Mask Farts, itchy nose, and Allergic Rhinitis

I have a new mask and it's in good condition. Thankfully the VA will replace the mask every so often. So mask age/is not an issue.

I'm having trouble with the mask breaking seal and "blowing raspberries" (farting is how my children describe it. they can hear it in their rooms.) on various parts of my face at night. One way I have found to minimise (not eliminate though) this is to sleep on my back, which increases my AHI. Another way I have found to minimise this is to tighten the head straps down so tight that the mask causes a sore on the bridge of my nose and forehead with indentation marks on other parts of my face.

Any one else face this? If so what are your workarounds?

Also, I suffer from allergic rhinitis and often finding myself starting out with sneezing fits until my body adjusts to the filtered air (possibly getting rid of enough allergens to settle down?) that I am quickly unclasping the mask for a sneezing fit, blow my nose, then putting the mask back on as quickly as I can. This is usually just in the start of the night as the filtered air seems to resolve the allergy issues during the night. I can't take too many allergy meds for several reasons. One of which is PACs (Premature Atrial Contractions). Most every allergy medicine on the market exacerbates my PACs. I am waiting on the Pulmonologist to decide it's ok to try Singulair (sp?) but he wants me to keep a record of my lung functions for 2 months then come back in July before he'll see if that will work. supposedly it doesn't exacerbate PACs like other allergy/asthma meds and is supposed to be successfull for both asthma and allerigic rhinitis. I hate taking drugs but My allergies are so severe that I have to try something. I have not found any herbals or natural remedies that seem to help, unless I walk around with a hepa-filtered air supply all day ( I don't even know if they make something like that ). I guess I could make myself a darth-vader suit

Anyone else dealing with sneezing fits until the body settles down? is there a solution? I've thought about squirting saline solution up my sinuses before I go to bed but I have thin sinus walls and I tend to start bleeding after using this method for an extended period of time (I've tried it for an alternative to meds on the allergic rhinitis)

Lastly. I find that the air causes my nose to itch and I'm waking up with severe itching during the night, having to unclasp the mask, scratch my nose in various parts (sometimes inside, sometimes outside. yes, I use a hanky ). then put the mask back on. I plan to ask the Dr. for a hybrid mask with the nose pillows to see if it works any better. At least it will avoid the need to remove the mask for an external nose itch (will probably eliminate the external nose itch, I am hoping the internal as well since no air will be flowing through the sinuses due to the nose pillow.) But in the mean time, has anyone else dealt with this and what was your solution?

Needless to say, all this disruption is almost as tiresome as the apnea, but I do wake up more rested and feeling better than without the machine. Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.

To keep the farts to a minimum I use a mask liner. Go to padacheeks.com, Karen is a member here and makes liners for just about all masks, I have 3 one for my quattro, my ultra mirage and a nice new blue one for my hybrid. In the mean time you could make a liner out of old well washed cotton t-shirt or cotton undies. Just lay your mask on the cotton, draw around it but do about 3/4 inch larger, remove your mask, cut the cotton out, make a hole for your mouth and/or nose. As to the sneezes and itches, sneezes, make sure there is NO dust in and around you intake on the cpap, itchies, they will go away once you skin gets used to the air....the liner also helps out there.
Please go to the profile section and fill in your machine and mask, it is hard for us to tell you what you need if we don't know what you are using. Just go to control panel, then profile, then equipment, choose what it is ...words are better than pictures....then we can help you.
WELCOME by the way.
Cheers
Nan

Thank you for the reply I'll check into the liners.

My machine and mask have already been filled in long ago, and also show up on my signature as a link (at the bottom of each of my posts) Just like yours does

I use mole skin across the bridge of my nose, else sometimes it feels like the mask is growing a tooth and biting the bridge of my nose.

I take it you have washed out the humidifier water and only use distilled water. ?

Yes, I wash the water reservoir, mask, and hose daily and I wash the foam filter weekly and replace the pollen filter regularly.

My question or concern with using any kind of cloth between skin and mask is, wouldn't this provide a means for leakage?

You'd think a liner would open the way for leakage, but it really does work. I make my own from flannel or old cotton t-shirts. They work because skin oils let the mask loosen up, and the liner absorbs the oils. They're thin enough that air doesn't get under them.

> VA will replace the mask every so often.

The guideline is a new mask every 3 months.
Headgear every 6 months.

> I suffer from allergic rhinitis
> I can't take too many allergy meds for several reasons.
> My allergies are so severe that I have to try something.
> I find that the air causes my nose to itch and I'm waking up with severe itching
> often finding myself starting out with sneezing fits

That's not uncommon for those of us with allergies. We feel your pain, er, itch.

You'll read posts here from some who appear to have the hide of an alligator. They say that they never change or wash anything. Lucky them. Wish I could do that. Those with allergies have to do things differently. Here are some strategies.

Stuff builds up in our gear that doesn't affect others, but it affects us. It is very possible that's what's causing your itching and sneezing.

Use _both_ filters (depending on your machine).

Change the white disposable filter once or twice a month (depending on your severity).

