Respironics Comfort Curve skin irritation

I began using a Respironics Comfort Curve system last week and the foam cheek pads are causing a nasty skin irritation on both cheeks. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I switch to the gel pads that also came with it?

It's worth a try! I have the Comfort Curve (don't use it much right now). It was my favourite mask for awhile. I found the foam pads to be irritating but had no trouble with the gel type cheek pads.

Everyone is different but I would try those.

Hi, Dan.

I haven't used the Comfort Curve, but I've thought about giving it a try as a backup/alternate to my much-loved Opus 360, so your question grabbed my interest, and it brought other questions to mind:

What kind of irritation? Some sort of rash, like a chemically-caused skin reaction, or an abrasion from being rubbed? If it's rash-like, I'm wondering if you thoroughly washed and rinsed the pads before wearing the mask. Very often, although they LOOK fine (clean, uncoated, etc.), products can have unseen substances that traveled from factory to consumer, and a good wash will take care of it. Otherwise, I'd definitely give the gel pads a try, because they're silicone, and reactions to silicone, in my experience, are rare. The reviews I've read indicate that some people really like the foam pads and others have a strong preference for the silicone ones.

And if that doesn't work, you could send Padacheek a PM (private message). Her real-life name is Karen, and she sells a line of products (Pad-A-Cheek) that make all kinds of masks more comfortable. I didn't see the Comfort Curve on the product list, but she also does custom designs, and I'm sure she'd treat you right.

And by the way.... welcome to the forum!! I hope you become a regular here. This is a great group of people. If you do, it would be a good idea to fill in more info in your profile -- at least the various elements of your equipment, which will display whenever you post a comment or question. When we have questions, that's the first thing that our resident "experts" look for.

Good luck!!
Marsha

Wow, thanks for the quick responses!

To answer a couple of your questions, Marsha, it seems like dermatitis -- bright red, dry but not itchy. I did not wash the cheek pads (can you even wash the foam pads?), but I will try that with the silicone ones. And, thanks for the Pad-A-Cheek tip. I'll let you know what happens.

Dan

Definitely wash the silicone ones daily! A clean face is also helpful in preventing skin problems with masks.

I did wash the foam ones as well but they still irritated my cheeks.