Mask Irritation

After 3 years on xpap, I have always had trouble with skin irritation from the masks. I generally switch from one mask to another on a very regular basis. I really like the way the comfort lite 2 fits. And, now that I have modiied it a bit it fits and seals really well and is most comfortable to sleep in. The only mask problem I have left is the skin irritation on my face. This time, it's the bridge of my nose but, it's always something. Is there anything you guys know about that really helps with this sort of thing? Or, is switching masks about the best solution?

Joey

My CL2 doesn't even come near the bridge of my nose. Are ypou sure you're wearing it correctly?

Brenda

I had same problem with my skin being irritated from my full mask.

I contacted my Doc and he gave me some sample creams to try.

Aquaphor worked for me. It's somewhat greasy but a small amount places on my face where mask contacts keeps the irritation away. Each night I use a disinfectant wipe on the mask and one on my face prior to applying the Aquaphor cream. It even aids somewhat in sealing the mask.

But before you do anything contact the Doc to make sure he recommends something that both you and your mask can withstand.

Brenda,

I had the RT from my DME fit it so I am hoping I am wearing it properly. It does not press hard, the light outer seal material touches the top of my nose, what I think of as the bridge. I am thinking I should maybe try the nasal pillow interface, now to figure out what the correct size would be.

A1KIWI,

I was told that I should never have any moisturizer or anything of any kind on my skin at night, when wearing a xpap mask. The DME told me that it would ruin the mask. I have always wondered about this caution but never had anyone else to ask before . Are there safe things that are allowable to put on the skin when wearing the masks? What kinds of things can masks withstand? The doc I have knows less than me about xpap, and I don't know much I am planning on trying a new doc, again, I've been thru 3 so far . Actually I have not really tried to discuss the xpap treatment in depth with this most recent doc, I think I just kind of gave up on it and had other issues that were much too pressing that needed attention.

Thanks for the reponses! I really appreciate it.

Joey

From your description you are using the simple cushion.

You need to not use creams that make your face slippery and get in the way of the mask sealing. You CAN use ayr gel(saline gel), aquaphor(healing ointment), neosporin,and other products like that. All of these used in VERY small amounts will help with the irritation and not hurt the mask, or get in the way of the mask sealing. Keep in mind that if you think you are using just enough, it may be too much. Just a tiny bit goes a long way.

It can take time for the areas that the cushion touches to toughen up. Or like me, your skin may not like any of the masks touching it. I still use ayr gel on my nares(been doing this for 6 months) to keep them from being irritated. I use the pillows because that's the least amount of contact with my skin, so it's the least amount of irritation for me.

Brenda

Thanks, I use a swift sometimes, I am a side sleeper, when it leaks I wake, flip over and wind up on the tube, it is not ideal, I never get a good nights sleep with it but, it is one I rotate thru. I was reading about different fixes on this list, in the archived messages. I will look at the swift later tonight (at home) if time permits and see if I can improve the fit some.

I also went online and looke do up the ayr gel. Unfortunately it has ingredients that I am allergic to. I will have to try a few other home remedies and see what I can come up with. Are there any big no no's? Things that you should never let contact a mask? That would help me to develop a potion I can use. I have always been afraid that anything that came in contact with it might degrade the sislicone material.

Thanks again!

Joey

I've read that you shouldn't use vaseline. Some have used KY jelly and it works for them.

Brenda

Hi Joey-

Glad to see you made it over here! Ayr Gel is basically KY jelly type gel + saline/salt. With our allergies in mind, palm or coconut glycerin + 100% aloe gel + a smidgen of fine sea salt would make a pretty close approximation (Ayr uses salt as its usually used inside the nose). Basically you want to avoid anything oily from coming in contact with the silicone parts of the mask. Anything with a lot of perfumes, alcohol, antibacterial soaps & bleach shouldn't be used either, which is pretty easy for us.

What I find works best for me is to try to remember to wash my face & moisturize it an hour or so before I go to bed. If my face still seems oily, especially in the areas the mask will touch, I gently wipe with a microfiber cloth, since I've been using the OCM (oil cleansing method) and avoiding soap of any type on my face. In the past, I've used witch hazel wipes, but I need to get some 100% witch hazel to make my own (I miss the convenience of having them right next to my bed).

Also, whenever you get a new mask or hose, make sure its washed well before its first use to get rid of any production contaminates, including the headgear. I usually soak mine with a little unscented liquid Castile soap + baking soda + a drop Tea Tree Oil for a few hours and rinse well. Diluted White Vinegar (4 part water to 1 part vinegar) is often recommended as a soak for new equipment and as a disinfectant, but that's out for us unless you think one of the safe apple cider vinegars would work? Hydrogen peroxide may also be an options- that's what the big 3 gallon reusable RO water containers we used a few years ago recommended for cleaning and it worked great. That's what I've been using on my new humidifier (I got all new equipment last November)- just a teaspoon or two of hydrogen peroxide swished around & then rinsed out and so far its seems to working fine. That was the best I could come up with to replace the distilled white vinegar, unless you think one of the non-corn based vinegars might work?

Hey christinequilts!

Thanks for the welcome and especially thanks for the directions for how to get here!!! I am already sleeping much better! This forum has been wonderful!

I really appreciate all the recommendations that you made also. I'm thinking about hacking up my aloe crop and seeing if that'll work, it's a gel, non-oily and very healing, might also be protective and not mess with the effective seal.

Thanks for all the advice!

Joey

Get it and put it across the bridge of your nose and you won't get any marks or irritation. Most drugstores don't carry it. Try surgical supply stores but I couldn't believe how unsucessful that was also. If you are on Long Island, Merrick Drugs on Merrick Avenue carries it and that is it in my 15 mile circle. You can also order it online where it's 1/3 the price but you you have to order large quantities like 8 rolls, which isn't too bad if you're gonna need this forever.

Remember if you call a drugstore, it is Microfoam, not Micropore. It's almost $7 a roll but you get about 5.5 yards and you need only about 2.5 to 1.5 inches each time. Ask them how much it costs and if the say it $1.89, it's the worng one.

Try it first before you buy a whole lot. I just found it for $2.22 plus $8.50 for shipping (that comes to $3.28 a roll) at http://www.qualitymedicalsupplies.com/p ... TGY/73-MFT .

3M Microfoam tape was suggested by Resmed, it wasn't my finding. Finding where I could actually buy it was my finding.

Allen

That sounds like it might be a really good solution for lots of folks! Glad you shared it, unfortunately, I am quite allergic to most adhesives.

Thanks for sharing, I am sure others will find it quite helpful!

Joey

I think the tape is hypo-allergenic. I'm allergic to lots of things and I am Ok with it. Try it, for $7 how can you go wrong?