These masks are destroying my face.. (rant - not helpful)

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:37 am

As the subject reads, my face is being destroyed. My skin is so easily irritated, I cant wear a FFM because it clogs my pores and I break out horribly. The hybrid has irritated the inside of my nose so badly, and now I have broken out right on the tip of my nose. The pillows are not fitting well anymore, and I have tried the small med and large and its the left side of my nose leaking, so I am going to have to think that its my nose and not the mask. I have now resorted to pulling a stocking down to touch the pillows and stop the leak but this has cause the breakout on the tip of my nose.

I cant use the swift II because I am the worst mouth breather ever, I just ordered the red strap from Tiara, don't remember the name, doesn't work at all.

I have been walking around looking at the floor all day, and my nose is so sore and red, this is horrible.

There is no way I will be able to use my bipap machine for 3 or 4 days now until this heals because it will only irritate it.

I know I am adjusting the mask too tight, but its really the only way it doesn't wake me up from a leak every hour. I am such a light sleeper, even on ambien, that the slightest leak wakes me up.

Not really looking for an answer here, I guess just venting that: if its not one thing its another. Combine the face issue, with being tired, with the IRS, and not liking my job.. well.. Its a good thing I don't live next to a bell tower

Hope your day is better than mine.

xyz · Post by **xyz** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:04 pm

> I am the worst mouth breather ever

Then you want to be certain to stay with either a FF or hybrid mask, which you have been using. Don't be tempted by a nasal mask.

> I cant wear a FFM because it clogs my pores and I break out horribly.

This could be some sort of allergy if you are washing your mask with a soap that you are allergic to. Use a "free and clear" soap on the cushion, wash it once a week, and rinse under warm water the other 6 days. Do not SoftSoap antibacterial if you have allergies.

Related to allergies, use distilled water in the humidifier.

> I know I am adjusting the mask too tight, but its really the only way it doesn't wake me up from a leak every hour

Mask leaks are a real pain. It takes a while to _really understand_ that there's an optimum point that is neither too tight nor too loose -- somewhere in between.

You must keep adjusting -- every night if necessary -- to find the right degree of tightness. When you find it, mark the position on the straps with an indeligible marker/Sharpie. When you get new headgear, or when you take it off to wash it, that gives you a starting point.

Another cause of leaks is an old cushion. They lose their "spring" after a while. Replace as necessary.

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:10 pm

Yes.. I am well aware of all of those things. Sprays, soaps, soaking, distilled, etc. Everything on that list is checked off.

Working on a solution now that involves a wet suit, fishbowl, garden hose, saran wrap, and duct tape.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose

damncows · Post by **damncows** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:37 pm

I have an allergy to respironics masks at least the older ones and sleepnet minime . tape your mouth and use your swift till you heal . then maybe try macks silicone putty havent tried it yet or nail polish might melt mask or glue fabric to anything that touches you.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:26 pm

Using Macks Sillicone Ear Plugs on the oral cushion of my Hybrid mask not only helps stop leaks, it means I don't have to tighten the mask as tightly.

Following Rooster's advice, I cut off the chin flap and now use one earplug to line my small cushion. It holds the mask in place when I roll around at night and changing the plug everyday seems to have prevented skin irritation. Some folks get four or five uses out of a single ear plug.

And like xyz said, replace the nasal pillows often. Did you know that you can cut the strip between the two pillows to use different sizes in combination?

Susan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:27 pm

You know I thought about making some sort of color, but I think this is a skin issue. The reason being that I got the same kind of break out on the very tip of my nose, and thats from the panty hose. I am definitely going to work something out with the swift for now. I read another post about using an ace bandage which is a great idea.

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:31 pm

Cover not Color. Its not the pillows, I got the leak when I was using the medium pillows, so I tried the small, got the same thing right out of the gate. Its really odd, since I have been using the hybrid for a month or two now.

I have interchanged the cushions, pillows, etc. Same problem, left side leaks out of my nose but stops with just the slightest pressure.

The mask itself leaks as well if I lie on my back or move, but thats another issue. My pressure is really high, that is part of the problem.

I have to save my experimentation for the weekends. Giving up on this machine isnt an option, so I will find a solution.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:11 pm

Have you spoken to a dermatologist, who might have an idea what to do, and/or be able to give you something or other to help?

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:38 pm

Last night I used apricot face scrub and shaved before bed. At the last minute my girlfriend told me we had an ace bandage, so I wanted to give that a shot. I put my swift II on and wrapped myself up like the invisible man, under my chin, and over my mouth, it worked really well to keep my mouth shut. It was also very soft and comfortable, I believe this is the way to go. It was snug but did not bite, it obviously took a little longer to put on, but no mouth leaks. What was odd is my HI was much higher than usual, my AHI was 10 and the AI was 1.2. I am exhausted today and fell asleep at my desk.

I am also on day 2 of quitting smoking so I guess that could be tied into the fatigue.

My nose is better so I will probably go back to the hybrid tonight.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:05 pm

Seriously, if I were you, I'd contemplate trying the Nasal Aire II. Why? Because I'm like you.

I have incredibly sensitive skin - without a cpap mask, I am covered in acne AND eczema. Add a silicone mask and straps to that and I'm miserable.

The NAII has been a life saver. I'm still struggling with chinstrap/mouth closure issues, but I'm getting there.

You can buy them pretty cheap on cpapauction.com. And I have an extra sizing star, if you want to use that to guage your nare size.

I have a big ol' tipsheet on it here:
cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

Good luck!
Babette

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:11 pm

WOW.. now that is either some serious love or some incredible shilling. I will go over that post piece by piece. You put some real effort in compiling all of that, so I'm thinking it deserves some investigation. Thanks

I have always had really soft sensitive skin. I have never had a problem with acne, but I get razor burn from shaving really bad etc.

Is there a mask that incorporates a bit type thing, like one of those boil mouth guards with nasal pillows? Did I see something like that or dream it?

Wolfmarsh · Post by **Wolfmarsh** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:51 am

I get horrible breakouts from my mask, so I just started a very strict cleaning routine on my face.

I still get the occasional zit where my mask sits around my mouth, but very few and far in between.

I have to clean my face, and use a acne medicine, both twice a day (morning and night).

Some of us are just greasier than others

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