Redness from mask?

Hi everyone. This is my first week on a machine. I was wondering if anyone else has had this when they first started. I seem to be having some redness, not pain just redness, where the mask cushioning rests. Is there a remedy for this? Thanks in advance for any responses! :-=)

It happens, try to loosen the mask a bit but not so much it starts leaking. I made that mistake early on and it will go away.

rushrhees wrote:It happens, try to loosen the mask a bit but not so much it starts leaking. I made that mistake early on and it will go away.

Hi rush! I have to have it fairly tight to compensate for my facial hair so i don't know if i could have it much looser. I wonder if some kind of lotion would help.

There are liners called "RemZzzs" that might help.

You can buy them at http://www.RemZzzs.com. Some people make their own out of old cotton clothing. The home made ones last longer since they can be washed and used over and over.

I'm not sure if cpap.com has them or not. Haven't looked for them there.

I would normally inquire about how often you clean the mask but since you have only had it one week I don't believe that is the culprit. It is normal for some facial irritation to be present while wearing the mask and for a limited time after removal--up to about 30 minutes. However, if you have persistent redness you may be allergic to the mask. If it is a gel mask this is especially more likely. My suggestion would be to call your DME vendor and request a different name brand mask that is a similar style. That should resolve the allergy as the three primary manufacturers-ResMed, Philips, and F&P-use slightly different materials in their cushions. Hope this helps.

I think i might look into something like that liner. I had an idea like that. The redness does fade maybe i will give it a little longer and see if it stops when i get more used to it then try the liner. I dont really have the option of another mask since i'm having to pay out of pocket. And plus aside from this i really love the mask.

Just as a test for the liners why don't you give it a homemade try. Lay your mask on a old white well washed t-shirt or cotton undies and trace around it but trace about 3/4 of an inch bigger than your mask. Cut a small hole in the middle for your nose and voila! you have it. If this helps with the redness then you know you can order some or continue to make your own. I had the same problem with my mask leaving me with a lovely red mark on my face and the liners helped. It also helps with small leaks. I thought that my homemade ones were a little funny looking so I ordered a pack from remzzz....they were almost the same as the one I made . I now use a remzzz as my pattern and use old cotton undies, which I find to be the same cotton as the remzzz.
Good luck
N

And before you try the liners, you might try what many people recommend: Wash your cushion thoroughly, even soak it for a short while in white vinegar and water and rinse really well till no trace of vinegar smell can be detected, followed by air-drying. Something about new silicone that causes sensitivity for some folks.

plr66 wrote:And before you try the liners, you might try what many people recommend: Wash your cushion thoroughly, even soak it for a short while in white vinegar and water and rinse really well till no trace of vinegar smell can be detected, followed by air-drying. Something about new silicone that causes sensitivity for some folks.

I'll try that. I did wash it but i definitely didn't soak it. And i didn't use vinegar. What is a good vinegar to water mixture to use?

daewon, honey, welcome to the forum! My skin is hideously sensitive (although much improved since I started cpap therapy. Who knew that would help? Anyway...) and I put just a drop of my face soap in a pot of really hot, but not boiling water, and soak my new equipment for at least 30 minutes before I ever put it on. This seems to make a big difference in whether or not my skin reacts. The Remzzs are a great help, too, whether home made or commercial.

brazospearl wrote:daewon, honey, welcome to the forum! My skin is hideously sensitive (although much improved since I started cpap therapy. Who knew that would help? Anyway...) and I put just a drop of my face soap in a pot of really hot, but not boiling water, and soak my new equipment for at least 30 minutes before I ever put it on. This seems to make a big difference in whether or not my skin reacts. The Remzzs are a great help, too, whether home made or commercial.

Hello there! Thanks for the welcome

I'll try what you do. I don't have any face soap though. So far i have washed the silicone in mild dish soap and then in vinegar. The redness does seem to have improved but not 100%. Once the red goes away from where the mask sits and the t-part on the forehead there is still just a small bit of redness from the initial wearing. So i'll try your suggestion. Also i was thinking maybe some kind of skin toner such as witch hazel would help/ Possibly? Or some kind of face cream?

Hi there
Do not use face cream at night. Its okay in the morning after you take your mask off.
We ladies that usually used moisturizer every night before bed were warned not to use it with the mask. I switched to morning, when I can remember . Now that I use mask liners I don't have to wash my mask every day either. I give it a good and complete clean every Sunday morning with baby shampoo and in between I will use unscented baby wipes to give it a quick swipe. I soak everything else(headgear, water chamber, & fleece covers) in 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar .
Good luck
N

I got some baby wipes and will give that a try...i also got some lotion...god idea there... iwas wondering what would be good for daily wiping between thorough weekly cleanings

Nobody would want to have my old undies against their face... are you kidin'?

I asked this same question a few weeks back and it appears that using panty liners was the cheapest route to line the mask.

My mask lines go away in a couple of hours and the best response I give (was from a gentleman here) is "I fell asleep on a hot BBQ last night". Then I proceed to ticket the guy....

Sheriff

Panty liners you say? Well now i have to say that's one i never expected to hear *LOL* ... ithink wiping before use with the baby wipes and lotion could be doing the trick...but if not i will try the panty liners haha...

good response to tell people too hehe,... i might have to use that one...although not being able to ticket people might take some of the fun out of it