Monkey face cure......

[g3az66]

Does any one have a simple solution to 'monkey face' syndrome

Is there a cream/moisturiser that anyone uses to alleviate the redness?

I have been using my CPAP with a nasal mask for nearly a fortnight now and the redness is starting to show and lasts throughout the day

[Tigers Fan]

Que???

Hig3az66

What is 'monkey face' syndrome with a nasal mask?

Whatever, redness lasting through the day sounds like over-tightened headgear - which is resolved by loosening the straps till just before leaks begin.

TF

[ElleCee]

Hi Gaz,

I use a full face mask and I get that on the bridge of my nose only, it is due to pressure.
If you find the answer I would love to know it. My mask is really loose and it doesn't feel tight over my nose but it is permantly red. (Looks like I have been wearing glassses) I was given a nazal pillow to give my nose a rest but I cant get on with it. At the moment I am using the RemZzzs liners as normal but folding another one up and putting that on my nose for more cushioning.

Lorraine

[g3az66]

Thanks for the reply TP.... monkey face syndrome is just my stupid wit describing the redness around my nose due to my mask

I have started to experiment with my straps etc. on my mask to cure this problem....

[tallishbloke]

Dear all

As tigers fan suggests, at least some of the problem may be having the mask headgear too tightly fitted. Marking in mos areas of the face will settle, but the area on the bridge of the nose should be treated with particular care as there is no cushioning there, just a thin layer of skin and then bone / cartiledge, hence it is very easy for the skin to break down , and then you can wear the mask at all. Many masks have adustement near the top of the mask to adjust the tightness across the bridge of the nose without adjusting the headgear.
A viable alternative to using a standard full facemask is the use of a hybrid full facemask (such as the Resmed Liberty) as suggested on another thread in this section. This simply goes around your mouth and has a couple of nasal prongs too.
If you continue to get redness with this type of mask then this may just be clownface syndrome rather than monkeyface.... haha!

Good luck

T

[Tigers Fan]

Allegedly ......

.......for many CPAP skin ailments - very much including sore bridge of nose - there is a new product, recently in from the States, called 'CPAP Moisturiser'. It does not contain petroleum based ingredients and therefore does not react with with your mask, I'm told.

It contains all sorts of goodies to make it interesting to our women readers, I believe, and comes in a pinky-purple tube. It works wonder on the dry skin behind my ears, caused by a hearing aid and spectacles - I thinlk.

Obtainable from hope2sleep in UK - fact.

TF

[countyDownMum]

Wearing Headgear

I have got velco strips which I fit on the straps of this mask. They are comfy to wear and I have no markings on my face. I got them from America but need2sleep will have them too. The colour I picked is bright red.

[OldCrow]

Monkey face

Might be your mask is a bit tight - I began to look like a baboon in the morning with a white ring around my face. Also found it cutting into the bridge of my nose. Eventually I've settled on a looser fit, which floats properly and I'm not so simian now.

[g3az66]

Thanks

Thanks for all your advice people.....

I think I have finally cracked it by fixing the mask to my face using the velcro fastenings as loose as possible. Then I tightened it up using an adjuster that sits on the top of the mask until it no longer leaked. It now 'floats' like others have suggested and I no longer have any red marks.....

[OldCrow]

There is a "Just Right" fit

Great! Hope it works for you. I had all sorts of problems with leaks and crushed nose/monkey face until I had a fitting session. I don't think one is ever going to have no leaks ever but there is a fit that is just right to allow the mask to float and seal itself ..and, as you have found it's not having it tighter as one might suppose. There is also the issue of how you have hose lead out as others have mentioned as this can pull on the mask. Some have used a special sort of hook stand, others lead the hose over the bed-head. Myself it goes under a spare pillow before leading up from below.