Rash on cheeks - caused by mask/headgear?

[Damun]

Hello all, this is my first post/topic here on CPAP talk.

I've been using a CPAP for little over a month now and i went to see my doctor today and my AHI index has dropped from 62 to some 3.3: WOW! Needless to say that i am VERY glad that i got a CPAP!

Since i found out that i have sleep-apnea i've been reading a lot on the topic and i have found a lot of answers here on CPAPTalk. Great forum!

Now to my problem: I have the Swift FX nasal pillow mask, and i am very happy with it. But lately i have been developing some redness on my cheeks, just below the eyes where part of the silicon headgear rests on the face. The redness only appeared after exposure to the sun and has now turned in to something rash-like with the skin being red, very dry and flaking - similar to a sunburn. It also burns a little bit. I asked my physician today about the problem but they never encountered it before - this is why i am posting this problem here. Hopefully some of you may have a "remedy" for this.

Thanks in advance.

Daniel

[DreamStalker]

I don't have the FX but if those straps are indeed silicone, you may want to wash with mild soap and water. When new, silicone parts are often dusted with a powder to keep them from sticking to the plastic packaging. Many have reported allergic reactions to that packaging powder. Washing usually takes care of the problem.

Good luck.

[Marietjie]

Hi Damun,

welcome to cpaptalk forum!
Damun, pads for your SwiftFX is a must have - read more - http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_SwiftFX.html

[elena88]

I had that same problem!

not anymore!

yes, check out padacheek.com, wonderful products!

and strap softies on ebay, I am using these now, and I love them! here are some in PINK!

http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAP-SOFTIES-CPAP- ... 45f34bffe5

and cpap.com carries a few strap covers too..

[brazospearl]

Welcome, and congratulations on getting great results so soon! Soak your mask in warm (not hot) water with just a drop of mild liquid soap in it for about 30 minutes. While it's soaking, order the padacheek or strap softies or something similar. Pay attention to what you use to clean your mask AND your face--some people have better results if they clean the mask every day and wash their face before they mask up at night. Others wash their masks much less frequently and go to sleep with moisturizers on. Sometimes the natural oils on your skin help the seal and provide a little protection against the possibility of developing skin problems. Sometimes they mess up the seal and react with the surface of the mask. Only way to tell is trial and error. Start fiddling and you'll find what works best for you!

[araminta]

For me, the fix was addressing 2 issues:
- padacheek protectors on the straps solved the problem of marks on my face from the pressure on the device from sleeping on my side
- padacheek protectors on my hose solved the problem of a rash on my upper cheek caused by condensation -- often referred to as "rainout" on this forum.

At least those 2 problems have been easily fixed. wish I could say the same about some other annoyances...

[Damun]

Thank you all on the responses .

Man, i am glad that i am not the only one with this problem.

So far i have only washed the mask in mild scent-free detergent - not the headgear. I'll give that i try as soon as possible.

I actually found out that the mask came with some "soft wraps" to put around the silicon part of the headgear - i just forgot about those. I'm gonna try out those too. However those "Pad-A-Cheeks" seem bigger and softer - that probably distributes the pressure on the cheeks so that you don't wake up with those pressure markings on the face. I think i might order some of theese aswell.

Now i'm using some hydrocortisone cream to get rid of the rash.

Once again, thanks to you all.

Best regards Daniel

[Marietjie]

Daniel, just found this - read more - (Skin irritation) - http://www.resmed.com/int/service_and_s ... c=patients

[Damun]

Daniel, just found this - read more - (Skin irritation) - http://www.resmed.com/int/service_and_s ... c=patients

Thanks for the link Marietjie.

[Damun]

BTW i just ordere some Pad-a-cheeks...

[Marietjie]

Thanks for the link Marietjie

You are welcome!

BTW i just ordere some Pad-a-cheeks...

-Wow, Daniel all the way from America to Denmark?
Fantasties!

[AnnD]

Hi there. I had a different problem with the Swift FX. I started getting fluid-y bags under my eyes. My doctor said it was probably caused by the straps that go across my cheeks. The straps were blocking the ability of the sinuses to drain properly. So I went back to the Swift LT, which sits lower on my cheeks, and the bags went away after about two nights.

[Joylinda]

I have worn a cpap mask daily for 5 years. I wash our masks (husband also wears one). Two or three weeks ago I began to notice dryness and redness on my chin. Now it is all around where my mask touches my face. I wear a full face mask and have done well with it. My lung specialist/sleep apnea doctor recommended hydrocortisone cream before putting on mask and on affected areas until it clears. I am not better and even got more area of rash, but am giving it a few more days. It has been 4 days and it is not to be used longer than 7 days per tube. In desperation last night after reading about cpap mask pads for this purpose, I devised a pad out of a washcloth by cutting it in the mask pad shape. I think the only hope is to keep the silicone mask from touching my face. I plan to improve my design and make it out of microfiber material. I am still hoping for complete recovery.