cpap for small faces

I want to know if anyone has problems with the cpap mask because their face is too small , too small even for the smallest size masks and sensitive skin that breaks out when you wear the mask. If your out there let me know how you handle the situation.

Hi - (Face too small!) Yes - I used the small size mask which was too big then changed to Nasal Pillows = much better!!!

you can even get kid sizes or extra smalls in some masks.

Consider the Respironics Simplicity Petite simple nasal cushion.

Howdy,

CPAP.com recently launched a new product category structure. One of the additions was a section specifically for Small Faces. Here it is:

https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... faces.html

Johnny

I am one of the small faced women who has trouble with mask sizing. At one point I did contact Resmed asking if those kid sized mask would be an option. Unfortunetly they responded that NO those sized masks would not work. I am not sure why but that was their response. I must say that I am still considering trying one. F/P 406 is small enough but doesn't seal around my eyes. I tried Micro-Mirage small and that fits, size wise but leaks around my eyes also. So far the only mask I have used that fits is Comfort-Gel petite. I am not comfortable with that mask. It is heavy and I wake up with a headache. I use it since it is the best of the worst for fit. Someday maybe........ there will be the perfect mask for me!

The Respironics Simplicity comes in a Petite. It is a simple nasal cushion. It is designed NOT to cover the entire nose from bridge to upper lip but rather slightly down the nose from the bridge to the upper lip. Thus I've found it fits great for my face. The headgear is rather large but that is easily remedied by putting a fold in the center strap and holding the fold in place w/a strip of velcro until you get it adjusted "just right". Then cut out the fold, attach the two cut ends w/the velcro strip and you are good to go. My first one lasted 9-10 months that way before I switched to using my second Simplicity. And the velcro was still holding good. Its just that it seemed like time to retire that first nasal cushion and I was eligble for a 3rd Simplicity. The Simplicity is totally flexible for that forehead to bridge of nose area which had been a problem for me w/other masks.

With any nasal cushion mask: lay down, lay the mask on your face SLIGLHTLY below the bridge of your nose, turn your CPAP on, adjust your headgear straps, push the mask slightly up your nose to correct position. That ensures that the cushion edges at the bridge are turned under so they don't cut into your nose bridge. Run your fingertip along the seam between mask cushion and your nose or cheek skin to eliminate any leaks including eye leaks. Generally, the top straps should be a little more loose than the bottom straps. Loosening the top straps and tightening the bottom straps will often eliminate leaks around the eyes.

The Simplicity is about as small and lightweight as they come. I'm sold on mine for comfort!!! Its my favorite.

I like the Nasal Aire II - it doesn't depend on the shape or size of your face - just your nares.

Swift LT just came out with a special model that is sized smaller for women. CPAP.com doesn't carry it yet, but they are working on carrying it. There's a thread here on it - Swift LT for Her.

I DO NOT recommend the Nasal Aire II Petite. It's a real pain, and I haven't found anyone yet who likes it. Other than a six year old girl in Australia.

Good luck!
Babs

Okay, F&P 431 size small, first try last night: shot cold air nonstop into one eye (evidently my face is lopsided),
farts and leaks air all along the sides, and my chin was painfully cold from all that cold air rushing around.
Why design a mask with all that space around a non-breathing area? Should i stuff insulation material in
there?
Activa is giving me itchies and sloppy fit
ComfortLite II can't seem to stay on my face anymore, even with PapCap
OptiLife ditto

Should i try the Respironics Simplicity? Soyala nasal, size small? Probasics zzz-nasal mask size large! according to the template?
The only bright side: NasalAire II is coming for a tryout! If that doesn't work, i might just give up, that this is not going to work\
for me. I'm too exhausted to fail many more times.
Leonbergergirl

Apparently I've a very small head, although my nose is long whilst narrow. Makes mask fitting a nightmare.

But I get best results with Mirage Activa - I love the Swift II, but it just won't seal despite many attempts to adjust or upgrade it, and using all 3 size pillows at various times.

I'm like Babette, I have one of those faces the mask needs to be adjusted for constantly - maybe as you get older your face not only shifts around (& drops ), but does so on a changing and daily basis!

I have adjusted so that the leaks are around the mouth more than the eyes, but it's constant and frustrating. I've not found anything else that works, either. D'oh.

They cater to men as usual. I can't wear th he nasal masks. They ASSume th as the is the solution to small faced women. After all apnea patients are giant fat people right? I have small sinuses too and small airways so nasal masks make my sinuses and airways raw and bloody and the air blasts out through my mouth regardless of a chin strap. The airfit F10 work's sorta but even the small is too wide at the bottom. The extra small is the same width just shorter. It's the width on all the masks that is the problem top or bottom. There are people with sleep apnea without wide faces. If you can use a nasal mask and you are small you are out of luck. Frankly the respiratory therapy providers are aweful. They are terrible and don't care. All surly unpleasant fat Men with sleep apnea and if they are not, if they are nice, they leave because they don't like those people either. I have found them unhelpful and they never measure they
Offer you three or four of the largest masks and that is it. There are no masks for small women who don't have big wide faces.Sorry just tired of getting no help and no service from the Health"Care" business.

clear2me wrote:They cater to men as usual. I can't wear th he nasal masks. They ASSume th as the is the solution to small faced women. After all apnea patients are giant fat people right? I have small sinuses too and small airways so nasal masks make my sinuses and airways raw and bloody and the air blasts out through my mouth regardless of a chin strap. The airfit F10 work's sorta but even the small is too wide at the bottom. The extra small is the same width just shorter. It's the width on all the masks that is the problem top or bottom. There are people with sleep apnea without wide faces. If you can use a nasal mask and you are small you are out of luck. Frankly the respiratory therapy providers are aweful. They are terrible and don't care. All surly unpleasant fat Men with sleep apnea and if they are not, if they are nice, they leave because they don't like those people either. I have found them unhelpful and they never measure they
Offer you three or four of the largest masks and that is it. There are no masks for small women who don't have big wide faces.Sorry just tired of getting no help and no service from the Health"Care" business.

There are some children's masks. I have a small face and use a quattro fx with small headgear. I had to specifically ask for the small headgear.

Clear2me - It would probably help if you a) started your own new thread asking for help, instead of posting to a 7 yr old one, and b) stop spreading stereotypes like the old, fat men thing which we have been fighting here for years. Your post is so unpleasant, but the forum is here to help people, and we might be able to help you. We understand that you feel crappy, a lot of us do too or we wouldn't be here, but it would be a lot easier if we didn't see attitude in a new member.

clear2me wrote:They cater to men as usual. I can't wear th he nasal masks. They ASSume th as the is the solution to small faced women. After all apnea patients are giant fat people right? I have small sinuses too and small airways so nasal masks make my sinuses and airways raw and bloody and the air blasts out through my mouth regardless of a chin strap. The airfit F10 work's sorta but even the small is too wide at the bottom. The extra small is the same width just shorter. It's the width on all the masks that is the problem top or bottom. There are people with sleep apnea without wide faces. If you can use a nasal mask and you are small you are out of luck. Frankly the respiratory therapy providers are aweful. They are terrible and don't care. All surly unpleasant fat Men with sleep apnea and if they are not, if they are nice, they leave because they don't like those people either. I have found them unhelpful and they never measure they
Offer you three or four of the largest masks and that is it. There are no masks for small women who don't have big wide faces.Sorry just tired of getting no help and no service from the Health"Care" business.

Don't hold back...tell us how you really feel

The Wisp nasal mask would be fine with a small face although you may have to hack the headgear.

I get Padacheek liners for all my cushions. There is one for the Wisp.