Trouble with my mask......anyone with similar issues?

[Roc]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea earlier this year. I have been having trouble finding the proper mask. I first had a nasal mask which didn't work well for me. I have tried a full face masks, which I had preferred, but have been having trouble keeping a seal on a consistent basis. Now, I have the resmed swift fx nasal pillows. I use it with a chin strap. Used it for the first time last night and actually kept a seal. The problem was upon waking I felt a little sore around the outside of my nostrils and was red in that area. I have now developed what looks like a pimple in that area as well. Anyone out there having similar issues?

[LadyK]

I absolutely have the same issues. I have extremely sensitive skin. I mean the type of skin that breaks out with cysts If I do not take care of it properly. I also use a nasal pillow mask and until I started cleaning my nasal pillows as well as my face every night with Hibiclens (chlorhexidine gluconate 4% solution) I would get acne around the rim of my nose. I actually need to use a full face mask but my skin cannot handle it. My Dermatologist told me years ago that my skin does not fight off the bacteria that causes acne and or cysts very well. Anyway, Hibiclens has been a godsend for me. It is a antimicrobial surgical scrub used in hospitals. You can buy small 8 oz bottles at the drug store anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00 (to expensive). I get mine on the internet. The cost is much lower. I buy Large bottles that last for a while. Hibiclens is a brand name. The main thing is that you get a brand that has the active ingredient chlorhexidine gluconate 4% solution. Amazon.com is a good start. Also you can Google Hibiclens or the active ingredients. Hope this helps.....Good Luck.

[Sheriff Buford]

This is a common problem for you folks using nasal masks. Most folks recogmend nanolish cream (spelling?). You get it on the baby isle in the drug store. It is nipple cream nursing moms use. Seems to work great.

Sheriff

[Julie]

'Lansinoh' cream.

But I like nanolish too.

[49er]

Another option is try the sleep weaver elan cloth mask listed in my equipment profile. Very comfortable and I haven't had any skin problems. If you purchase it through cpap.com, there is an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee. Never used a DME but I understand that most of them have to order it.

49er

[library lady]

Mask liners provide a barrier between cushion and skin; they also act like a gasket to help the seal, and for me, they helped immensely with the leaks. I won't go without them as I now have virtually no leaks to wake me. Usually, the occasional large leaks that do occur don't wake me either.

[WildMtnHoney]

So sorry you have to deal with this, but, yep, same exact problem, here.

I have to soak any new pillows in a water solution of a dilute amount of my usual facial soap before using, or else I get great big zits around my nose where ever the pillows touch. I also use lanisoh every evening, after washing my face well. I don't use any special wipes on my pillows since healing a sore recently, but I do now use a damp micro fiber cloth (just water) a bit before bedtime, so they are dry and ready when I am, and the sore finally healed. I am also now using the RemZzz liners, but honestly only use them every other, or every 3rd day, because that is when I start to notice the raw tenderness coming back. After a liner "break" of one night, it seems I can go back to "bare" pillows with just lanisoh for a bit again.