My mask keeps leaking...HELP!

[jlederer]

I have used this full face (must be full faced) mask for a month now.
For the most part, it has worked fine...but lately; it leaks no matter
what position I lay in...even flat on my back.

I wash it daily too...it drives me crazy & I can't sleep because of the "whissshing" noise it constantly makes. Yes, I have tried tightening the straps...re-positioning the mask...nothing works.

Strange thing is; it worked great for a few weeks! Now...leaks almost every night.
I will say this, the first time I washed the thin plastic CLEAR gasket/seal (the one that rests on your face), I washed it in very hot water & let it soak.

After this washing...the CLEAR plastic turned to cloudy. I since have used only cold water, but the gasket is still cloudy...I have no idea if this has anything to do with the leaks.

Another possible cause could be my fault: I don't always wash my face before bed. I sometimes take my shower in the morning, rather than just before bed.
Should I wash my face each night (I DO have oily skin)?

Regards,
John

[nosbig17]

YES!!

[nomoore]

The cloudiness is normal. It shouldn't have an effect on the seal. You SHOULD be washing your face and mask seal every night. It DOES help it to seal better.

Did the leaking start right after you washed it in the very hot water? If so what mask do you have? Some masks are designed so you can form it to your face. How? Basically, by soaking it in very hot water and then pressing it against your face. If you have one of these masks then you might be able to re-form it to your face. Someone else might have the more specific details of the correct procedure.

[elader]

I have to wash my face each night or the Quattro slips and slides around. I also wash the mask skirt frequently. With a ff mask, changing from side to back reshapes your face somewhat -. I always leak when on my back. I never experienced these kinds of changes with a nasal mask.

[Wulfman]

I have used this full face (must be full faced) mask for a month now.
For the most part, it has worked fine...but lately; it leaks no matter
what position I lay in...even flat on my back.

I wash it daily too...it drives me crazy & I can't sleep because of the "whissshing" noise it constantly makes. Yes, I have tried tightening the straps...re-positioning the mask...nothing works.

Strange thing is; it worked great for a few weeks! Now...leaks almost every night.
I will say this, the first time I washed the thin plastic CLEAR gasket/seal (the one that rests on your face), I washed it in very hot water & let it soak.

After this washing...the CLEAR plastic turned to cloudy. I since have used only cold water, but the gasket is still cloudy...I have no idea if this has anything to do with the leaks.

Another possible cause could be my fault: I don't always wash my face before bed. I sometimes take my shower in the morning, rather than just before bed.
Should I wash my face each night (I DO have oily skin)?

Regards,
John

WHICH MASK??? (need to know exactly)

(Sounds like it's a ResMed Quattro)


Den

[Babette]

Try a different mask. Why are you wearing a full face? Might be a nasal-only mask would work fine for you. But you won't know until you try. I tried 8 masks in 6 weeks before I found one that I wouldn't leak and keep me up all night.

See the links below in my signature line for some FREE mask test drives currently going on for a variety of masks.

Cheers,
Barbara

[Guest]

I have to wear a full face mask, because I do sleep with my mouth open a lot.
I am assuming a nasal mask wouldn't work for me because of this. I will begin washing
my face (& the mask-seal) before bed every night from now on.

Regards,
John

[Wulfman]

I have to wear a full face mask, because I do sleep with my mouth open a lot.
I am assuming a nasal mask wouldn't work for me because of this. I will begin washing
my face (& the mask-seal) before bed every night from now on.

Regards,
John

WHICH MASK???

If it's the ResMed Quattro, they are notorious for leaking around the elbow in the front of the mask.....and needs to be pulled apart and wrap Teflon tape around the ends and then put back together......that will stop the leaking.

Den

[Jason S.]

I have to wash my face each night or the Quattro slips and slides around. I also wash the mask skirt frequently. With a ff mask, changing from side to back reshapes your face somewhat -. I always leak when on my back. I never experienced these kinds of changes with a nasal mask.

Elader, washing the face is a simple but great tip. I believe its been effective in giving me good fits and less leakage on seeral nights. Now, do you happen to have another tip to overcome laziness?

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I slept with my mouth open in the beginning and found out that a chin strap esentially stopped this and allowed me to use a nasal mask.