Mask BLISTERS!!!

[deglorious]

Well, the Quattro is giving me blisters on my face. I've been putting cortisone cream on them every morning after I wake up but now they are leaking fluid. I've even changed masks to a new one I had put away and it is still giving me blisters. What can I do????

The RT switched me to a Swift LT but I can't deal with the mouthbreathing problems! So I went back to the quattro. My pressure was recently increased to 14 from 8 and so I've had to tighten it up to diminish leaks and "farts" WHIle I sleep. The welts and blisters are much worse now.

Can anybody help me!!!????

Deglorious

[Pad A Cheek]

Hello Gloria,
I would be happy to try to help you.
PM me and I can give you more information about what I have available.

Karen

[imsleepynomore]

How tight is your mask .I found if I secure my mask too tight I will find red spots on my face the following morning and have even developed a blister from pressure. I try to leave my mask on with light contact but find the nights I bury my face into the pillow I will have a deep red spot where the edge of my mask hits my face. Hopefully Papacheeks has an answer

[deglorious]

Actually, my mask is just tight enough to keep it from leaking and "farting". I know not to have it too tight! I sent Karen a PM. Hopefully she has something for my cushion.

Deglorious

[Guest]

It is not friction. It is not excessive pressure. deglorious I bet the skin sores are at various places under the cushion that don't all directly relate to the amount of pressure applied to the face. You are allergic to at least one of the chemicals used to make the silicone cushion that is contacting your face. If you wash the cushion in your dishwasher a few times it will likely be less of a problem. The older the cushion gets the less chemical will degas from the cushion. There are threads about this on CPAPtalk. Cloth between the cushion and the face generally does not make much difference as gas passes right through. People that have a lot of trouble with this open a cushion bag 6 months before they use it and it usually causes no problems.

[deglorious]

The allergy issue crossed my mind. However, I used the Quattro (2 different ones) for over a year before I ever started getting these welts and blisters. Unless it is just a buildup of an allergic reaction. I will try putting milk of magnesia on my face tonight to see if it helps with the reaction I seem to get. It can't hurt to wash the mask in the dishwasher, though, with really hot water to sterilize it. Has anyone else ever washed their cushion in the dishwasher?

Deglorious

[GumbyCT]

I don't know about a dishwasher. My thinking is it would be too hot.

If it's not any of the other things - too tight, etc. then it has to be moving causing irritation of the skin. A rubbing action. Is it moving when you breath?

Try any of RG's panties? Just to keep the mask from moving around?

I'd be tempted to go back to the other mask until things healed.

[deglorious]

Hiya Gumby--thanks for your words of wisdom. I am not sure about Rested Girl's panties, though!!!! LOL You must elaborate on this for me. Also, the mask is tight enough not to move when I breathe because my pressure was increased to 14 and it blows harder than my 8 pressure.

Maybe the dishwasher is a little hot. I may try it on an old cushion just to see if it makes it. I have a few old ones I could toss in.

Right now I'm going to try Padacheeks advice of putting milk of magnesia on my face -- it certainly can't hurt any more than the blisters already do now.

Keep in touch...Deglorious

[ozij]

If its a response to a new mask, that may be reaction to pruduction residues on the silicone.


http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-dis ... hat.htm#63

We recommend using mild soapy water on a daily basis for optimal results for any of our masks. Avoid soap with moisturizers. Cushions tend to interact to natural facial oils, so be sure to wash your face each night before use. Your seal and comfort can be compromised if cushions acquire build up on the cushion surface. For those with sensitive skin, it is a good idea to soak ANY new mask you use for 30-60 minutes in mild soapy water.

This works for me.

Some masks - or mask parts - can't be soaked, so follow the instructions. And some masks are not dishwasher proof.

O.

[deglorious]

Hi Ozij. Thanks for your reply. I am very careful to wash my face every night and the mask cushion with dawn unscented or baby wash. I do not use any products like creams, etc. at night. That is why this is such a mystery to me...

I will be careful about putting the mask in the dishwasher. I plan on using a mask I no longer use as the gineapig (I think I spelled it wrong but oh well.) I did use the milk of magnesia on my face last night and it wasn't any worse, so that is a good thing. I'll try it again tonight and see if it's better tomorrow. Does anyone else use Milk of Magnesia on their face?

Deglorious

[ozij]

I guess I should have emphasised this part of the quote, which was actually the critical thing I wanted to refer to:

it is a good idea to soak ANY new mask you use for 30-60 minutes in mild soapy water.

The operative word is soak, washing is really not enough. If you're suddenly blistering in response to a new mask (even though its not a new model) I would soak any soakable part for 30-60 minutes. Soaking solved a "carpet burns on my face" reaction for me.

I'm glad you not worse today.
Birdshell uses Milk of Magnesia.

O.

[bdp522]

I use milk of magnesia nightly. It helps with mask irritation and protects my skin when I tape. I have also found that mylanta works just as well. Keep in mind that I use a VERY THIN coat. I put the MOM on, let it dry(takes a minute or 2) then give the area a quick wipe with a tissue to be sure all excess is gone. Works great for me.

Brenda

[deglorious]

Well, everywhere I applied the MOM did not welt up--just the areas where I didn't. So I think I'll keep trying it and see if these "racoon markings" (according to my hubdroid) go away. Thanks to everyone that posted. I appreciate your words of advice...

Deglorious

[FreemasonCyclist]

Do you clean your face and mask before you go to bed? When I first got my machine and mask I learned early on I need to clean my face and wipe the mask as well. The first week I had mine I started getting sores that almost turned to blisters. I learned I should clean my face and wipe my mask off right before I got to bed. I use Biore cleansing cloths on to cleanse my face and I use one on my mask as well. I also clean my mask and hose once or twice a month with warm soapy water and a vinegar solution. The Biore cleansing cloths wipe the oils from my skin and clean the silicon maks as well. I wipe my forehead, around my nose and below my nose/above my upper lip as well as the back of my neck. Basically anywhere the mask or head gear comes in contact with my face or neck. Ever since I have been doing this problem solved, have not had a sore form since.

If you do not like Biore there is Noxema brand as well as several others. You may not want to use a brand that has a high level of moisturizer in it, that may affect how well the mask seals around your face. You will also want to watch out for the ones with a lot of alcohol in them, they may dry your face too much. For me the Biore is not heavy on either and is a good balance of both.

By the way I am a guy and have no problem using something intended more for females. Also the skin on my face has never looked better.

[ozij]

Hi Ozij. Thanks for your reply. I am very careful to wash my face every night and the mask cushion with dawn unscented or baby wash. I do not use any products like creams, etc. at night. That is why this is such a mystery to me...

I will be careful about putting the mask in the dishwasher. I plan on using a mask I no longer use as the gineapig (I think I spelled it wrong but oh well.) I did use the milk of magnesia on my face last night and it wasn't any worse, so that is a good thing. I'll try it again tonight and see if it's better tomorrow. Does anyone else use Milk of Magnesia on their face?

Deglorious

Do you clean your face and mask before you go to bed?

O.