red marks all day on face

[FLIGHTYONE]

I finally got a full mask and it seems to be helping but I am still tired but I think it is my early hours up at 4 am not in bed till 10pm and up at least 4 or 5 times at night with the cpac machine for one thing or another UUUGGGGHHHHH

anyway, i think i got alot of the kinks worked out the mask still leaks alot at night ,waking my husband and me up, dont know how to stop that

my question is i have red marks across my bridge of my nose and down my cheeks, and it is 7 in the evening and there are still there and look like bumps
i have a sensivity to latex do you think that is what this is,
thanks

[Tasmania]

As far as I know all the major manufacturers certify their masks as 100%latex free. Certainly every single mask I own has rather prominently labled the box as such. CPAP masks are made out of flexible silicone, usually with a hard plastic frame to give it support and maintain the appropriate shape, etc.

Most of us here have had difficulties with red marks to one degree or another. Every mask is a little different for every person with regard to how bad those marks are. Headgear straps also often leave red marks. Generally these marks occur where there is pressure against your face. Since you are having problems with leaks, I'm guessing that you have experimented with tightening the straps to try and stop them. Unfortunately, the tighter the mask, the worse the marks are likely to get.

If the marks are as bad as you seem to indicate... and especially if they are painful... the mask you are using may not be a good one for you. Or it may just be the wrong size. The fact that you can't get the leaks stopped may also be a hint that the mask just isn't right for your facial anatomy.

If the marks start turning into actual pressure sores then you REALLY need to get a different mask.

There are a few products that have helped many of us to lessen the severity and lifespan of marks. For strap marks I recommend strap pads. There are several brands (SnuggleStrap, StrapGuard, Pad-A-Cheek) or you can make your own.

For mask marks you can try using a non-petroleum based moisturizer before hosing up at night. Petroleum products can damage silicone and cause the mask to deteriorate faster than it should. CPAP.com offers CPAP moisture therapy cream and RespiCream. I personally prefer Lansinoh which is 100% pure medical grade lanolin. It is actually designed for breastfeeding mothers with sore nipples... but it works very well for mask irritation as well. It is very thick and somewhat sticky... and a little goes a long way. I have had virtually no soreness from any of my masks since I started using it regularly and my facial skin has never felt so soft and supple. You might expect to get zits from it but I have actually had FEWER pimples not more since using it. This probably has to do with the fact that lanolin is virtually identical to the natural oils of our own skin. The company claims that even those with wool allergies can use it since it undergoes such a strenuous purification process (lanolin comes from sheeps wool). Lansinoh can also help with some leak issues since its slight stickiness can help the mask cushion seal better to your face.

You can try some of these ideas but you may find in the end that you need a different mask. There is no perfect mask that works for everybody and unfortunately there is a lot of trial and error involved in finding the right one for you. That's why so many of us play mask roulette so often.

[Wulfman...]

If you're talking about the Ultra Mirage Full Face (UMFF) in your profile, you might want to read some of my posts on it. Size and adjustment is important. If properly sized and adjusted, it should not make any marks on your face. And, all of the masks I'm aware of are "Latex Free".


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Den

[RosemaryB]

Before I wear any mask I soak it overnight in dishwashing detergent, like Dawn, unscented and not antibacterial. Then I let it dry. Some of the stuff that's on the new mask could cause a reaction for me, at least it does seem to cause some nasal allergy problems.

[papoose]

Within two days of beginning CPAP therapy, I developed a red, bumpy, blistery, and irritating reaction where the silicone of the mask came in contact with my face. By the third day, there was no way I could put the mask back on. I was told I had contact dermatitis, perhaps an allergy to silicone.

When I asked for a mask made of different material, I was told, "Too bad...they're ALL made of silicone." I was also told that contact dermatitis is a common reaction to CPAP masks. (So why don't the manufacturers offer alternatives?) I then tried a mask with nasal pillows (with minimal silicone contact), and that has worked out fine. The silicone is not as "greasy" feeling as the material in the nasal mask.

Incidentally, I've had similar reactions to other materials; for example, jewelry and the tape they used in my sleep study. (When they removed the tape that secured the snore mic to my neck, there was a purple rectangular welt with the impression of a mic that lasted several days. The tape was pure torture from the moment it was placed on my neck, and I'm sure it's the reason I had nearly 50 awakenings and 60% Stage 1 sleep during my initial sleep study.)

[sleepngo]

If you apply Lanolin Hydroxy or Lansinoh to the affected area before downing your mask it will protect your skin from contact dermatitis and wind burn caused by a leaking mask. I have just recently started doing this when I developed a sore nare from using my OptiLife nasal pillows mask, it's lubricates and forms a film that's protects the skin that comes in contact with the mask cushion or nasal pillows. works great so far.

Dan