WANTED: A FFM that doesn't leave a red stripe

[ka-ann]

I have tried 3 FFM's I like them all but all three leave a big red stripe across the bridge of my nose and make it a little sore. Has anyone found one that doesn't? Or will this stop after I wear it longer? I wore the Ultra Mirage FFM for 2 weeks and it left a big place every morning on my nose that was really sore. I went to the Forma and it was some better but leaked a lot. I am now using the ComfortGel FFM and it is leaving a red mark about a half inch wide every morning. My numbers are great with it and very little leaking but the stripe is very noticeable and doesn't go away for hours. It even shows through make up! I do not have the mask on tight at all. I have checked it thoroughly to make sure it is adjusted like it should be. My skin is pretty fair so maybe it is because of that.
Do I just need to give it more time? Try another mask? I am not sure what to do next.
Thanks for your help!
Karen

[Jaylee]

Mine did that for the first month or so then it stopped. I figured it might be the newness of the mask, because my backup mask does the same thing on the rare occasion that I need to wear it.

[roster]

http://www.mergenetsolutions.com/hybrid/

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

Works nearly flawlessly for me.

[cpapper]

I use the Mirage Quattro, which has a dial for forehead support...it reduces pressure on the bridge of the nose, as it can be adjusted by turning the dial after you have it in place, at least it did for me. I rarely have a red mark on the bridge of my nose. Before using this full face mask, I used nasal masks. Good luck, I hope you find a mask that works for you.

[jnk]

Instructions: Take off the mask before drinking.

[ka-ann]

At least then I would be feeling no pain and not caring about the "red stripe"!!

[jnk]

We tend to wear our masks too tight when starting out. Many need to be loose enough to be able to inflate the seal so that only the seal is touching your nose. The masks with a forehead pad and angle adjustment that is right for you sometimes help. Sometimes a particular brand of mask just works for your individual face for some reason even though it doesn't look all that different from another brand. So don't give up on trying other masks and experimenting.

It may help to soak the mask seal for a few hours in a very weak water solution of whatever you use to wash your face if the problem is skin irritation more than pressure.

[carbonman]

I am not sure what to do next.
Thanks for your help!
Karen

You might try these.
The silicone was irritating my face.
After using these for a couple of mths, the marks are almost gone.
Plus, it makes the mask much more comfortable.

http://www.remzzzs.com/pages/instructions

[ghoundgirl]

I really like my F & P 431. It's the only one that was comfortable. Might be worth a try, if you haven't tried it.

[wjp]

I agree with the earlier post, give the Hybrid ( my favorite ) or the Liberty a try.

Full face mask with nothing resting on the bridge of the nose.

In my experience the sore red spot just kept getting worse.

[Komodo]

The only two masks that haven't hurt my nose are the Mirage Quattro FFM, and the Comfortgel nasal.

[JennyE]

I'm stuck on the UltraMirage ffm. I tried on others, but the forehead get pads work best for me. There is no part of the mask able to create a groove in the nose. That's what I like best about the mirages--they don't rest on the bridge of the nose. My very early masks were so painful I dreaded putting them on.

[RoninHouston]

Don't know there is one, maybe a Total Face Mask. JNK gave some good advice.

I am have used the Quattro since early February, my first mask as I am new to CPAP. After my sleep test my nose bridge was red with a dent. Knowing I was going to have a problem I searched here. I decided to use a lanolin, LANTISEPTIC from the start. It is a Skin Proctectant used for patients with bed sores.

I use it every night before putting on the mask and every morning after shaving. It kept me from getting a sore on my nose bridge and treats the sore spot already irritated. Buy it in the drug store, no prescription needed but it maybe kept behind the counter, mine was.

JNK gave excellent advice on adjusting the Quattro. I found a properly adjusted forehead dial will keep the mask from pressing my nose bridge along with loosing up on the top straps. The Quattro is correct adjusted when it floats on your face like an air cushion rather than strapped so tight as to press against it. This mask needs to be adjusted with pressure to activate the cushion effect. Also if the mask is too high on your nose it may/will press your nose bridge.

After a week or so, no red stripe. I think I adjusted it correctly, but my skin may have toughen up. Have been compliant 45 consecutive days with the Quattro.

Best of Luck

[BlackSpinner]

I reacted to my quatro the first night like I was burnt, not on the nose but beside the nose under my eyes. Now when I wear it I put a piece of cotton knit between it and my skin. Made it from an old pair of panties Just lay the mask on, cut out around it. cut a small hole and try it on, each time cutting the hole a bit bigger until it fits. Make a template of it and use that to cut more of them.