Hello & a couple newbie questions

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:28 am

Hi all, I am a 47 year old retired Marine that was too stubborn to get checked out until my wife started wearing earplugs to bed! I have been using CPAP for 2 weeks and have a couple questions.

I have already tried 3 masks and have another on the way. The hospital gave me a Swift II which is comfy enough, but worthless for the type of side sleeping I do. The home health care guy brought me a flexi-fit which solved the side sleeping issue, but after 2 nights I woke up with 2 nasty "welts" on my forehead. They eventually got pimple-like and were painful. Thought maybe an allergy so he then brought me comfort classic and I love(d) it! Now after 7 nights using the mask I woke up with a bad welt/blistery sore again. The gel pad is different than the comfort's 2 silicone type pads so I don't know what's up? Contact dermatitis/allergy or just plain rubbing? The mask wasn't very tight and why after 7 nights?

So, I had to use the swift II again last night and at 0330 ripped it off because of the sleeping position restriction. I ordered a Swift LT out of my own pocket and hope that's the ticket!

Thanks in advance for any insight.

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:46 am

You could try some tape or moleskin on the affected area at night, and neosporin or hydrocortisone cream during the day. Or go to http://www.padacheeks.com and see about getting a soft fleece strap or protector made to go between your skin and the mask. If you don't see what you need, e-mail Karen what you want, she can probably make you what you need. Then there are those people who rotate their masks every few nights to let the affected areas heal. Hope this helps.

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:15 am

What type of side sleeping are you talking about. Restless? Tossing and turning? And what happens with the Swift?

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:33 am

[quote="Bonnie"]What type of side sleeping are you talking about. Restless? Tossing and turning? And what happens with the Swift?

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:46 am

I hope the LT works for you too.

Also consider getting yourself a soft/thick head band underneath for extra padding ... that may help if the welts are only occurring on your forehead.

Good luck!

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:47 am

i couldn't stand the original swift, as i'm a side sleeper also; i haven't tried the new version, though i imagine there have been improvements made to accommodate side sleeping

did you check into any other nasal pillow interfaces? the 'headrest' gets my vote, every time

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:51 am

As to the reaction you're having to the masks, are you making sure to soak the new masks in shampoo (or mild soap) and water for at least a half hour before using them? If I don't do that with each new mask (and I usuall soak them at least a couple hours), my skin reacts terribly to the places where the masks maintain the most contact with the skin.

Peggy

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:54 am

i forgot to address the skin thing

when i first started, i was using a nasal mask...i would get a pressure sore within 3 days! every time i tried something new, bam! pressure sore...so i switched to nasal pillows and no longer have that problem...maybe your skin is just super sensitive...mine is also very oily and that causes mask slippage that i'm not even aware of, so could be the cause of the rubbing

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:57 am

pjwalman wrote:As to the reaction you're having to the masks, are you making sure to soak the new masks in shampoo (or mild soap) and water for at least a half hour before using them? If I don't do that with each new mask (and I usuall soak them at least a couple hours), my skin reacts terribly to the places where the masks maintain the most contact with the skin.

Peggy

I didn't soak the little Gel pad that long, but I washed it with dawn and distilled water first. The first 6 nights went beautifully and that puzzled me? The nasal part of the mask did not irritate me at all, only the little rectangular gel pad against the forehead. Weird.

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:02 am

I hear ya. Been there, done that. We all concentrate on the mask part and don't think about the forehead pad, but it's a material that for some will cause sensitivity. I had a little red square on my forehead and a lovely pear-shaped irritation on my face for over a week after my first mask encounter. Since starting to soak each mask before even letting it touch my face, I've not had a problem to that extent. Of course it does nothing to help with the face divets , but it will help with the skin irritation.

And like Sharon said, you can just slip a little piece of fabric under it to shield your skin from the contact with the offending material. (Sorry to keep saying "material", but I don't know if it's plastic or silicone or what in the heck it is.)

Peggy

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:39 am

Check to see if Pad-a-Cheek has something to cover the offending part. If she doesn't she sure will try and design something. Her products are great. She's a forum member and a cpap user herself. She has a web site but I can't remember it offhand, sorry.

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:31 pm

Here are the 2 offending masks. The first one had 2 pads made of silicone?
The 2nd mask has a super-soft "gel" pad and while better ended up irritating as well.

I think I actually like my swift II better for comfort, but worthless for my sleep style. I sure hope the LT is the ticket! Thanks so much for the info thus far.

tashabear · Post by **tashabear** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:47 pm

I got pimples under my mask as well. The respiratory therapist suggested that I use a toner like witch hazel before going to bed. I do that sometimes, and sometimes I wipe my face and mask with a plain baby wipe (in addition to washing my face). A little scrap of fabric (maybe a bit of old sweatshirt or towel?) between your face and the forehead pad can't hurt, either.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:31 pm

tashabear wrote:I got pimples under my mask as well. The respiratory therapist suggested that I use a toner like witch hazel before going to bed. I do that sometimes, and sometimes I wipe my face and mask with a plain baby wipe (in addition to washing my face). A little scrap of fabric (maybe a bit of old sweatshirt or towel?) between your face and the forehead pad can't hurt, either.

you mean like one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Port-Authority-St ... 761&sr=1-1

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:09 pm

Since I simply can't make it through the night with the Swift II, I removed the little Gel pad from the nasal mask and replaced it with a piece of soft cotton t-shirt. It doesn't really touch my head and seems to be plenty snug without doing so. I'll be tickled if it works!