humidity causing mask irritation?

[cwsipe]

Hi All,
I've been a CPAP user for going on 10 years now and have not had any serious problems once i got over the initial bumps. I had been using a Fisher Paykel Sleep Style 600 for several years which has a heating coil in the house to prevent rainout. I never had a problem with any sort of irritation. After a new titration study, I decided to switch to a ResMed S8 machine in December. I initially had a major problem with rainout, but got a Snuggle Hose cover...this, in combination with keeping the hose under the covers with me, seems to have taken care of the water in the mask. Last month, I started to develop fairly major irritation around the bridge of my nose...it is getting to the point where it is really bothering me. I have used a Mirage Quattro with great success since the mask was introduced. I am having trouble believing that the fitting of the mask is the source of the problem--I have changed the tension on the straps (both tighter and looser) to no avail, though I've never had cause to change the way I wear the mask in the past several years. I think it has to do with the difference in the way humidity is delivered to me with the ResMed machine. Does anyone have any ideas how to combat this or what might be causing the problem?
Thanks so much for any help!

[KatieW]

Have you ever tried these:

http://www.remzzzs.com/products/full-face-sample

They are a soft cotton liner which would be between your mask and skin.

Or, could you turn your humidifier down a 1/2 notch? I find that when it's too high, my face perspires and then I get leaks and skin irritation.

[cwsipe]

Thanks for the reply, Katie. I have looked at those, but they are quite expensive--a monthly supply is around $25 or so! Maybe I should just get a trial pack and see if I can clear up the acute problem and worry about a longer term solution later.

[fidelfs]

NO, You can use them more than one night. I have been using them for at least 4-5 days each one.
So one package is for 4-5 month supply. The suggestion to use one per night is a sales gimmick to make you buy more often.

The material is like a cotton T-shirt, really smooth, you may even buy a T-shirt pure 100% cotton made in USA, and cut your own remzzz, to see if they work.
What you need to do is have the T-shirt in a table, put the mask on top and with a marker draw the outside of the mask on the T-shirt.
Cut the shape leaving some extra material probably between 1/4 to 1/2 inch more so it will be wider than the mask.
The you can cut the inside to leave room for your mouth and nose and that is it.

Try it, they are really nice. You have to be careful and use a little more pressure to have a seal. I didn't do that and one night I had a huge leak, and because there is no noise you don't know that is leaking. (That is the drawback to this.).

[gasp]

I think most people have better instincts about what is causing their problem and if you think it's the change in machine, it probably is. Does it deliver more humidity or is the water chamber made out of different material you may be allergic to?

Let's consider why only the bridge of your nose?

How old is your mask? I'm wondering if you are having a plastic breakdown which in turn irritates your skin? Do you use skin care products at night that come in contact with your mask, that are breaking down the plastic of the mask?