Contact Dermatitis: tips and tricks?

I had been happily using a Bipap ST for 7 years with Swift Nasal pillows, until mid-summer when I developed contact dermatitis. I don't know if this is allergic reaction developed to silicone, akin to people developing rashes to latex, or what. It started after I got my replacement Swift LT pillows and after reading discussions of those here, I was suspicious it was just those particular pillows. I have since tried going back to my old Swift II with new pillows, but I have a hard time tolerating it and still get the dermatitis. I have also added an Opus 360 to the mix, which is in some cases more comfortable, off the face, but also more flimsy (and still the dermatitis doesn't clear up).

I have also been experimenting with full face masks, but have yet to find a good fit yet. My oxygen level drops to about 70% when I sleep, so "taking a break" is not an option.

Looking through the archives, I've found some good tips, but I wonder if there are other suggestions.

I have tried:
- lanolin cream (wonderful stuff, keeps me losing it during the night)
- nasal saline gel
- cortisone cream (over counter and prescription)
- Aquaphor
- bacitracin ointment, neosporin
- a thin gauze barrier between the pillows and my upper lip
- soaking the pillows daily in mild soap and water
- getting the straps as loose as possible while still having a good seal

What I saw in the archives that I'll try:
- using a thin cotton fabric as a barrier (probably more effective than gauze)

Any other advice you have would be great. As I explained to my husband, my face itches, burns, and hurts all at once and I walk around looking like I have a raging cold.

This cloth mask didn't work for me (headgear was too long for my head), but it might fit you better:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/circad ... dgear.html

There is a 30 day guaranty, so I returned it for a full refund.

It sounds miserable, I hope you find some relief soon.

ask about masks that dont use silicone, theres one made of a type of PVC plastic

you may have developed a silicone allergy

Try the Nasal Aire 2 nasal prong very little contact with the face.

For treating the skin, I have had great success using California Baby products. They are all natural and very soothing. The calendula wash and cream are excellent. You can go to their website for full information. I struggled with perioral dermatitis for a long time and this stuff has finally helped me find relief.

Thank you for the replies!

I think I have a NasalAire 2 in the closet, so I'll have to try it again. I had tried it before I had the dermatitis problem, so I wasn't motivated by wanting something off my face. Maybe I can get it to work.

Harry - I think you're right about the silicone allergy -- my clue: I now also get rashes from the adhesive in band-aids which contains silicone.

Katie - I'll take a closer look at the mask - sounds weird!

And I will try the California Baby cream. I do use California Baby for my kids, and love those products.

.

Naranjadia wrote: Katie - I'll take a closer look at the mask - sounds weird!

Yes, my husband said I looked like a baby elephant.

There are two things that account for 99.9 percent of contact dermatitis when using a CPAP mask.
1st - Most of the mask cushions are made of Silicone. Which is a porous material - this means your own skin and the oils from your skin get absorbed into the cushion. Even if you wash your mask daily it can not remove all of the embedded material. Also, any cleaner you used on your mask cushion gets absorbed as well. Therefore as time goes on you run a bigger chance of deposting an allergen or bacteria onto your face.
2nd - Wearing your mask to tight.

Solution - Change your mask cushion every 2 to 4 weeks. Wipe it clean each morning with a clean damp cloth or wipe and let air dry. Wash your mask parts weekly with a mild soap and warm to cool water.

PS: A silicone allergy would be very rare.

Do not rule out the possibility that there is something different with you;
a deficiency, infection, or even autoimmune (there are many kinds)
I would be pestering the doctor until there is a solution for you.

chunkyfrog wrote:Do not rule out the possibility that there is something different with you;
a deficiency, infection, or even autoimmune (there are many kinds)
I would be pestering the doctor until there is a solution for you.

Comment,

I sort of agree with Froggie that the skin rash (irritation, infection, exclaim, etc) is not from the Silicon material and most any other material would cause it. Silicon happened to be one of the most biocompatible material:

"Silicon is not just for computers and breast enlargement anymore. It was reported on Science Daily today that scientists at Rice University have discovered that, in a liquid crystal state, silicon becomes 90% stiffer when gently and repeatedly compressed. Since silicon is biocompatible, this material can be used to engineer human tissue and may soon be used to patch up damaged cartilage. "

IMO, it could be a problem with the skin itself or some layer on the skin, such as microbes, that gets "rubbed in".