skin irritation

[ravbrian]

Hello. This is my first post. I've been using a CPAP for about 6 months. I use a full mask that covers my mouth and nose. Over the past few days I've noticed that the part of the bridge of my nose where the mask touches, has become inflamed, and is quite sensitive to the mask pressure. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if so, what suggestions you might have.

thanks,

Brian F

[Miss Emerita]

Welcome! I don't have the kind of mask you do, but I've seen posts from people who do well with putting a bit of moleskin on the tender area or with using a mask liner, if there's one available for you particular mask.

Speaking of which: could you put your machine and mask information in your signature block? That way it'll be there whenever people read your posts.

[Sheriff Buford]

I spent 10 years fighting the same issue as you have. Heck, the bridge of my nose was sore to touch. For me, I found that at night, I would push the top of the mask (the V part) above the knot on my nose, so the top of the mask rests on the area where the nose starts to come out of my face. Again, the mask does not need to be tight. You can't get a seal if it's too tight.

Sheriff

[Okie bipap]

When I first started I had the same problem. I actually wore some of the skin off my nose. I used a band aid on my nose until it healed. After that, I used a small piece of moleskin on my nose at night. You can find moleskin at Walmart or your local drug store in the foot care area.

[SleepGeek]

Several good suggestions above esp. moleskin. As a new user your skin will toughen up over time.

But the problem is when the mask moves with each breath ALL-Nite-Long.
So it will help for you to go to bed 30 min early and do a mask fitting each nite for awhile.
Esp. if you are using an auto cpap where the pressure will increase when you have events.

So figure out what your maximum pressure will be and set the cpap to that (or use the mask fit option) then adjust the straps (while in your sleeping position) each nite before bed.

Keep in mind as the pressure increases it puts more tension on the straps and each nite the straps will need a diff adjustment as they tend to stretch.