Silicone Alternatives?

I needed a doctor a few weeks ago, and because my own was not in, I saw his associate. I liked this doctor and his nurse so much better than my own, and find myself wondering how I can gracefully leave one for the other…

But that’s not why I'm writing. This new doctor mentioned something that perhaps someone here can verify. I can't use CPAP nasal or face masks because of a silicone allergy. My previous understanding – from my own doctor and DME – was that all masks were made of silicone. This doctor told me that some manufacturers would provide masks in alternative materials upon request. Is this true? And if so, does anyone know which manufacturers offer alternatives, and how to go about it?

Well there is the saline alternative I think ... Doh! wrong forum

I remember there was a spammer who visited here a while back peddling some fabric type CPAP mask ... perhaps someone like RG will remember what the name of that mask was.

Best o luck.

I seem to be sensitive to the silicone in my full face mask as I have started having a red welp in the shape of the mask that lingers for hours and it is uncomfortable.

I talked to the doctor (my regular doctor) and she said she had not heard of anyone being allergic to silicone -- latex yes, but not silicone. She made some suggestions but I knew from this forum that I didn't want to implement the suggestions and explained why -- one was to use vaseline on the seal to help with the irritation. I explained that the petrolum base would be bad for the seal. She also suggested WD40 as she said the chemical make up is not petrolum based -- it plain stinks and don't think I could stand the smell of it (and she could have been kidding on this one).

I told her I had ordered a lanolin based product and she was skeptical it would work for me as I am allergic to wool.

I am using Ayr gel at the present -- but was wondering if glycerin would work. I have some of it on hand.

I was able to get her to write me a prescription for a new mask -- but wouldn't you know it when I went to the DME the only nasal pillow system they carry is the Optilife and I had purchased one from eBay but I went ahead and let them give it to me for a spare or to use as a trade.

Does anyone know if one can be allergic to the silicone?

Circadiance makes a cloth mask called Sleep Weaver.

This is interesting, as I am finding I am sensitive to silicone.

I had a definite contact dermatitis from the Breeze DreamSeal, diagnosed by my dermatologist. He told me that I should use a prescription corticosteroid cream that I already have in my arsenal for my skin conditions. He further suggested that it would not be a great concept to be forced to go without xPAP. Yep, I totally agreed with that one!

My internist has also diagnosed my breathing problems as a result of the silicone (although I have not had a reaction to the skin-contact portions of other masks). He prescribed an antihistamine, which HAS helped. He also told me to avoid milk and milk products, which has also been effective--based on forgetting to avoid it and noticing more difficulty breathing. (This is a tough one, as my mother's family owned a dairy farm. We are very much into serving milk and milk products.)

When discussing this with my allergist/immunologist, he said there is NO test for a silicone allergy. He further commented that it would be a shame to have to quit something that was working for me. HAH! I cannot quit unless I would like to basically quit life as I like to know it.

YES, one can be allergic to silicone. According to several sources, it may be more likely that we react to the plasticizers. A chemist told me that the two most likely plasticizers are: bisphenol A and octyl pthalate.

Now, here is the problem that I have been unable to solve: who knows, and will SHARE, what comprises the various silicones in masks? An RT told me that there are various silicone formulas and that one cannot count on the silicones from any one company being consistently formulated. IOW, there are no guarantees as to the masks from one company working while all others do not.

All masks are latex-free but contain silicone, with the possible exception of the Sleepweaver. Circadiance Website for Sleepweaver CPAP Mask

So far, the worst for me has been the Breeze DreamSeal. The best has been the Hybrid, but that is also my oldest mask. The CL 2 is the mask that I used for the longest time, but I also put lanolin on the Direct Seal to seal any microleaks. Now, I realize that the bacterial nasal infection I'd had just before being tested for sleep disordered breathing probably had NOT lingered; this may be why my right narus is looking a bit ragged at the edge.

Outgassing a mask is something that I am exploring. Another of our wonderful Forum Folk has told me that outgassing may be accomplished by soaking the mask for a couple of days in a vinegar and water soak, followed by several weeks of open air exposure, and then repeating the soak and air exposure.

