finally got a mask to not leak, BUT i have red lines down my

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Guest105

Post by Guest105 » Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:19 pm

I like to sleep on my side too and using a nasal mask. I tried putting face on edge of pillow but I still get leak. If I raise my head up off pillow, leak stops. The mask is not touching anything, leaks... I realized that the straps are moving the mask. When head is in pillow, the straps pull the mask slightly, hence the leaks. I can't say I found a solution, but my point is, it may not be the mask, per se, but the strap tightness. I find myself pulling slightly on the up-face side, stops the leak, but as soon as I move face on pillow, it starts again.

beegee
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:43 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by beegee » Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:49 pm

Hi Cindy,

You could possibly try putting some tape on your face where the red marks occur. I have to do this with my very loosely strapped Activa mask, and it keeps the seal. I use a 1 inch wide strip of Elastoplast Sport Wrap tape and put a little light moisturiser under so that the tape is easily removed in the morning. My problem area is a bit smaller than yours, from about the eye socket bone to the end of the nose. I think some people's skin is more sensitive to the pressure of the silicone, combined with slight movement and a bit of moisture. The effect is like a chafe mark.

This fix worked for me, but I think the Activa's bellows-style cushion is a bit more accommodating to keeping a seal during movement than the UMFF.

Good luck,
Babara.


beegee
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:43 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Post by beegee » Sat Sep 15, 2007 8:29 pm

Also, forgot to say that paper tape (eg 3M) also works for me, but can sometimes leave a bit of sticky residue on skin.

Barbara