What to do about opening mouth...which tape works?

[satsumass]

Hi,
I'm using swift nasal pillows, they are partially working but i have bad leak lines on my graphs (see other post)...to date a rugby style chin strap isn't enough for me as my lips open cuz i use pretty high pressures, my mouth is definitely dry in the morning i feel it and the leaks show, and my still very tired. I tried taping my mouth shut with some kind of medical tape i bought at walgreens, but it ended up ripping off my lip skin so its definitely not usable in the long term (and i dont feel like it was even super effective either, i was blowing air through it some how.

What are the best solutions. has anyone found a tape that works in the long term?

[dfennewald]

Have you considered a full face mask? Or a hybrid? The minute I told my specialist I sometimes sleep with my mouth open she put everything else away.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I like one inch Nexcare Transpore by 3M. It's got the right amount of stickiness for me. There are also little pores in it that allow any 'chipmonk cheek' air to dissipate slowly. To remove it in the AM, I just spread around some saliva and let it work into the tape while I clean my hoses etc. It comes off easy that way.

Some folks here like painters blue tape, but I find with my high humidifier setting that it gets too moist to stick and lets go in the middle of the night. I suggest avoiding duct tape and stuff like that. MUCH LATER EDIT: I think it sez Durapore on the outside label which you remove; then it sez Transpore on the tube inside of which the tape is wrapped around. I think I've even seen some packages labeled Micropore (paper tape?). Confusing for sure, don't know what's going on with 3M and their marketing dept. Sorry if anybody got crossed up.

[hopingitworks]

I use Micropore which is the paper tape often used to secure cotton balls to your skin after giving blood. It is also hypoallergenic, which some people have to use because of sensitivities to regular tape.

I haven't used any other tape so I can't comment on their use.

[kimbo]

I'm using 2" 3M medical paper tape right now, picked it up at Walgreens. It leaves some tape residue in the mornings. Plan to try Johnson Johnson Surgical Tape, read good things but it's expensive.

[chunkyfrog]

There are several choices--since faces are different, you may want to try more than one.
A cleaner face will contribute to stickiness, less clean, or oily skin will take some away.
I've used 3M blue painters tape for delicate surfaces, and the micropore tape, but now I use the J&J cloth tape.
People with very delicate skin may even apply a thin coating of Pepto-Bismol, and let dry before applying tape.
With practice, you can adjust the stickiness to suit you.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Plan to try Johnson Johnson Surgical Tape, read good things but it's expensive.

I tried JJ surgical tape, but it was too sticky for me. Rite Aid makes a house brand surgical tape that is about half as sticky as JJ. Luckily it plays nice around hair and skin, plus is about a third the cost.

[kaiasgram]

I use the CVS version of the 3M sensitive skin micropore tape. I also wash my face in the evening and use lotion after. This protects my skin and makes it easier to remove the tape in the a.m. I also do what SNO has suggested in other threads, putting the tape on your forearm once (or twice) to reduce some of the stickiness before you tape your mouth. Then, I use my other taping strategy shown here -- putting a piece of cotton fabric on the tape where it'll go over my lips. Minimizes how much skin is exposed to the adhesive and makes it much easier to remove, and protects my lips.


Edit: p.s., I also still use my chinstrap (fairly unobtrusive Sullivan I think), but instead of cinching it tight to do all the work of holding my mouth closed like I used to (ouch), I have it on pretty loosely just as "backup" and so the tape doesn't have to be industrial strength (!) to fight my mouth wanting to open. The combo has done the trick for me.

[lilly747]

Have you considered a full face mask? Or a hybrid? The minute I told my specialist I sometimes sleep with my mouth open she put everything else away.

I use the hybrid, Liberty, but my mouth stays open the whole time I sleep, and it is as dry as a bone in the morning. So the problems are still there for me....dry mouth and leaks and maybe higher FL too. I just bought J&J cloth tape. Going to try it tonight.

[morrigan]

I use the 2 inch paper tape from Walgreens and apply chapstick to my lips, then press them together before applying the tape. Comes off easily in the morning. Sometimes there is a sticky residue, but it is usually on my skin, not my lips.

My other tricks are to make sure the tape extends at least an inch on either side of my mouth (I apply it horizontally) so there are no leaks. I also fold down one of the edges about 1/2 inch so that it is easy to pull off in the morning.

Regards,
Morrigan

[idamtnboy]

Johnson & Johnson Hurt Free paper tape, 1" wide, works good for me. Better even than Curad Gentle paper tape.

[archangle]

Taping your mouth risks suffocation or other problems if the machine quits blowing and you don't wake up while wearing a nasal mask. You will be rebreathing your own exhaled air. Oxygen will decrease and CO2 will increase. This can cause you to sink deeper into unconsciousness and stop breathing. This is why all full face masks to have an anti-asphyxia valve.

Most people will wake up and be able to take the mask or tape off, but it's not a sure thing.

There is a risk of aspiration pneumonia if you vomit before you can get the tape off. Aspiration pneumonia is very bad. Google it.

Many people tape anyway despite the risks and have no problems. The risk may be small, but you'll probably be doing this for the rest of your life so risks add up.

[chunkyfrog]

Point taken; but until those rascals FINALLY make a full face mask that gives me the comfort
and fit I get with my current mask (as if!), I have NO CHOICE but to tape.
At least therapy gives me more time for all the good stuff, too.

[cosmo]

When I was using tape, I put chapstick on my lips and this athletic tape over it. But I'm using a chinstrap now.

[idamtnboy]

When I was using tape, I put chapstick on my lips and this athletic tape over it. But I'm using a chinstrap now.

I use a chin strap in addition to taping. The chin strap does a good job of keeping my jaws together but a poor job of keeping my lips closed tight!