I have had my CPAP for about 10 days now, and am definitely sleeping better. However, I have developed Zit-like sores under my nose--any relief I can use? I am using a Comfort Gel nose mask, and it is pretty comfortable--no "bridge soreness or anything. I have a small nose and small head, though, and it seems like the mask comes right up to the base of my eyes. I am a side sleeper--have NEVER slept on my back, so that's a hard transition, and it seems that the past night or two I have been getting more leaks--but i can't tell if it really is a leak, or the air that comes out of the tubing...I haven't ried "molding" the mask yet--anyone have experience with that?
Last night was my first night using my machine while travelling, and it used 0 water in the humidifier, which I find odd.
I haven't slept soundly my entire life and SO want this to all work.
leaks and zits
6 posts
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Ah yes, the familiar "ring of fire". Those zit-like sores under your nose are probably zits. If I were to map every zit that appeared in the past six months they would probably define the complete set of points where the mask contacts skin on my face. Here are some things I learned the hard way by experience, and partly by listening to advice from others here on the forum:
1. Wash the mask thoroughly every day. Some people soak it in vinegar daily, or periodically. Some take it in the shower in the morning and wash it (shampoo it?) then let it air-dry all day. I have added a short ritual about 15 minutes before bedtime, daubing the edges of the mask with a cotton ball soaked in isopropyl alcohol around the part that contacts the skin. Allow enough time to let it completely evaporate, don't want to breathe that stuff, (if you can smell it don't wear it, let it dry some more or blow dry it). I am satisfied that the mask is reasonably germ-free.
2. With a brand-new mask, don't assume it is sterile, give it a thorough scrubbing. The worst mask-zits have appeared immediately after using new equipment. You don't really know where the mask was made or what the fellow at the mask factory was doing just before he went to work that morning. The plastic bags are not air-tight, and are not considered sterile. Don't assume anything.
3. Wash your face completely. That is so simple, but so important.
4. This is not for everybody, but I apply a dab of neosporin to any sensitive spots where the mask has irritated the skin, especially the bridge of the nose and under the nose. Use the vanishing cream type, the oily kind is messy and can cause other problems.
5. Sometimes an irritation on the bridge of the nose appears. I use a modified bandaid, cut the ends off leaving only about a quarter inch of adhesive on either side of the pad. That leaves a truncated bandaid a little over an inch long which fits nicely on the bridge of the nose. It doesn't make quite as good of an air-tight seal, but it relieves the soreness and speeds the healing process. Oh yes, add a dab of neosporin on the bandaid pad before applying.
6. If the zits get out of hand, don't hesitate to inform your doctor, that's a real medical problem and they can deal with it.
7. If it's not really a "zit" zit, but rather a pressure sore, then maybe back off the tension on the headgear. Or try a different mask that has different contact points, or try a "pillow system" type mask. (Swift, Comfort-Lite-II, etc.). Mix it up a little. Or try a full face mask that won't bother the upper lip. For a nasal mask you might try the Activa® which probably has one of the more gentle contact interfaces. It sort of inflates with the air pressure to make a uniform contact all the way around. That is the one that has been described as a "love-sick octopus". It feels a little "squiggly". I can't explain, you would just have to try it to understand that metaphor.
Hope that helps.
-Ric
1. Wash the mask thoroughly every day. Some people soak it in vinegar daily, or periodically. Some take it in the shower in the morning and wash it (shampoo it?) then let it air-dry all day. I have added a short ritual about 15 minutes before bedtime, daubing the edges of the mask with a cotton ball soaked in isopropyl alcohol around the part that contacts the skin. Allow enough time to let it completely evaporate, don't want to breathe that stuff, (if you can smell it don't wear it, let it dry some more or blow dry it). I am satisfied that the mask is reasonably germ-free.
2. With a brand-new mask, don't assume it is sterile, give it a thorough scrubbing. The worst mask-zits have appeared immediately after using new equipment. You don't really know where the mask was made or what the fellow at the mask factory was doing just before he went to work that morning. The plastic bags are not air-tight, and are not considered sterile. Don't assume anything.
3. Wash your face completely. That is so simple, but so important.
4. This is not for everybody, but I apply a dab of neosporin to any sensitive spots where the mask has irritated the skin, especially the bridge of the nose and under the nose. Use the vanishing cream type, the oily kind is messy and can cause other problems.
5. Sometimes an irritation on the bridge of the nose appears. I use a modified bandaid, cut the ends off leaving only about a quarter inch of adhesive on either side of the pad. That leaves a truncated bandaid a little over an inch long which fits nicely on the bridge of the nose. It doesn't make quite as good of an air-tight seal, but it relieves the soreness and speeds the healing process. Oh yes, add a dab of neosporin on the bandaid pad before applying.
6. If the zits get out of hand, don't hesitate to inform your doctor, that's a real medical problem and they can deal with it.
7. If it's not really a "zit" zit, but rather a pressure sore, then maybe back off the tension on the headgear. Or try a different mask that has different contact points, or try a "pillow system" type mask. (Swift, Comfort-Lite-II, etc.). Mix it up a little. Or try a full face mask that won't bother the upper lip. For a nasal mask you might try the Activa® which probably has one of the more gentle contact interfaces. It sort of inflates with the air pressure to make a uniform contact all the way around. That is the one that has been described as a "love-sick octopus". It feels a little "squiggly". I can't explain, you would just have to try it to understand that metaphor.
Hope that helps.
-Ric
He who dies with the most masks wins.
-
DreamStalker
- Posts: 7509
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As an earth scientist, I really enjoyed your "ring of fire" analogy. More importantly though, excellent advice for newbies as this much cleansing detail was not provided by my sleep clinic techs. I will have to begin implementing such a ritual.
Many thanks,
- roberto
Many thanks,
- roberto
President-pretender, J. Biden, said "the DNC has built the largest voter fraud organization in US history". Too bad they didn’t build the smartest voter fraud organization and got caught.
-
TLPPT
Thanks for cleaning regime
I have been washing the mask every other day--but I'll try the daily routine. I like the idea of cleaning the mask when I shower each day; that way it will have time to dry while I am at work. I'll try some neosporine, too.
Thanks to suggestions from other posters, I have also used snipped off pieces of gauze bandage pads held on by "sensitive skin" tape to cushion the interface. (No pun intended). That way you control the thickness of the pad and the tape is less liable to cause leaks.
_________________
| Mask | |
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"Do what you know in your heart is right. You will be criticized either way" Eleanor Roosevelt
More cleaning questions - can we use normal tap water to clean? We dont' have to wash everything distilled water, right?
OK to rinse off diluted vinegar solution after cleaning with normal tap water? If the vinegar soak is supposed to help kill bacteria, among other things, wouldn't rinsing off with water risk getting bacteria from my tap water all over everything again?
OK to rinse off diluted vinegar solution after cleaning with normal tap water? If the vinegar soak is supposed to help kill bacteria, among other things, wouldn't rinsing off with water risk getting bacteria from my tap water all over everything again?
6 posts
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