I have been on CPAP for just over 18 months. If I am truly allergic, I would like to know what substance is the problem. If it can be avoided, it would be the best solution. If I must rely on antihistamines, then I will have to do so, but I really would rather not.

So, if you can add to our body of knowledge, please do so. If not, please keep a vigil for any information about silicone sensitivity. Thank you all for your support in ANY case!

Karen

I've never heard of any companies doing that, but if they do that would be great! If you find out who they are, please post something!

When I wanted to change to a different doctor in the same group the office staff refused to let me. Good luck with that.

Just get ahold of PADACHEEK! Karen made me a 'gasket' for my UMFF mask. It is a fabric that covers the entire seal. I can now wear a FF mask and have no rashes or marks in the morning! It did raise my leak rate by 2 or 3 points, but it is still in an acceptable range for the mask. Just PM 'padacheek' or catch her on chat and she will be sure to help!

Brenda

I wish they made a rubber mask. That would be an alternative to silicone. Too many latex allergies in the world, though, I guess.

bdp522 wrote:Just get ahold of PADACHEEK! Karen made me a 'gasket' for my UMFF mask. It is a fabric that covers the entire seal. <snip>

Brenda

Thanks so much for your suggestion, Brenda. I am afraid that will not work for me as the major problem is my breathing. The silicone causes lung congestion, drainage, coughing, and of course--nasal congestion.

With the Breeze DreamSeal, I had contact dermatitis which would have been "cured" by the Pad-a-Cheek seal. No other mask has caused dermatitis. In using the Breeze, I also had the other symptoms affecting my ability to breathe, but had not identified the silicone as a cause.

Thank you once again, and I am sorry that I cannot take advantage of your advice. It is my hope that someone else will find a solution from your post.

Karen

I thought I read somewhere that the Respironics Profile Lite was not made of silicone or latex.

I read up on the Respironics site and all I could find is that it is latex free. I couldn't find where it states it is silicone free. Also read the description on cpap.com and some info about the latex free.

Carol, that coincides with what a very experienced sleep tech told me--that all of the masks out now contain silicone and are latex-free. The possible exception may be the Sleepweaver.

Karen

Would it do any good to paint the mask with a latex substance? Or would that be the same as using a fabric seal?

I know that there are latex body paints out there that might be useful as a barrier, but I'm not sure if that would be enough in your case.

Susan

SleepyCarol,

There can be two ways you can be allergic to wool. One is lanolin, which is the sheep's version of sebum which our own skin produces. It is a waxy, fatty substance that some people are allergic too, but not really too many, I think.

The other thing that happens is people react to the tiny barbs that are present in the sheep's wool. These barbs coat the hair shaft of the sheep wool and are what make felting possible (they grab on to each other). They can be very irritating to human skin, on susceptible folks. Wool comes in many grades from the finest merino to the coarsest utility wool. Merino is far, far softer and less likely to cause a problem. Also, there is now superwash wool that has the barbs either removed or glued down to make washing possible. It feels almost like cotton.

I would be super-careful with the lanolin and put a dab of it on your inner arm for 48 hours before putting any on your face.

I think each of you with the sensitivity should take the information above about the plasticizers and contact the major manufacturers of masks directly, preferably by phone. They can't help you if they don't know you exist. I'm guessing they will probably be as open as they can be once they are able to do some research on the subject.

My guess is the first time you call they will be caught off guard. But get the person's name and tell them you will be calling THEM back to ask more questions. Make sure they get your name and information. I'm not saying be a pest, but let them know this isn't going away. Your health cannot be put on a shelf because of this. They should be able to do something to help you! Think of yourself as a representative of a portion of the population that cannot advocate for themselves. You all are articulate and well-informed and must speak for others who have put their cpap's on the shelves and given up because of problems like this.

Jen

I am so glad you wrote socknitster as I would not have thought about doing the test site prior to putting it on my face. I am picking some up this Saturday when I have more time as the druggist said she would order it this week.

You have a valid point and will look into contacting the manufacturers as there has to be others that this is an issue for as well.

Thanks.
Carol