Allergic reaction to mask + SOLUTION

Thank goodness I found this site so quickly. I have had a cpap for about 5 years now, and only rarely had a slight problem---until now. Wow, my face is irritated with this new mask and I have broken out in red, pimply spots by my nose.

I just want to thank you all for the info. Going to get some M of M and also soak my mask. Sure hope that's all I will need, as I cannot sleep at all without my cpap. Other than this problem, I live the darn thing.

This actually helps me I am having issues with my mask and skin. I will give it a shot. Anything is better than having no solutions to try. thank you.

Thanks for posting all this information. As I am waiting for the results of my 2nd titration in less than a month, I have been concerned about my allergy to silicon. I have used a pad under my bra strap and got an red irritation. I waited a week for it to clear up and tried it again after scrubbing it in hot water. The product was 100% silicon. I didn't have it on very long and my skin blistered severely. So in knowing that the masks are made of silicon has had me worried since in the past having the silicon laying on my skin caused blistering. My face was irritated by the mask I used during the bi level ASV titration study. My pressure is going to be high and I'm a mouth breather, so a FFM will be used. I used 2 different masks during the titration studies. The first was the Quattro FX for her and they had to strap in on tight to keep it from leaking. The second titration study with the Auto SV, I tried the AirFit F10. I couldn't even move my head a fraction during the night or it leaked bad and she had to wake me up twice to adjust my mask during the night. So...to keep this on topic...I will be buying a cover as soon as I get my machine and know which mask will work for me.

BTW, for those who don't think people can be allergic to silicon...I have chemical allergies and what is silicon - it is a chemical element. I actually have testing schedule after the holiday to identify which agents I'm allergic to but he already told me my allergies are chemical in nature. Maybe after having a series of shots, I won't react so severely.

New page; time to remind people of the fabric masks by Sleepweaver:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -cpap.html
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -mask.html
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -mask.html

chunkyfrog wrote:New page; time to remind people of the fabric masks by Sleepweaver:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -cpap.html
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -mask.html
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -mask.html

Thanks, chunkyfrog. Do you know if the cloth mask will hold up to high pressure without leaking? The first titration study was at 20/14. I don't know what they had me on for the 2nd titration study with the ASV yet. Crazy holiday is delaying the doctor's response.

I don't have allergic reaction to my mask or silicon but ive heard and read on cpap sites and the sleep apnea association forum that some soaps you use for cleaning your equipment can effect the mask and also be hard on peoples skin as well. just for your information.

tlohse wrote:I don't have allergic reaction to my mask or silicon but ive heard and read on cpap sites and the sleep apnea association forum that some soaps you use for cleaning your equipment can effect the mask and also be hard on peoples skin as well. just for your information.

Thanks for the info, but I'm also allergic to most soaps too so I'm very picky with what I use. (I have gotten hand me down jeans, and had to re wash them about 10 times to get the soap smell out of them so I can wear them). I'm not sure what in the soap I'm allergic to yet. I can use ivory sensitive or dove sensitive soaps on my skin without a visible reaction except dry skin. Maybe my allergy testing will reveal exactly what I need to stay away from.

Ogeo wrote:BTW, for those who don't think people can be allergic to silicon...I have chemical allergies and what is silicon - it is a chemical element. I actually have testing schedule after the holiday to identify which agents I'm allergic to but he already told me my allergies are chemical in nature. Maybe after having a series of shots, I won't react so severely.

The mask is "silicone," not "silicon." That's a very important distinction.

I understand there are bilevel users wearing cloth masks (>20 cm);
but it would depend your ability to make the mask fit.
Learning how to wear a cloth mask requires a bit longer than silicone masks, but it is worth the effort.
Generalities, like the ones used by lazy doctors and greedy DME's are not true unless you believe them.
Faith and patience will help it fit. (---keep Tinkerbell alive, guys.)

archangle wrote:

Ogeo wrote:BTW, for those who don't think people can be allergic to silicon...I have chemical allergies and what is silicon - it is a chemical element. I actually have testing schedule after the holiday to identify which agents I'm allergic to but he already told me my allergies are chemical in nature. Maybe after having a series of shots, I won't react so severely.

The mask is "silicone," not "silicon." That's a very important distinction.

Sorry. I stand corrected. Silicone is made of silicon. It was my mistake to drop the "e" from what I had a reaction from. According to wikipedia - "Silicones are polymers that include silicon together with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes other elements." To me, it is still a mixture of chemicals. I also have a reaction to hyper-allergenic bandages too. After my allergy testing I might be able to identify more clearly which items to stay away from.

For now, though, I will try to protect myself from having contact with items I know I have a reaction to. That means either a cover to go around my mask or the cloth mask that was suggested. I am just trying be prepared by reading what others have done so I will know what to do when they tell me which machine they want me on - either a bi-level or a ASV. I will probably buy a box of mask liners to use until I figure out what mask will work best, then buy a "pad a cheek" cover.

Thanks everyone for all your helpful advice. And thanks for the response chunkyfrog on the cloth mask.

I have used cpap with full face mask for about 20 years but recently developed a severe reaction on the bridge of my nose to my full face mask - reddish marks, blister like symptoms and pimply breakouts which bled. My skin specialist thought that it might be cancer and took a biopsy which concluded that it was not cancer but "incipient epidermal and dermal necrosis". The specialist advised that this was a very serious situation and recommended an immediate stop to my use of the mask. She thought it might involve an allergic reaction to the silicone composite material used in the mask pad.

When I switched to a new, different brand, below the nose mask with a silicone composite material in the mask pad, after the first night the tip of my nose developed reddish marks and pimply breakouts which bled.

Because I need to use cpap - my father died young in his sleep - I am persevering with a different, below the nose mask.

Has anyone else suffered this problem and what do they do to resolve it?

concerned

The first thought that comes to mind is to try a mask liner. You can try making your own or order one from padacheek.com. The owner, Karen is a member of the forum and is also a cpap user. She makes quality products and will work with you if you have a special need.