Noob with a question

[EDNurseAngel]

I had my sleep study with the CPAP yesterday. I'm a nightshifter, so I came straight from work and did the test during the day. Today I have a line of zits down my face where the face mask was. I have very oily skin. The area is painful when palpated. I'm primarily a side sleeper, and it is the side that I spent most of the study sleeping on. Does anyone have any suggestions to keep this from happening after I get my machine next week.

I have severe apnea and stopped breathing 40 times per hour, so not using the machine is not an option, but I also don't want huge broken out areas on my face.

Any advice is appreciated.

[tektrek68]

You can request a nasal pillow mask, it wont touch any skin on your face

[KatieW]

Some suggestions:

- when I get a new mask, I soak the mask in soapy water for 1/2 hour, then spray with a 50/50 distilled water/vinegar solution, and rinse again, and air dry

- I use a PaPillow, so my mask hangs off the edge of the pillow, rather than sinking into a regular pillow

- some people like the RemZZZ's, which is a soft cotton liner between the mask and your skin

- I wash my face with gentle soap before bedtime, and also "scrub" with a facecloth

- and like the previous poster said, you could try different masks, that have less contact with your skin

Good luck.

[EDNurseAngel]

That might work. I did the study with a Mirage full face mask. I'm almost exclusively a nose breather, only breathing through my mouth when I have an upper respiratory infection. Might have to get used to have something shoved up my nose.

[Hueffenhardt]

I know that it was already mentioned, but I'll repeat it. RemZZZs (http://www.remzzzs.com/) are mask liners that would work great for soaking up excess facial oil.

[OutaSync]

I use the liner made by Karen at padacheek.com. It can be washed over and over. Just throw it in a lingerie bag in your washer with your regular wash. The Remzzzs are the same principal, but are intended as one use only and can be quite expensive over the long run.

[nanwilson]

Welcome
When I used the dme's mask I ended up with a lovely burn on my face where the mask sat. The tech told me it was from the strong disinfectants that they use to clean it after each use. When I got home with my own mask I tried remmzz but then bought padacheeks liner and I love it. It covers the mask perfectly and has a forehead piece attached. I just toss it in my lingerie bag and wash with the regular laundry. I am going to order another liner from Karen to have as a spare.
Good luck

[GumbyCT]

Welcome
When I used the dme's mask I ended up with a lovely burn on my face where the mask sat. The tech told me it was from the strong disinfectants that they use to clean it after each use. When I got home with my own mask I tried remmzz but then bought padacheeks liner and I love it. It covers the mask perfectly and has a forehead piece attached. I just toss it in my lingerie bag and wash with the regular laundry. I am going to order another liner from Karen to have as a spare.
Good luck

It prob was the disinfectants used on the mask.

ED - most of this is trial and error as what works for one doesn't work for all. But there are lots of ideas on this forum. Take the time to search and read.

Keep an eye out around work for things you can use to help you with this journey. Think outside the box.

Welcome to the BEST forum on the internet.

[ResMedUser]

I am the opposite I have very dry skin. The only advice I could give you is to wash your face everyday as well as your mask cushion everyday. You may have to go through a mask adjustment period (I did) where you will get a red bump on your nose, I just rode it out.

Also, consider getting formally tested for vitamin D deficiency. All the research is saying most Westerners are vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D supplements are documented as helping skin conditions. I found when I took 100,000 IU drisdol, red marks and a pressure sore I had from extremely tight straps went away. I cannot say it will do the same for you or that you are even vitamin D deficient to begin with, but you will only know if you get formally tested.

Mikey

[robysue]

That might work. I did the study with a Mirage full face mask. I'm almost exclusively a nose breather, only breathing through my mouth when I have an upper respiratory infection. Might have to get used to have something shoved up my nose.

Please be aware that when a nasal pillows masks is properly fitted, the pillows are NOT "shoved up your nose". Rather the pillows rest against the edge of your nares and it's just the tips of the cones that fit inside your nose.

However, many a DME seems to misguide OSA patients into thinking that the pillows have to be shoved up their noses.

For me, the sensation of something resting against my nostrils is much, much easier to tolerate than having anything covering my whole nose---let alone having to endure the kind of discomfort that ResMedUser talks about when he says:

You may have to go through a mask adjustment period (I did) where you will get a red bump on your nose, I just rode it out.

My own advice? If the FFM mask you used for the titration study caused an outbreak of acne and you're a nose breather anyway, there is NO GOOD REASON to consider anything BUT a nasal pillows mask---at least until you've actually put one on and seen whether it bothers you or not.

The mask is EVERYTHING: You owe it to yourself to start your therapy with a mask you THINK you can tolerate.

So TRY ON several nasal pillows masks at your full pressure when you're picking up your machine. Don't get stuck trying to make a FFM work when you already know you're going to have issues with it AND you already know mouth breathing is not likely to be much of a day-to-day problem.

[cflame1]

I agree with Roby EXCEPT... you might want to have a FFM on hand. Enough of us have gotten stuck sick, can't breathe out of your nose and can't get it clear no matter what you try.