things in them, but they are hard to see until you flatten them out. Obviously, I cannot use them. The burning was unbearable. I'm sure it would have damaged my skin if I had left it on. Fortunately, there was no damage to my skin, just the potential damage to my mask.

I don't know if anyone else has detected this problem or not, that's why I'm asking. The pharmacist said there has been no company recall on these, and I cannot find anything like this on the internet. So I thought I would ask here, since people here use a lot of ear plugs of this kind.

[sleepycarol]

I would still notify the company -- do they have an 800 number or website/email address.

I would NOT use them but I wouldn't get rid of them in case you encounter some problem in the near future that could be attributed to them.

[LoQ]

I understand. I'm just trying to find out if anyone else has spotted this problem. I'm still hoping people who may have actually used them will reply. Unfortunately a lot of threads don't get read by many, and maybe I chose a poor title. Maybe I can update it.

[Lynda1949]

Hi, I bought a bunch of the CVS earplugs also because they are far cheaper than the Macks. I didn't have any problems with them though. I put them in my ears though --- not on my mask.

[LoQ]

Hi, I bought a bunch of the CVS earplugs also because they are far cheaper than the Macks. I didn't have any problems with them though. I put them in my ears though --- not on my mask.

Yeah, they are cheaper, and they seem to work just as well. I have bought them in the past and they didn't have anything wrong with them. Hopefully I'll be able to get them in the future when this problem is cleared up. Thanks for your feedback.

[garyland]

I am confused. How do EARPLUGS find themselves IN or ON your mask. Don't they go in your ears? I am not joking, I would like to know how they got in your mask.

Gary

[LoQ]

Hi, Gary. Cute picture!

I use the earplugs to seal my mask to my face. The earplugs are made of silicone, and are something like putty in consistency. I roll one out, slice it into strips, and then lay the strips around the cushion on my mask where it is going to touch my face. The silicone is slightly sticky, and its softness allows it to mold to my face better than the shape of the mask alone. Everyone's face is a little different, and the silicone allows you to "caulk" your mask to your face.

[garyland]

Oh, now it makes sense! BTW thanks for the compliment!