Rinse the gray foam filter out once a week. Wash with _free & clear_ soap once a month. Rinse well. Let it dry completely before using again.

While you're at it, change the furnace filter regularly. Use a high quality furnace filter (e.g., 3M Filtrete). Do not use those thin fiber filters that you can easily see through.

Wash the humidifier once or twice a month. Rinse the insides under hot running water. Then put back together and fill with vinegar. Shake well to get it to all sides, let it set briefly, then rinse well. Wash it with a free and clear soap (e.g., 7th Generation Natural Dish Liquid Free & Clear, or similar). Rinse well.

Follow the same procedure for your hose.
Hot water, vinegar, rinse, F&C soap, rinse.

Similar for the mask.

Be certain to use distilled water. Now watch the distilled water haters come out of the woodwork (just joking). Remember this: it's us allergy sufferers talking with one another. You can go back to sanding your face with double ought sandpaper, since it doesn't bother you, lol.

In round numbers, a gallon of distilled water costs around a dollar (plus or minus). It contains 16 cups. I put in about a cup per night. Toss out the remaining water in the morning and let the humidifier dry well. Don't let it stay wet. This procedure has the humongous cost of ... ready for this? ... 6-7 cents per night! For allergy sufferers it's (very little) money well spent.

Now for the face. At bedtime, put a little bit of over-the-counter Cortisone 10 in the places that itch the most (usually around the nose). Over that put some Ayr Nasal Gel. Just before turning out the light squirt some Ayr Saline Nasal Mist into each nostril.

If you get up to go to the bathroom during the night, reapply all of the above. If you don't get up but are itching, reapply.

After you shower put skin lotion/moisturizer on your face every day to keep the skin from drying out. It should say things like F&C, for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, or non-comedogenic, etc.

If you have any concerns about any of this, discuss with your doctor.

Thanks for your reply. I haven't replaced the white filter yet but it's only been a little over a week. I wasn't sure how often to replace it so that was some invaluable info. thanks . I guess I should clarify on the foam filter. I "rinse" it out weekly. I haven't used soap on it. Guess I should try.

We don't have a furnace or AC here. the house was built in 1925 and looks like a couple drunks got together thinking they could do better than the folks who get paid to build houses and tried with this house being the result . But it keeps us dry and I am very grateful for it. We do have to use electric and wood heat in the winter so I have to deal with that. I've looked into getting air filters systems but don-t know how effective it would be in this house and since it's costly to get anything to deal with a full house size I've held off for both cost and uncertainty.

I do use distilled water. I have never tried lotions but I guess I can try that. I usually soak in a colloidal oatmeal bath 2x daily but nothing for the face. I'll look into that. Thanks. The va will only replace the mask every 6 months, straps included but it's better than being left on my own for it. Again. I am grateful for what I can get.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll look into them and try as many as I can.

For anyone who gets their CPAP supplies thru the VA, we are a government contractor and the VA can submit the order to us directly.
If they need more information, please feel free to contact me.

We are happy to help.
Karen

FlanMaster wrote:I'm having trouble with the mask breaking seal and "blowing raspberries"

My suggestion on that is the same as Nan's. The liners do cut down on the noise and the thicker ones can help eliminate sores on the nose, though maybe not sores from having the mask super tight.

I had found somewhere that had a pattern for making liners yourself out of t-shirt fabric. I just looked for the link and I cannot find it. I must be using the wrong words in my search on google. There are instructions out there, though, for making your own. I also got a set of the RemZzz brand liners from my DME and the insurance covered it with no problem.

FlanMaster wrote:I have not found any herbals or natural remedies that seem to help, unless I walk around with a hepa-filtered air supply all day ( I don't even know if they make something like that ). I guess I could make myself a darth-vader suit

FlanMaster wrote: Lastly. I find that the air causes my nose to itch and I'm waking up with severe itching during the night, having to unclasp the mask, scratch my nose in various parts (sometimes inside, sometimes outside. yes, I use a hanky ). then put the mask back on.

Maybe get some hepa filters that go in the nostrils? That would help with both problems. It would filter the air and, if there were any itching, you could put some gentle pressure on the outside of the nose and the edges of the filter would sort of scratch the itch.

FlanMaster wrote:Anyone else dealing with sneezing fits until the body settles down? is there a solution? I've thought about squirting saline solution up my sinuses before I go to bed but I have thin sinus walls and I tend to start bleeding after using this method for an extended period of time (I've tried it for an alternative to meds on the allergic rhinitis)

I have had the sneezing fits, but not on a regular basis. I did notice that when there was lower than usual humidity in the regular air, I am more likely to sneeze, presumably sneezing because of the added moisture in the filtered air. I'm not sure which other variables are relevant-- Why does it happen some times and not others?

Do you use commercially available sinus rinses or do you mix your own? With a mix your own rinse, I am wondering if variations in the ingredients or the proportion of ingredients would make any difference. For example, the mix I use has baking soda in it. Maybe if I added a little more soda, the mixture would be less irritating to my nose.

Hope you are able to find the solutions that work for you...

Deborah