I Hate Neoprene

[Snoozeless]

I am a newbie to CPAP. I just started using it in mid December. I started with a nasal mask, and noticed that the straps were causing itching. Then my nose was too plugged up to sleep with my mask. I was waking up literally suffocating. I switched to a full mask and tried it out last night. IT DROVE ME CRAZY all night with the itchiness. Even three hours later my chin is itching and my sinuses are congested. I googled and saw that neoprene won the allergen of the year on one site (Green Health Spot). I am allergic to latex, and now appear to be in the same boat with neoprene. Now I even wonder if the sinus congestion is an inflammatory response to it.

I am probably going to order strap covers from padacheeck, but I sure wish they would find another material for these straps.

[ChicagoGranny]

Neoprene

Are the straps for the mask in your equipment profile made of neoprene? The manufacturer's specs say they are made of Urethane Foam; Lycra; Nylon and unbroken-loop fabric.

[SleepyEyes21]

I am a newbie to CPAP. I just started using it in mid December. I started with a nasal mask, and noticed that the straps were causing itching. Then my nose was too plugged up to sleep with my mask. I was waking up literally suffocating. I switched to a full mask and tried it out last night. IT DROVE ME CRAZY all night with the itchiness. Even three hours later my chin is itching and my sinuses are congested. I googled and saw that neoprene won the allergen of the year on one site (Green Health Spot). I am allergic to latex, and now appear to be in the same boat with neoprene. Now I even wonder if the sinus congestion is an inflammatory response to it.

I am probably going to order strap covers from padacheeck, but I sure wish they would find another material for these straps.

Hi Snoozeless, welcome to the forum! So sorry to hear about your trouble with the neoprene in the mask You've raised a good point; there could be others like yourself that have a reaction to neoprene. Perhaps you can call your DME to see if they have options in mask material from the manufacturer?

While you are waiting for your padacheek strap covers, can you think of a temporary solution that might help? For example, do you have an old t-shirt or maybe a lightweight scarf/ material you can cut apart to wrap around the mask straps? You may be able to secure it with a small safety pin or bobbie pin.

I would suggest asking your primary doc or sleep doc if your sinus congestion could be an inflammatory response to neoprene; seems logical to me, but I am not a medical professional

I hope you stop itching and sleep better!

[Snoozeless]

I was just looking, and I think I will consider making my own covers with some fleece I have. They might not be the most attractive after I'm done, but at least it might save me from flushing my mask down the toilet.

Chicagogranny, that's interesting. I assumed they were neoprene because they look like neoprene. You know what they say about assuming stuff though...I have to say, they itch WAY more than the straps on my Comfortgel did--but it could be because of the location of the straps. If it's not neoprene than something in it really irritates me.

[SleepyEyes21]

I was just looking, and I think I will consider making my own covers with some fleece I have. They might not be the most attractive after I'm done, but at least it might save me from flushing my mask down the toilet.

Chicagogranny, that's interesting. I assumed they were neoprene because they look like neoprene. You know what they say about assuming stuff though...I have to say, they itch WAY more than the straps on my Comfortgel did--but it could be because of the location of the straps. If it's not neoprene than something in it really irritates me.

Great idea, Snooze! If you know how to sew (even just a little bit), it is easy enough to make your own covers. It doesn't matter what it looks like, and it also saves you money A lot of us here make our own comfort covers for our masks, hoses, etc.

Keep us posted on how you are doing

[chunkyfrog]

Urethane and Neoprene sometimes look similar, but urethane continues
outgassing for much of its life, and has been associated with cancer.

[ChicagoGranny]

urethane continues
outgassing for much of its life, and has been associated with cancer.

only a small percentage of cancers have been traced to the thousands of synthetic chemicals that industry has added to the environment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/sunda ... pe=opinion

[chunkyfrog]

A review of his book:
http://www.npr.org/2013/08/27/214508891 ... ng-disease
JMFO: chemicals that irritate your mucus membranes could well be doing SOME damage, even if it does not lead to cancer.

[ChicagoGranny]

chemicals that irritate your mucus membranes could well be doing SOME damage

That's very basic.

But why limit it to "chemicals"? The same could be said of house dust, pet dander, dried dust mite feces, molds, sifted flour, pepper, dust from mowing, raking leaves or trimming shrubbery, potpourri, sand blowing on the beach, pollens, dry air, ...

[Snoozeless]

I ended up not having time to deal with the straps last night, so resorted to the very glamorous solution of wrapping them in toilet paper. It worked, however, no itching!

I am inclined to still go with my gut on the sinus congestion. A couple of years ago I had a medical device removed that was filled with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fibers. While I (and others who have had issues with the device) have not been able to prove it, I believe the PET caused severe inflammation. I didn't even think of that when I purchased my CPAP mask. It is interesting to me now that the straps are causing me issues. It sort of solidifies my theory that I have at least a sensitivity to some of these products and that the PET fibers may have been A LOT to blame for a lot of the problems I experienced for years. I also question some of the chemicals used to treat fabrics--like Formaldehyde. That's just my opinion though.

[SleepyEyes21]

I ended up not having time to deal with the straps last night, so resorted to the very glamorous solution of wrapping them in toilet paper. It worked, however, no itching!

I am inclined to still go with my gut on the sinus congestion. A couple of years ago I had a medical device removed that was filled with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fibers. While I (and others who have had issues with the device) have not been able to prove it, I believe the PET caused severe inflammation. I didn't even think of that when I purchased my CPAP mask. It is interesting to me now that the straps are causing me issues. It sort of solidifies my theory that I have at least a sensitivity to some of these products and that the PET fibers may have been A LOT to blame for a lot of the problems I experienced for years. I also question some of the chemicals used to treat fabrics--like Formaldehyde. That's just my opinion though.

Hi Snooze,

Glad to hear you came up with a good solution for last night.

Only you know your body best; listen to it, and do what is comfortable for you.

You also may want to keep some notes/ a journal of these fabrics and symptoms that bother you to show doctors in the future.

[chunkyfrog]

CG, yeah, whatever bothers you. Best to avoid it.
Hard, though, if it's everything!
For me, it's mostly pollen and solvents (non-water), easy to dodge..

[SewTired]

Snoozeless, your best option might be to switch to Circadian fabric masks.