Need help with 2 subjects

ready2sleep · Post by **ready2sleep** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:41 pm

Im sorry because I know they have probably been mentioned on there but if you would indulge me, it would be a great help. (1) I have ezcema, I use my mask every night, however I seem to be paying for it in the morning. I am all broke out around where the mask is on my face, from my nose under my chin; any suggestions or help out there? I cannot use a nasal mask, I am a mouth breather; (2) I keep getting sinus headaches and infections, notwithstanding my allergies, this seems to be much more than usual since I am using the mask every night. Thanks in advance for all of your help, everyone!!!

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:07 pm

For your first question, I have the same problem. I use the CL2 and tape most of the time this way only my nares are red and rash covered. I love the hybrid mask but the redness and rash was just too much on a daily basis. I also use the optilife but the wings are digging into my cheeks and leaving nasty marks. So it's usually the CL2 and tape.

Brenda

mhacker · Post by **mhacker** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:28 pm

Can't help on number 1 but my experience with your second problem is this.

I have had bad sinus and allergy problems all my life (go figure my family nickname was "foghorn"). The doctor that actual figured out the OSA was my allergy specialist.

About 10 years ago I started with allergy injections and was actually cured with injected allegens. I just started having problems again the year. I had started my CPAP only last year.

I ended up with inner ear infections from the pressure pushing things from the sinus into that area. I started a new round of allergy tests and found out I got three new ones (and the old ones are still gone) - after a new round of injections and an antibiotic = good as new.

You might want to take your problem to a sinus specialist or allergy doctor. You really can not treat the apnea if you can not breathe to start with.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:32 am

I've been a mouth breather all my life due to constant nasal congestion. I am currently clear, and have discovered that I CAN wear a nasal interface and my mouth breathing has stopped. At least I think so. I don't have the data to suppor that YET, but I feel better. I'm using the NasalAireII and a chinstrap.

My pulmonary specialist has me on this cocktail - Claritin, Albuterol, Advair, and Flonase. You might need to go see a Pulmonary specialist and get your nose cleared up, since there really isn't anything you can do about reactive skin.

Good luck!
Barbara

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:39 am

Regarding problem #1, you might try talking with your dermatologist.
Washing your face well with a good antibacterial soap and making sure that your mask is also washed with the same soap might help as well.

I've had great success with a product called Roezit -seems to prevent the skin breakdown that can occur from the mask.

Good luck!

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:35 am

A possible solution for both #1 and #2, turn off your heated humidifier.

You might actually be getting a heat rash, and I recently found that my sinuses are clearer without the heated humidifier than with it. I use my humidifier as "passover". Every once in a while, if I get dry, I turn it on for a couple of hours.

Doesn't hurt to try.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 5:42 pm

[quote="Linda3032"]A possible solution for both #1 and #2, turn off your heated humidifier.

You might actually be getting a heat rash, and I recently found that my sinuses are clearer without the heated humidifier than with it. I use my humidifier as "passover". Every once in a while, if I get dry, I turn it on for a couple of hours.

Doesn't hurt to try.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier[
/quote]

Linda, you might have a good point with the humidifier, since running mine on # 1 setting I have less problems with allergies, congestion, etc. a few days of trial would tell how one feels. But then everyone is different, wouldn't this be an easy treatment if we all were the same and everything worked according to the desired treatment.
Ed

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:13 pm

ready2sleep wrote:Im sorry because I know they have probably been mentioned on there but if you would indulge me, it would be a great help. (1) I have ezcema, I use my mask every night, however I seem to be paying for it in the morning. I am all broke out around where the mask is on my face, from my nose under my chin; any suggestions or help out there? I cannot use a nasal mask, I am a mouth breather;

Okay...I'll try to tackle the skin issue. What type of eczema symptoms are you having? Is it severe, lingering redness? Possibly even crossing the line to being hives from the pressure of the mask on your face? I don't know if it will work for you or not, but I have pressure urticaria (hives), along with Dermographism. I had to switch from nasal pillow type mask when I switched to my VPAP Adapt (only limited mask work with it) last fall, which was a nightmare- masks, not the machine. I had to constantly rotate the few mask that work with it, sometimes halfway through the night, to prevent hives and welts that lead to skin pealing & weeping- not fun.

I started researching what I could do- switching machines wasn't an option, I'm doing so much better on the Adapt then BiPAP ST (severe CSA/CSDB). I came across a RECIPE using OTC NasalCrom nasal spray to make a cream to treat chronic urticaria/hives. Well, the cream aspect was out, so I got creative and used aloe vera distillate (looks like water- George's Aloe) as the base carrier, but I probably could have used distilled water just as easily. To that, I added the NasalCrom, with a ratio of 10 parts aloe distillate to 1 part NasalCrom, put it in a small spray bottle which I spray on my face just before putting my mask on at night. Viola- no more persistent redness or hives/welts- it also worked in other areas I'd been having problems with pressure related hives. I've been using the same mask for over a month without having to rotate- what a difference. The only time I've have any problems has been when I forget to use it, even if its just for a short nap. I probably should go back and figure out what the correct ratio is to make it a 0.5-1% cromolyn (active ingredient in NasalCrom), but I don't need to use NasalCrom any longer, as my doctor scripted me the form they use for nebulizers to make it easier & cheaper for me to make it.

Not sure if it would work or not, but figured I would mention it. Otherwise the best thing you can do is try to rotate mask, which doesn't sound like is much of an option with needing a FFM- they all pretty much hit the same areas.

ready2sleep · Post by **ready2sleep** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:36 pm

Thank you all so much for your help. This is why I love coming here, you are all so helpful and understanding. I will try the passover humidifier first, never really thought of that to be honest. I will try the nasalcrom as a last resort, but I truly do appreciate all of the help and suggestions you have given me. Keep them coming!!!!