Mask Dilemma - Sinus blowout versus Skin Breakout

[jucs]

Hi,

I am new to the board and new to Cpap.

I started with a full face mask since I was a mouth breather. The problem - the contact point on the bridge of my nose resulted in massive irriation and blocking of my pores. The result - a mine field of white heads across the bridge of my nose errupted every night. Pretty soon it was beat red and looked like I get hit in the nose after a a week.

So, I got switched to a Comfort Lite 2 with nasal pillows. With the exception of mucking with the leaking to get a good seal at night no major problems. Yet. Then, the sinus BLOWOUT feeling started to happen. Feels like my head is being blown up like a baloon the next day. A blocked left ear with wax (got removed by my doc) made the pressure thing even worse. But, I am still experiencing this "pressure" thing now.

So, I am calling on all the vets out there...what would be a good mask or strategy? I even tried just the nose covering pillow but again my skin started to get irritated.

Thanks!

[mdintx]

There are many things you can try to address this. One would be to try a different full face mask. In addition, there's one called the Hybrid which is a combo nasal pillow and oral cushion. You can go to cpap.com and there's a feature where you can enter your facial measurements and it will recommend what masks might work for you.

Skin irritation can be caused by having the mask too tight and/or having sensitive skin. Some try putting a barrier at the point of contact. This can be in the form of gentle paper tape, moleskin, fleece, etc.

Good luck!

[timbalionguy]

I use the hybrid, and like it very much, even though a more traditional FFM worked for me as well.

There is another FFM, called the 'fulllife' that does not have a nasal bridge in the normal sense. It is worth consideration.

Also, some more traditional FFM's with a nose bridge may contact your nose differently, and not cause you to break out.

Lastly, try thoroughly washing your face before donnong your current FFM. Removing a lot of the oils from your may prevent you from breaking out. It also makes for a better seal.

[jucs]

Thanks for the responses so far!

On the hybrid, I noted it didn't rate very high. Are there any others similar?

Or, other people who had skin irritations with a FFM who fixed it by (insert solution).

Thanks everyone!

No more feeling like I can doze off when driving home at night after 1 month of Cpap. That is a good sign I would think!

[Muse-Inc]

Love my RespCare Hybrid! Great mask for those who love pillows OR who can't handle nose masks or things that touch the bridge or forehead. Lots of us here like it or the ResMed Liberty which is also a hybrid-style mask (pillows and oral cushion). Make sure you wash the silicon parts daily, spray with vinegar to remove soap residues, let sit 1-2 mins, then rinse very well and let air dry. New mask parts should be soaked in soapy water for 30-40 mins to dissolve and remove the leftover residues from the manufacturing process.

I have really touchy skin and must wash with Dawn, then 7th Generation to remove the Dawn, then the vinegar or I get red blotchy skin and weepy blisters.

[raos]

I am a new cpap user as well. I am into my second week right now. I had a similar problem which is getting better now. I have a mask that makes a triangle over my nose. After the first night I got a major pimple on the bridge of my nose that ended up very red and inflamed. Then I got the same thing on the size of my nose. Finally I got one directly under my nose. The one on the side ended up turning into a giant open sore. After a week or so my face started to acclimate and now those 3 spots are healing finally. I had called my equipment provider and asked him if maybe I needed a different mask style. He said that it can often take your face a little time to get used to it. It has to toughen up a bit at first. Once you are part that point though you should be all good.

[OldLincoln]

After doing homework on Witch Hazel (WH) for pimple treatment I've added that to my regimen. First I wash twice with liquid detergent, then use a 1/4 sheet of paper towel, liberally dowse with WH and scrub. Seems to help retard the oil patch overnight and of course improves mask leakage.

As far as acclimating to the mask stopping the zits, I'd like to know when that starts because I've been at this over 2 years. Of course with my oily skin I get them outside the mask too, just not as many.

BTW, If used several times a day, WH works wonders on teenagers also. They can carry home made "wet wipes" in a baggy for school.

[Chaibolna]

HI guys

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Thanks











Volet piscine - Halieutique

[roster]

Here is a thread with some advice: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43776&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... irritation

But I have another concern.

I started with a full face mask since I was a mouth breather. .........
So, I got switched to a Comfort Lite 2 with nasal pillows.

When you switched from a FFM to nasal pillows, what did you do about your mouthbreathing? If you mouthbreathe using nasal pillows, you are likely to lose the therapeutic level of pressure and continue to have apneas.