Allergic Reaction to C-Pac and MAsk

I have been having bouts of itching all over my body starting about a month after starting to use the c-pac. I have a full mask, which is new since a week ago. I have been thru 2 rounds of heavy steriods and creams each time it stops and I go back to using the c-pac every night the itching returns. It always starts in the back of the head and hair line. I thought it was an allergic reactions to something I had eaten or came in contact with. Now I think it's the c-pac. Can anyone give me some insite or information. has anyone else had this problem?

As you don't list your equipment and mask it's difficult to say, but if you have a neoprene strap on your mask, then that could be a culprit specifically even more than just your CPAP and mask in total.

Cheers,
xena

Since it starts and stops as you describe, it's pretty clear it's related to CPAP. The therapy is just air, so that's not it. That only leaves equipment; and, as Xena suggested, it's likely the headgear contacting bare skin at the back of your neck. Since the other parts of the headgear are "insulated" by hair, I'd bet keeping the strap away from your bare skin will help.

I would try putting a piece of knit T-shirt material between your skin and the strap(s) to see what that does. If it IS the neoprene against your bare skin, there are other permanent options (CPAPcap, Padacheek...).

Let us know how the experiment comes out.

Welcome.

Please fill in your equipment on your profile and we can help you better.

To rule out contact dermatitis or other skin reaction to materials, try wrapping the headgear strap with a cloth (If you use safety pins make certain they don't contact your skin) and close with large sewing stitches that are easily removed.

If your skin is reacting to heat that the body generates when plastic is next to it then the cloth will not change your reaction. If your skin is reacting to plastic/materials, and it gets better with the cloth then you'll know it's the materials.

If the iching is all over your body, you may need to ask your doctor if you can try an anti-anxiety medication.
It could get you over the hump if there is no specific allergy involved.