Allergic Reaction to Mask

[haggishunter]

Having been recently informed that I had sleep apnea and being provided with a pump and mask I have met a problem with the mask. When I wear the mask the skin on my nose and cheeks becomes irritated and painful. It appears that I am allergic to the silicone seal around the mask. I recently had a similar problem with a pair of glasses with a soft plastic nose piece at the top of my nose and only solved it by changing the frame to one that had hard plastic nose pieces.
I have tried two different makes of mask and tried all the recommendations made by the latest mask manufacturer, Resmed. I adjusted the mask to be as loose as possible consistent with a seal being achieved, I washed my face before using the mask. I tried using petroleum jelly smeared on the seal. All without success.
My solution is to use porous hypo-allergenic tape on the affected areas but this is a lot of bother to prepare each night and is a bit uncomfortable..
I am wondering if anyone has had a similar problem and found a simpler solution to the problem.
Any assistance on this matter would be much appreciated.
Haggishunter.

[SteveP]

I can sympathise with you... My wife had a similar problem with glasses a few years ago.

Regarding your mask, you may want to check out a product called Derma Shield (http://www.dermashield.co.uk). The nurse I saw about my nose dryness problem said that it is used by a few patients in her watch.

(I haven't tried it, my problem had nothing to do with allergies and was solved with a humidifier.)

Good luck!

SteveP

[DozyDaisy]

Silicon-free seal

Hello Steve

I am also allergic to the nose pads on glasses, and to silicon bands in clothing. I use a SleepNet mask and am having no problems. I cannot find out any info about this mask - it was issued by The National Hospital for Neurosurgery and Neurology. As soon as I can work out how to do so, I will upload a pic to the forums.

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays

Daisy

[puffin]

Derma Shield is a brilliant product, we used to use it all the time when I was in the print industry. Its a spray foam product. They used to demo it by applying to someones hands then run acid over them! Its a non greasy film on the skin.

Daisy, open a new post, move down the screen until you see Attach Files, click on Manage Attachments and follow instructions.

[Joe McManus]

Hi haggishunter, wlecome to the group!

A few days ago I came across a contact-less mask called CPAP Pro at www.nomask.com - it stays in place via a boil-and-bite mouthpiece. Reviews suggest it's more comfortable than you might initially expect.

This solution makes no contact with the facial skin, just ever so slightly with the nostrils. If you breathe through your nose, you may want to consider getting one from the US.

[Kipper]

I have had my CPAP for about a month, and had no trouble until about a week ago. I have a "sore spot" about halfway up my nose, in the crease where it joins my cheeks, one on each side. These are very sore and, naturally, are just where my mask touches. I at first thought these were just due to pigging out over Christmas, but they do not want to heal and make it very uncomfortable to wear my mask.
Is this what others have found - or is it just a coincidence and is due to pigging out???