Is Moleskin Save To Use???

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:10 am

Moleskin is a Dr. Scholl's product that was recommended to people on the forum by other people on the forum (including me) to help alleviate mask leaks and reduce irritation on your nose from the mask. The recommended application for moleskin is for "all day relief of painful corns, calluses and tender spots" on your feet. I contacted the company via 1 800 number to see if the moleskin adhesive was indeed safe to use in CPAP masks. They were quite surprised when they heard that it was being used in this application. I talked to an Edward Kavalec, B.Sc.Pharm. working at Schering Canada Inc. (whom I assume manufactures the moleskin for Dr. Scholl's). The following is word for word what the letter he sent me says:

Dear Mr. ---------

You asked about the composition of the adhesive used in Moleskin Kurotex for use in positive pressure mask worn by Sleep-Apnea patients during the night to prevent apneic episodes.

The adhesive used is a medicinal-grade acrylic-based polymer adhesive, made by National Starch, U.S.A. It is a copolymer composed of 2-ethy-hexyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and alkyl acrylate (butylacrylate). These components are considered to be non-volatile and are classed as non-hazardous. This type of adhesive is used in a variety of products including Breathe-Rite Strips (J&J).

We have no information on the effects of inhalation over a long period of time as with the sleep apnea mask.

This information is intended to provide pertinent scientific data that will assist you in forming your own conclusions. It is not intended to recommend new usage of our products.

We thank you for your interest in Schering Canada Inc. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact or Medical Information Department at 1-800-463-5442.

Sincerely,

Edward Kavalec, B.Sc.Pharm.
Medical Information.

He did tell me that the WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) data sheets that he had on hand did not show effects of inhalation of this product. That was likely why they took the stance they did in the letter.

To sum up what I think they are saying is that the product is fine for what it's intended purpose was (for your feet) but if you choose to use it in another application it is at your own risk.

Darth Vader Look

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:16 am

i thought the adhesive part goes on your face, but what do i know? bought some yesterday. there's also generic brand, but didn't look as thick.

caroline

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:06 am

Moleskin? ...Darth, you maybe safe using it... but what about all those skinless moles? ...it can get cold in Canada.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:57 pm

Wading, I'm not sure what I have started here Our people on the east coast get bad press on the seal hunt and now we will get the double wammy for moleskin Ya just can't seem to get a break anymore .

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:02 pm

[quote="Darth Vader Look"]Wading, I'm not sure what I have started here Our people on the east coast get bad press on the seal hunt and now we will get the double wammy for moleskin Ya just can't seem to get a break anymore .

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:44 pm

Goofproof wrote:
And we wont even get into Snipe Feathers to pad our straps.

Hey let's go on a snipe hunt... you know you need to go out early to find those little buggers. How 'bout I stay back and make the coffee while you guys go out in the cold and wrestle up a few for breakfast

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:15 pm

GIDGIE........A, #1 MOLESKIN USER.........YOU APPLY THE STUFF TO THE MASK, NOT THE FACE, CHDURIE! AND YOU, MY FRIEND DARTH.........! YOU STARTED THE WHOLE THING, SO 'FESS UP!! But yes, I think it's the greatest thing since silicone, even my DME likes the idea (not that that's much of an endorsement) So you see, folks, if us Canadians go down in history for the demise of the moles, YOU CAN BLAME OUR FRIEND DARTH!

G00k · Post by **G00k** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:05 pm

Gidgie, could you elaborate on the application on moleskin onto your mask cushion? Does it actually seal, or just slow the leak down? Thin strips or fat? will it peel off the cushion without tearing it? Do you put it all the way around the edge or just in leaky spots?

Thanks a zzzzzillion!

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:23 pm

GOOk, oyeah....I cut a strip about 1" wide, and about 3/4 inch shorter than the width of my 'target' area.( this is inside the chin cup of my 431). Then I shape it INTO the cup, even loosening it and using my chin to shape it in there. Over my nose is a little more complicated to get a good fit, as the moleskin( similar dimensions) has to be shaped over the nose so that it will conform to the seal without being too tight. This piece must be left long enough to stick onto the plastic of the mask or it will not stay in place. And the best part is that the moleskin, while sticking securely to plastic, only lightly adheres to silicone.......and will slip if not anchored. It removes very easily from the seal.Just apply it where you find the leaks. I try to avoid putting it too near the thin edges of the seal,as I want that area to be as flexible as possible, not to mention avoid possibly tearing it. Hope this helps.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:51 pm

Gidgie I would love to take credit for the moleskin suggestion but I shamelessly stole it from another user on the TAS site (plus I gotta send all those angry moles on a Snipe hunt). I actually tried the mole skin on the bridge of my nose but taking it off the next morning was no pleasure. Now I know what women and waxing is all about . I tried it on the flexi-fit 431 to stop leaks and it did help some but not enough in my case. I would still use it if I needed it but with the activa I don't have leaks anymore, well with exception to my mouth. Hey maybe moleskin across the mouth Naaaaaw, somebody will be thinking I ate the poor creature .

G00k · Post by **G00k** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:43 am

Thanks, Ms G... I might give that a try on my UMFF. Last night, though for a change I taped my mouth and put on the ol' ComfortGel and slept like the dead. And the tape I used didn't irritate me (J&J paper for sensitive skin ... forget the actual name; hypoallergenic).

Thanks again.

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:03 pm

Oh Darth, dear, did you read what I SAID? It goes on the MASK, not the NOSE! Wouldn't want you to mar your handsome puss by putting adhesive on it, and by the way, WHERE is your avatar? .........curious, like the cats..... Also, every user of the stuff will probably have different problem areas than I have. The only rule is that the soft fuzzy stuff goes next to your skin. What I do with it works for me. #1.........someday I'll have to tell you that joke..........

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:26 pm

hey gidgie--thanks. without you, i would not have known, honestly. but what do you mean that you shape it so it's looser--the cup or the moleskin? i assume you mean the cup.

caroline

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:15 pm

Caroline.......you shape it so the moleskin is looser, so you can peel it up of the plastic to make final adjustments when you have the mask on. Good luck! Gidgie........sleeping like a log.......

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:26 pm

I did a search for moleskin and found this thread where someone suggests using a chamois cloth. viewtopic.php?t=3109

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection