Allergic reaction to mask + SOLUTION

First, this is a long post, but if you are allergic to your mask, please read this as there are solutions -- but you have to search for them. I posted several times last week regarding the blistering of my face from the nasal mask I was prescribed. Got lots of really good advice here and tried it all ,but nothing worked. My DME switched me to an Opus 360 nasal pillow mask and after the first night I awoke to a nose full of blisters. OUCH!!! I was literally at my wits end. Told my hubby that since no one know how long I have had sleep apnea and since it hadn't killed me yet that rather than endure the added problem of raw skin and blisters, I would take the chance of not using the mask and accept the fact that I might slip away one night in my sleep. Although hubby understood my frustration, he encouraged me to keep trying AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT A SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND.

After lengthy research (both on this forum and on the internet), I pieced together a solution to my problem that, by the way, the manufacturer, Fisher and Paykel, told me there was no solution for. I was really upset with the company who would market a product and then provide no support. Everyone kept telling me that silicone is an inert substance and that all face masks are hypo-allergenic but what they did not say was that certain chemical residue used during and after the molding of the masks, remains on the mask and people with immune system disorders and/or sensitive skin can react to these chemicals.

I prayed so hard for a solution and I really feel that I was led to Karen, the owner of Pad-a-Cheek. Found out about her product here, looked up the website and called the number. Karen actually answered and she provided me with invaluable information and suggestions on things I could try even though I wasn't calling to order something from her. She even researched a nasal liner she had heard about and called me back with the info. Karen suggested that I try applying Milk of Magnesia in my nose and allow it to dry. I also made my own cloth cover out of an old cotton t-shirt to fit over the nasal prongs without blocking the airflow and, against the advice of tech support rep, Derek, of Fisher Paykel (whose attitude was that he could have cared less if my nose rotted off), I soaked the nasal prongs in a mixture of vinegar and water for almost an hour, then washed it several times in warm soapy water, and let them dry.

I tried the Milk of Magnesia and cloth protector Thursday night and no blisters. Again, last night and no blisters. I am on top of the world.

The most troubling aspect of all this was that people kept telling me it couldn't be the mask because they are made of silicone. But I am here to tell you that I spoke with the Sleep Center at Emory University as well as my own oncologist dermatologists and there ARE people who are allergic to the masks -- not the silicone -- but the chemical residue from the manufacturing process. The trick is to create as much of a barrier between your skin and the silicone so that the skin won't react. The Milk of Magnesia dries and forms the first barrier and the cloth liners I made formed another barrier. The vinegar wash simply helps to remove any chemical residue on the mask.

By the way, there is a product, the one that Karen of Pad-A-Cheek, called me back about, called Quietus Liners that sells liners for all masks including the nasal pillow masks. Although I did not buy this product, I was able to view it online and fashion a pattern that I used to make the liners for my nasal pillow mask.

Again, sorry for the length, but if this info helps just one person, it will have served a purpose.

One of the things I recommend for those with similar problems is several wash cycles in the dishwasher for silicone parts.

inyourdreams, do not apologize for this "long" post -- there may be only a few people who need this information, but I'm one of them and I appreciate this. My skin AND scalp keep reacting to not only the silicone but also the straps that the masks are made of with angry red inflammation. I'm still treating my scalp for a reaction to the back strap of my mask (Karen made a custom cover for that strap which has helped), and yesterday I had to stop using that mask because I woke up with pain inside my nose from the nasal pillow. I don't have a second mask yet so I disconnected my humidifier last night and used the Mirage nasal that they gave me for titration (my climate line tubing doesn't work with that mask). I got a decent seal without having the straps too tight, yet this a.m. I have a red irritated band across the bridge of my nose. I'll be trying some of the remedies you described, so thank you very much. And thanks also to Pad A Cheek Karen for being so helpful.

Kaiasgram, I have to tell you when Karen told me to try Milk of Magnesia, I thought it was kind of out there, but my doctor told me that yes, indeed, that could be a viable solution due to the barrier it creates and, sure enough, when it drys, you can see that it has created a layer so thank heaven for Karen and the information she supplied. I sincerely hope you find some relief. It is unbelievable that we have to go to such lengths to find our own solutions. I guess it is naive of me to think that the manufacturers should want to help the ones they supply products to. As it is, they make their living off of our condition, but once they have our money, they could really care less. Good luck with your issues and please let me know if this works for you.

inyourdreams wrote:Kaiasgram, I have to tell you when Karen told me to try Milk of Magnesia, I thought it was kind of out there, but my doctor told me that yes, indeed, that could be a viable solution due to the barrier it creates and, sure enough, when it drys, you can see that it has created a layer so thank heaven for Karen and the information she supplied. I sincerely hope you find some relief. It is unbelievable that we have to go to such lengths to find our own solutions. I guess it is naive of me to think that the manufacturers should want to help the ones they supply products to. As it is, they make their living off of our condition, but once they have our money, they could really care less. Good luck with your issues and please let me know if this works for you.

I think we deserve at least a bronze medal for hanging in there and persisting with cpap against all odds! The Milk of Magnesia remedy sounds icky, but I will be heading to the store today to get some.

Archangle, thanks for the dishwasher suggestion too.

There are so many nutjobs out there who think they're allergic to everything that the people with legitimate sensitivities sometimes get lumped in with the nutjobs.

Also investigate the possibility that it's not the mask, but something else getting rubbed in by the mask. For instance, mask cleaning products, makeup, soap,face lotion, hand lotion, cosmetics, perfume, etc.

Something that's not bad just on your skin may irritate you when pressed against your skin, and held against your skin by waterproof material that keeps air out and keeps skin moisture, oil, and heat in.

About once a month, I run my headgear (silicone) and nasal pillows through the dishwasher with a load of dishes. Then I rinse the nasal pillows out a couple times, till they don't smell like soap or bleach, and store them as spares for "The Time you Cannot Get Gear". Looking at them later, and using them sometimes just to test them out, all seems well.

I agree, the base material, silicone, is non-reactive, but any mold release or goo it picks up, can linger on.

I don't mix mine with the dishes. I figure I can afford an extra load of water and soap every so often.

A round of applause for Karen!! She even suggested a competitor's mask liner Quietus although she herself makes a wonderful product.! The pediatrician I worked for in the early days always recommended M of M for kids with poison ivy and other skin rashes.

Both the Milk of Magnesia and dishwashing soap are strong chemical bases which react to acids. I wonder if that isn't breaking down something.

-tim wrote:Both the Milk of Magnesia and dishwashing soap are strong chemical bases which react to acids. I wonder if that isn't breaking down something.

The skin oils and acids, I hope.

My skin is so acidic, I destroy watch backs and bands in less than a year (yes, I shower daily). Latest watch is 4 years old, titanium case & band.

Thank you posting this! Last night I slept with the machine and mask for the first time and this morning my face' is all red!
I've been under treatment for severe allergies including face flushing, over this past year, including shots, extra medication, etc. I checked for latex and everyone assured me the mask was latex free, but now I'm so angry and frustrated. No one is returning my calls. The sleep doc said if I had an allergy to the mask, the only option was bariatric surgery. I'm ready to return this whole mess. Help!

If no one has suggested a cloth mask to you, I am.
Sleepweaver has two styles of nasal mask; and are developing a full face mask for sometime in the future.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -mask.html
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -cpap.html
Also, check out their videos on YouTube.

TerriBirdytahallam wrote:Thank you posting this! Last night I slept with the machine and mask for the first time and this morning my face' is all red!
I've been under treatment for severe allergies including face flushing, over this past year, including shots, extra medication, etc. I checked for latex and everyone assured me the mask was latex free, but now I'm so angry and frustrated. No one is returning my calls. The sleep doc said if I had an allergy to the mask, the only option was bariatric surgery. I'm ready to return this whole mess. Help!

Welcome. Please sign up for an ID and fill in your profile with your equipment. There's a link in my signature line below with instructions on how to enter your info.

In particular, we need to know what particular mask you have.

There are many different masks you can try, and several things you can do that might help.

I posted earlier using the name of "Terribirdytahallam." Thanks for the responses. I got my registration to the site straightened out so now you should see what I am using. The medical supply people told me that they will order a nasal mask with cloth but how does that work? I checked the links for the cloth masks, they look promising. How can I be sure that my doctor and med supply people know about these?