Rash With Activa Mask?

I used the Activa mask for the first time last night. I have some other issues that I will post about later, but my most pressing one at this point is a rash I just noticed. Have any of you ever had that before? There are clear pinpont sized vesicles where the mask goes. I am allergic to latex, but the literature I got with the mask said it is latex free, so I don't believe that is the problem.

Do you know of any other chemical irritant in the mask that may cause this?

Thanks for your help.

*I thought I should add that the rash is clear, not red, and it doesn't itch. However, last night I did experience some itching around my nose where the mask goes.

SuzieQ wrote:I used the Activa mask for the first time last night. I have some other issues that I will post about later, but my most pressing one at this point is a rash I just noticed. Have any of you ever had that before? There are clear pinpont sized vesicles where the mask goes. I am allergic to latex, but the literature I got with the mask said it is latex free, so I don't believe that is the problem.

Do you know of any other chemical irritant in the mask that may cause this?

Thanks for your help.

*I thought I should add that the rash is clear, not red, and it doesn't itch. However, last night I did experience some itching around my nose where the mask goes.

For me, if a mask seal has a large contact area with my skin my own skin warmth with the mask causes a rash.

Hi SuzieQ, I use the Activa all that time and once in a while I get the exact same thing. Clear tiny bump. No idea what causes it, and it goes away within a day or two. I think the cause is that if I don't clean it every day (soap or vinegar or wipes or combination) then the facial oil build-up on the mask (or the dust that settles on it ) causes this.
You might want to thoroughly wash your face with soap before putting the mask on. Some people also find that it helps the mask seal better (though for the Activa you don't really have to worry about sealing problems!).

Thanks for the reply Echo! The second night, I decided to wash the mask in Baby Wash. I probably should have done this before wearing it the first night. I called Resmed, and the rep said to be sure to wash my face really good and not use any kinds of lotions or creams in the area the mask covers. She asked if I used any of these things, and I said, "Of course I do! I'm a girl!"

One thing that perplexed me was that the rash was also on my chin, and the mask doesn't come anywhere near my chin, unless it happened to while I was asleep.

Thanks again Echo.

ahhh that explains it

as for washing the face, there are several reasons:
- Prolong the life of the mask. supposedly the creams/lotions degrade the silicon, but i've found that my hard water does a better of degrading the mask than any facial or external oils every could (I change the seal about every 3 months!)
- To get a better seal (though if my face is too dry, then i find it doesn't seal too well either. With the activa, i never really have a sealing problem)
- Avoid rashes

... i used to be pretty obsessive about washing my face before going to bed... now I only do it sometimes, and even then I don't use soap, just water. As long as I keep the mask clean, I find I don't have problems with either my face or the mask. The tape is another story

Dunno about the rash on the chin.... ? Maybe you reacted to some of the chemicals on the mask/packaging?

good luck!

SuzieQ wrote:Thanks for the reply Echo! The second night, I decided to wash the mask in Baby Wash. I probably should have done this before wearing it the first night. I called Resmed, and the rep said to be sure to wash my face really good and not use any kinds of lotions or creams in the area the mask covers. She asked if I used any of these things, and I said, "Of course I do! I'm a girl!"

One thing that perplexed me was that the rash was also on my chin, and the mask doesn't come anywhere near my chin, unless it happened to while I was asleep.

Thanks again Echo.

That's why I use the CL2. I can use any product on my face (excluding the end of my nose : ) I love that about it. I may try the even more popular (I think more popular : ) Headrest as it doesn't even contact the forehead. I get a new mask in a few months.