Mask Irritating Bridge of Nose

[ericlhyman]

After the first night of CPAP with the Respironics Comfort Gel full face mask, the bridge of my nose has remained red and irritated all day. The DME fitted the mask for me. There are no other areas where the mask is giving me trouble. What adjustment to the mask would fix this? Is it too tight or am I putting the mask in the wrong place?

[granti55]

I have the same problem with that mask, but my leak rate is sure down, with the creases on my face and nose If you adjust that slider below the headband it will give you relief. Sorry misread your post mine is just a nasal mask. But it looks like there is a slider there from the picture. If not try loosing it just a little bit and monitor you leak rate.

Grant

[N6CRV]

Hello, I sure don't see how they came up with that name, as there is no Comfort to it. I started with the same mask also. I did find that a liner called remzzzs helped. I ended up making my own and they do work to a point. I was able to get a Flexfit 432 and it is better but still getting the sore nose. Good luck and I have heard it gets better with time.
Don

[Jason S.]

I have the same mask and suffered the nose bridge sore same as you. Had to stop CPAP for several days. Two things have helped.

1. I slid the expandable headrest to the middle position. It was on the shortest position. The longest extention produced massive leakage.

2. I suspect my nose has toughened up over the last two months. If I have a good night, with no leaks or mask adjustments, the nose will get red (because the mask stayed in the same spot all night). On nights where I have to lift and adjust the mask, the nose usually doesn't get red.

For some additional tips, see this thread:

viewtopic/t39060/SIMPLE-and-effective-f ... -sore.html

I recommended washing both your face and the mask nightly with warm soapy water. This has helped me keep a better seal and reduces sliding on the face when you move your head. Good luck!

[Eureka]

I sure do feel for you. As they say, been there, done that. I had the Respironics Fusion Nasal Mask. I was away from home for a month, and was on my own. It really chewed my nose up. But I stayed with it even tho my nose was red and inflamed all the time. When I got home my nephew told me about the Mirage Swift LT -- nothing on the nose at all. It is nasal only with the soft pillows. I bought it from cpap.com and just love it. I do use a chin strap to help keep my mouth closed. I started on this journey the first of January and am feeling so much better it's amazing. I'm 75 and going on 50.
There will probably be others checking in with you about this -- but the new mask was my solution and it worked. I hope you will stick with your therapy -- this is a whole nother world and we just have to learn our way around. I have found this forum to be a lifesaver.

[OCNorsk]

I have that mask, but I only used it a short while. I've been thinking of going back to it, so I just watched the DVD that came with it. They suggest putting mole skin on places that rub. Did you get the DVD with your mask? Did you do the boiling it and fitting it?

oops! Just rechecked, mine is the nasal mask. But they probably have the same fitting options. No?

[JimW203]

If you have not found it on your own, check out this current thread:
viewtopic/t39060/SIMPLE-and-effective-f ... -sore.html

That OP had a similar problem with a different mask, but his solution may have merit for you.

JimW203

[LinkC]

But they probably have the same fitting options. No?

No! The FF does NOT have the heat-moldable gel. Fortunately, boiling water won't hurt the gel on a FF, but it won't change the shape either. They claim the FF will mold itself to the contour of your face without the heat. (But then, my DME claims I'm getting a good deal, too... )

At the first sign of nose redness, I stick a strip of moleskin to the mask seal where it contacts my nose. About 1/4" wide by 1" long. Don't stick the moleskin to your nose at the sore point...it can take the reddened skin right off in the morning--making things a LOT worse. I know from experience!

[SuperGeeky]

You might want to consider CpapPro. You have to jump threw some hoops for it to work out. Either people hate it or love it. Once it works, it works well. Low leakage and comfortable. No face contact to speak of, personally I think it's pure genius.

You have to overcome the negative comments about it in order to try... Worth it to me

take care,

SG

[alnhwrd]

If you are having this problem, either the mask is the wrong size or it is adjusted too tight. For the first month I had a nasal mask I had lots of trouble getting adjusted just right, and opted to cinch it down because the leaks drove me nuts. When the irritation started I cut a piece of paper tape to fit the affected area, then a piece of moleskin on top of that. This arrangement worked, but was a real PITA to keep up every night. Finally I started using Mack's Silicone. I take a lump of the putty (available at Walgreens, Walmart, Rite-aid, etc) break it in half and roll it out between my hands into a rope about 1/8th inch thick. I do the same with the second half. I then place the ropes around the cushion to form a gasket. With a full face you will probably need two lumps. Butt the ends of the little ropes together to form a complete ring or gasket. Just put it on like normal and kind or smush it down on your face. This controls the leaks enough to allow you to loosen the mask and not get the red marks. It worked for me, maybe it will help you.

[!Tinkerbell!]

To Alnhwrd, Sounds like you might like the fabric gasket called RemZzzs, found online at that website name. It is comfortable, really reduces leaks for me & helps me stay asleep. I think it would be a whole lot LESS work than what you are doing now with the putty. Just an FYI.

[ww]

After the first night of CPAP with the Respironics Comfort Gel full face mask, the bridge of my nose has remained red and irritated all day. The DME fitted the mask for me. There are no other areas where the mask is giving me trouble. What adjustment to the mask would fix this? Is it too tight or am I putting the mask in the wrong place?

I am the wrong one to ask, because my experience is that they should not be named Comfort anything. The nasal comfort gel works fair if you can strap it really loose and let the air pressure hold it on. Works only when you lie on your back and the mask is so heavy that it slides off your face when you try to sleep on your side unless you can catch the edge of the mask on your pillow.

I can't see how the full faced version could possibly be comfortable as it must be so much heavier than the smaller nasal comfort gel.

Personally, I wound up with the ResMed Ultra Mirage in a small although the DME sent me a Medium that was too large and let air escape into my eyes. I am convinced that this is the best full face mask made. My head is fairly large and the idea of a small didn't seem right. Also, the adjustment on the forehead pad would not fit until the mask was beyond the last notch and caused it to lay on my nose, which was uncomfortable, but was easily solved with a small piece of moleskin, which I put on the bridge of my nose every night and sleep with minimal leaks no matter which way I toss and turn. Now try that on a Comfortgel full face mask!

I would try the moleskin on the bridge of the nose with your mask and try fitting it to your face by heating in very warm water before I gave up on it.

[ericlhyman]

Update: DME told me to adjust the nose bridge setting on the "ComfortGel FF" from the one that their own tech had set for me. When I did, there was so much noise from air leaks that I had to return to the original nose bridge setting (I'm a side sleeper). I then put some vitamin E on the nose bridge and covered it with padded bandage tape that comes in a roll. That did help a bit. However, DME has agreed to let me swap for the Hybrid Mask so I will give that a try.

[zebrajeb]

Been there - a lot. I've tried everything suggested and all seem to work - for a time period. But tape irritates skin as well asn continued pressure on the bridge of the nose can be a problem - especially for one who wears glasses like me. My solution has been to us a Liberty mask - nasal pillows with mouth cushion. Works as a full face mask but uses nasal pillows so doesn't cover bridge of the nose. Has worked well for me. The Hybrid mask is similar. Maybe something like that would work for you as well.

Just my experience.

John