Increase in apnea with full face mask & contact dermatitis

[Nashpap]

I've been on a CPAP for 6 months now. I'm having 2 problems that have started to wear me down- an increase in apnea with a full face mask and tons of problems with masks causing skin problems. I am starting to feel pretty frustrated and I cannot afford to keep switching masks and seeing my doctor constantly. I use an Enon with a humidifier, heated tubing and auto adjust for pressure.

My nose was turning red and having localized infections near the side of my nose. I started using a pad-a-cheek liner, which helped but I still had some redness and my equipment supplier said it wasn't because of the mask being too tight. They told me to see the doctor.

While I was at the doctor I also shared some other troubles I was having: feeling tired and had nodded of twice at stop light, occasionally blowing some air out of my mouth and some nasal congestion sometimes. He suggested that I go to a full face mask and was no help with the skin issues. I got the Simplus mask. It has been a few weeks now. Well, this week, I nodded off at a luncheon. I have to start taking charge of my situation. Karen at Pad-A-Cheek suggested I might get some help here.

I read about Sleepyhead, got it and reviewed my data. I learned that my apnea events were 0-5 and a one-time rate of 9 from November-mid April (using a nose mask - Wisp and Eson). They were at 7 an hour at my initial sleep study. Since I've used the Simplus full face mask, it immediately increased my apnea events dramatically. My highest rate was 176!!! There was a slight increase in leakage too. So why would a full face mask do this? Last night, I tried my old Eson mask, a chin strap and mouth guard and I had zero events.

History from the last 6 months:
At first, I loved my CPAP. I immediately could tell the difference in how I felt in the morning. I'd feel great even if I slept only 5 or 6 hours. I used a Wisp nasal mask and liked it because it was comfortable and I could wear my glasses over it and read before I went to sleep. Then I started having the redness on my nose and 2 problems with the same spot near my nose getting infected even though I washed my face and the cushion regularly. I started to think I might be allergic. My equipment supplier suggested trying a different mask.

First I tried a nasal pillow but it turned the inside of my nose red and I had constant troubles with nosebleeds that would not stop. So I switched to the Eson. It is okay. I don't like that I can't wear my glasses over it. I still had problems with red skin and then I got another infection in the same place as the other 2.

I found this forum and read about Pad-A-Cheek. The liner I got prevented the infections but I still got some redness. It isn't quite as bad. I was very hesitant about the full face mask because of all the troubles I've had with my skin.

The Simplus also turns my nose red and the area next to my nose red. I've been using a thin cloth under it until I get a liner. It has not turned the skin area around my mouth red yet. I haven't had infections yet but the bridge of my nose was red all day Thursday and felt a little bruised. My mask isn't too tight.

I saw my dermatologist last week and he said my skin problem was contact dermatitis not an allergy. He offered no help except for saying that it is caused by the skin not being able to breath. Besides keeping the mask and my face clean, he suggested said that I should just not use the mask if I get an infection. The infected area just shows up over night so it isn't like I can see that it is coming & take a break. So, he isn't very much help with this problem either.

Any one in Nashville? I’d also appreciate a private message if you know any spectacular suppliers and doctors in case I decide to switch.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I've been on a CPAP for 6 months now. I'm having 2 problems that have started to wear me down- an increase in apnea with a full face mask and tons of problems with masks causing skin problems. I am starting to feel pretty frustrated and I cannot afford to keep switching masks and seeing my doctor constantly. I use an Enon with a humidifier, heated tubing and auto adjust for pressure.

My nose was turning red and having localized infections near the side of my nose. I started using a pad-a-cheek liner, which helped but I still had some redness and my equipment supplier said it wasn't because of the mask being too tight. They told me to see the doctor.

While I was at the doctor I also shared some other troubles I was having: feeling tired and had nodded of twice at stop light, occasionally blowing some air out of my mouth and some nasal congestion sometimes. He suggested that I go to a full face mask and was no help with the skin issues. I got the Simplus mask. It has been a few weeks now. Well, this week, I nodded off at a luncheon. I have to start taking charge of my situation. Karen at Pad-A-Cheek suggested I might get some help here.

I read about Sleepyhead, got it and reviewed my data. I learned that my apnea events were 0-5 and a one-time rate of 9 from November-mid April (using a nose mask - Wisp and Eson). They were at 7 an hour at my initial sleep study. Since I've used the Simplus full face mask, it immediately increased my apnea events dramatically. My highest rate was 176!!! There was a slight increase in leakage too. So why would a full face mask do this? Last night, I tried my old Eson mask, a chin strap and mouth guard and I had zero events.

