I just got my machine this past Wednesday and after only 5 nights of use, my face is looking beet red, I'm getting zits, and my face is itching like mad! I have made another appointment to check the fit, mask, etc. and will see about a chin strap. I finally got the mask to adjust where it won't butcher my nose with skin nicks and bleeding and now this! Is it possible to have a mask allergy?
I was told to up the heat humidifier in the meantime and clean my mask daily with warm soapy water. I want so badly just to dig my fingernails into my face and scratch, scratch, scratch!!!! I use the one that is a comfort that covers both my nose and mouth. I do have a lot of drainage from allergies. Adjusting is hard! Thanks in advance for your input.
Red Itchy Face..Is This Common?
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Red Itchy Face..Is This Common?
Elizabeth
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jean19540_0
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:17 pm
- Location: nottingham uk
re, alergies!
yes you may well have a reaction to the mask. i've had a bloody nose & now my face is very sore, the technition said that i could also have a reaction, although it does'nt sound as bad as yours, can't say i could claw it, just sore & irritated. you must get back a.s.s,p., can't you just drop in i rang & asked if it was ok to pop-in, please do, they said, we must get things right.
please do that before it gets worse, or you won't be able to tolerate it, which will put you in unnessesary danger if your like me, you dont like bothering them, but thats what their there for
please do that before it gets worse, or you won't be able to tolerate it, which will put you in unnessesary danger if your like me, you dont like bothering them, but thats what their there for
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maskedmechanic
I just cut and pasted this from a cpap.com FAQ. It explains your situation and what to do about it.
Have you had any experiences with either cpap masks or pillows made from standard materials, like latex, causing an allergic reaction to the face or nose skin?
Latex is rarely used to make CPAP items because many people are either allergic to latex or develop an allergy to it after constant exposure. All of the top masks, Respironics Gel and Comfort Classic, Resmed Ultra Mirage and Mirage, the Fisher & Paykel Acclaim, as well as nasal pillows are all made of the silicone rubber.
The problem is that silicone rubber has some components that a few people out of a hundred are allergic to.
We have found that patients sensitive to these chemicals can use CPAP but must do one or both of the following.
1. A weeks washing of the mask will much reduce or eliminate its ability to cause a reaction. Over time the chemicals that are causing the reactions degrade and disperse, usually in a gaseous form. This process can be accelerated by long soaks in warm soapy water. This is true with all mask, nasal pillow and headgears. Some patients will need to soak these items even longer. This process works!
2. There are some cloth only headgears available for nasal pillows. These are often called into service for the most difficult cases. The metal and hard plastic Breeze system can also be used to good effect in this application.
3. New items should be bought before they are needed and soaked as above. Unlike normal CPAP masks, for people with rubber related allergies, the older the equipment, the better.
Have you had any experiences with either cpap masks or pillows made from standard materials, like latex, causing an allergic reaction to the face or nose skin?
Latex is rarely used to make CPAP items because many people are either allergic to latex or develop an allergy to it after constant exposure. All of the top masks, Respironics Gel and Comfort Classic, Resmed Ultra Mirage and Mirage, the Fisher & Paykel Acclaim, as well as nasal pillows are all made of the silicone rubber.
The problem is that silicone rubber has some components that a few people out of a hundred are allergic to.
We have found that patients sensitive to these chemicals can use CPAP but must do one or both of the following.
1. A weeks washing of the mask will much reduce or eliminate its ability to cause a reaction. Over time the chemicals that are causing the reactions degrade and disperse, usually in a gaseous form. This process can be accelerated by long soaks in warm soapy water. This is true with all mask, nasal pillow and headgears. Some patients will need to soak these items even longer. This process works!
2. There are some cloth only headgears available for nasal pillows. These are often called into service for the most difficult cases. The metal and hard plastic Breeze system can also be used to good effect in this application.
3. New items should be bought before they are needed and soaked as above. Unlike normal CPAP masks, for people with rubber related allergies, the older the equipment, the better.
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Allmusic
I too ran into a problem with itchness, but it was from my gel spacer from my mask on my forehead. I had it on too tight and it resulted in this little white pimples which ended up as little sores. I put some cream on them to help ease the mess I made and have the right tension on my head gear now so it's not so tight.
red itchy face
Hi I had that after using my mask for about a year, it was nasal aire II. I went to a dermatoligist and he said it was comimg from the plastic on the hose. I had to use the breeze pillows because nothing was touching my face. I have an RX ointment to put on The breeze worked for the rash but it keeped leaking. I went to a new sleep doc and he tested me again and I need to up the pressure so I will be going to get a new mask soon. The skin rash was called CONTACT DERMATITIS. MARY
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