hypoallergenic ffm

Does anyone know of a full face mask that is hypoallergenic? I have a patient using a Quattro, but she is breaking out from the straps as well as the cushion. Please voice your experiences.

I had rash problems with the Quattro and finally figured out it was rosacea. For me, the rosacea isn't very noticeable but the FFM really caused to to get much worse.

So is it a sensitivity to the silicone or is it something else?

Mindy

Mindy makes a good point. Rosacea is common in my family of Northern European heritage. The Rosacea Association has a wealth of information available.

Click here for the Rosacea Association Link

However, in my case, I happened to have a yearly appointment with my dermatologist. The Breeze Dreamseal had caused irritation and redness, the type that looks a bit stretched, red, and flaky.

He absolutely diagnosed it as contact dermatitis. By happy coincidence, I also had an appointment with my allergist a few days later. He concurred, but then...he referred me to the dermatologist.

Now, here is the shocker:

Both doctors said, "It would be a shame if you had to quit something that is working for you."

Uhhh---gut wrench!! QUITTING CPAP IS NOT AN OPTION!!


Now, why isn't silicone sensitivity as much of a concern as a LATEX SENSITIVITY?? In the medical field with all of the choices, why can there be only ONE? (Highlander, I'm not referring to you.)
/

Many of us with fragrance problems are probably silicone sensitive as well, since phthalates are used in such fragrance products somehow.

Karen

genpop1 wrote:Does anyone know of a full face mask that is hypoallergenic? I have a patient using a Quattro, but she is breaking out from the straps as well as the cushion. Please voice your experiences.

Silicone is often considered a hypoallergenic substance, used in place of latex for people with latex allergies. Very few people actually react allergically specifically to silicone.

Straps are usually cut from a layer of neoprene sandwiched in what looks to me like very fine poly/lycra jersey knit for durability. Some people react with contact dermatitis to neoprene - just a general bumpy rash. If the rash mirrors exactly the placement of your straps, that may be what's happening. My first suggestion would be to try Padacheek.com. Find the sleeves that fit your patient's mask. If this still doesn't help, you may need to find an alternative strap system. Padacheek may be able to help with that too.

If the rash exists both at the site of contact with the silicone of the mask and the straps, the rash is not material-specific and therefore more likely to be environmental:

1. In any case, it's probably worth seeing a dermatologist.
2. Roseacea is a good candidate, as suggested by Mindy.
3. Is it very hot in the room at night and the patient is sweating a lot? It could be heat rash.
4. Is the patient eating a lot of sugar and also in a hot sweaty bedding situation? It could be a yeast infection. If it smells, it's definitely a yeast infection. Get to a doctor soon and reduce the sugar intake.
5. Is the patient anxious about wearing a mask at night? Rashes can occur just from anxiety. Trust me.
6. It could be a combination of environmental causes.