History from the last 6 months:
At first, I loved my CPAP. I immediately could tell the difference in how I felt in the morning. I'd feel great even if I slept only 5 or 6 hours. I used a Wisp nasal mask and liked it because it was comfortable and I could wear my glasses over it and read before I went to sleep. Then I started having the redness on my nose and 2 problems with the same spot near my nose getting infected even though I washed my face and the cushion regularly. I started to think I might be allergic. My equipment supplier suggested trying a different mask.

First I tried a nasal pillow but it turned the inside of my nose red and I had constant troubles with nosebleeds that would not stop. So I switched to the Eson. It is okay. I don't like that I can't wear my glasses over it. I still had problems with red skin and then I got another infection in the same place as the other 2.

I found this forum and read about Pad-A-Cheek. The liner I got prevented the infections but I still got some redness. It isn't quite as bad. I was very hesitant about the full face mask because of all the troubles I've had with my skin.

The Simplus also turns my nose red and the area next to my nose red. I've been using a thin cloth under it until I get a liner. It has not turned the skin area around my mouth red yet. I haven't had infections yet but the bridge of my nose was red all day Thursday and felt a little bruised. My mask isn't too tight.

I saw my dermatologist last week and he said my skin problem was contact dermatitis not an allergy. He offered no help except for saying that it is caused by the skin not being able to breath. Besides keeping the mask and my face clean, he suggested said that I should just not use the mask if I get an infection. The infected area just shows up over night so it isn't like I can see that it is coming & take a break. So, he isn't very much help with this problem either.

Any one in Nashville? I’d also appreciate a private message if you know any spectacular suppliers and doctors in case I decide to switch.

BUMP: I get some redness from time to time around my mask but a bit of Lansinoh on my skin seems to help plus a lot of face washing with a mild soap. If you're using Padacheek you can touch up the microfleece nightly and remove germs with a little rubbing alcohol... let it dry before putting it on. That's about all I've got, sorry.

[rosacer]

Hi Nashpap

I started having redness around the nostrils. I went to see a skin specialist and she gave me some cortisone cream telling it was the humidity from the mask. She was 100% wrong, the problem was just the opposite and the pressure the cushions makes against the entrance of the nostrils.

I started using Spectro E-Care

Spectro E-Care™ Intense Re-hydration Cream is specially formulated to replenish the skin's natural moisture barrier, and protect from environmental stressors that cause dry skin. Gentle, soothing formula is ideal for sensitive skin
Relieves itching and reduces redness due to dry, cracked skin
Clinically proven
Irritant free
Fragrance & colour free
Non-greasy
Non-medicated, cortisone-free
Received the seal of Acceptance from the Eczema Society of Canada

A couple of weeks after starting that cream the redness and itching started to be controlled, I use it every day now and the skin is not bad at all. I don't know if you can buy it in USA but if not, try to find a good hydrating cream for excema, the Dr talk about excema but she didn't prescribed the good product for it.

My skin was so bad that I stopped using my nasal pillows for several months, now I use it again without problem if I be consistent with the E-care use.

All the best

Rosie

[Nashpap]

Thanks Rosie. They say not to use creams with the cushions but I guess the liners will protect the cushion. I will try something to hydrate and see if it helps. My doctor gave me a cortisone creme too. I'm not a fan of steroids long-term so I did not fill it.

[BlackSpinner]

Thanks Rosie. They say not to use creams with the cushions but I guess the liners will protect the cushion. I will try something to hydrate and see if it helps. My doctor gave me a cortisone creme too. I'm not a fan of steroids long-term so I did not fill it.

In general most creams are made with petroleum products which break down the mask. Once you have the problem under control you can use a lanolin based based product that you can find in the baby aisle. It is used as a nipple cream by breast feeding mothers so it is totally safe. Lanihsol (?) I can never remember the spelling of the product.

[purple]

Might it be that you are sensitive/allergic to silicon?

I know you do not need more people suggesting ways to spend money, but Tap Pap mask, or Sleep Weaver or Oral Mask.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... roved.html

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/cloth-cushion.php

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... -mask.html

[purple]

Forgot to mention, those who recommend strong soaps, hot water and fierce scrubbing to stop dermatitis might be 180 degrees off. The little varmints get in through breaks in the skin.

Water boardering on cool, soaps with emollients, and then, in my case, every morning, I shave, shower wash my face with a body wash (any bar of soap can have bacteria hiding on it, in the cracks) Then before I dry my face, I put oil on top. During the day, if I think of it, I would put Sunscreen on my face, it has Zinc in it, which bacteria hate.

One can also take oral things to boost ones immune system, Like garlic capsules, zinc, colloidal silver, Oregano capsules, Zinc has a toxic level though.