Mask Question for New CAP User

[LilacCurtains]

Hello,

I've been diagnosed with moderate OSA and collected my Resmed Airsense 10 Elite last week. I was given the Resmed Airfit F20 mask in small. I know it's very early days and I'm 100% committed to using the machine but I'm having some issues and hope someone can help?

I really don't like the full-face mask - as soon as I put it on, I feel like I can't breathe, my skin itches like crazy throughout the night and I wake up more than I ever did, due to issues with the mask. It often feels like I've been dribbling and that there's water pooling but when I check, there's nothing there.

I'm a restless side-sleeper and nose breather - does anyone have any help and tips?

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Afternoon

Thank you for your post.

The mask type you need to use, depends upon how you breathe. If you breathe through you nose only, you can use a nasal pillow or nasal cushion mask. If you breathe through your nose and mask (ie if you snore) then you need to use a full face mask.

Do you know how you breathe?

If you breathe through your nose and mouth, and need a full face mask, then...
1. Is the mask the right size for you? Click onto the product page for this mask and scroll down to the downloads tab to download and print off the sizing guide - https://www.cpap.co.uk/resmed-airfit...406-63407.html
2. Have you watched an ResMed Airfit F20 mask fitting video on youtube to ensure you are putting it on and adjusting it correctly?
3. When you say your skin itches, is this just the part the mask cushion (the soft part) which sits on your face, or all over?
If just where the cushion sits then I would suggest trying a sample pack of RemZzzs mask liners - https://www.cpap.co.uk/remzzzs-cpap-...sk-liners.html
These are a A soft cotton fabric liner creates a barrier, absorbs skin oils and reduces air leaks as well as skin irritation and pressure marks. You just need to scroll down to the compatibility chart to find your mask and mask size to see which options you need to choose from the drop down menus.
4. How many nights have you used the CPAP equipment for? There is always an adjustment period when new to CPAP or changing your equipment.

If you can let me know about the above, then we can go from there.

Kelly

[LilacCurtains]

Hello Kelly,

Thanks for the response and my answers are below:

I'm a nose-breather, side sleeper and a very restless sleeper.

1. The mask was "fitted" by a practitioner during a consultation

2. Yes and the practitioner showed me.

3. It's the area within the mask ie not where it sits. I clean it every day.

4. 7 nights and lots of practice sessions

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your response.

If you breathe through your nose only, then you would need a nasal mask. These types of mask will be easier to sleep in
1. Nasal Cushion Mask (mask goes over your nose) https://www.cpap.co.uk/shop/cpap-masks/nasal-masks.html
2. Nasal Pillow mask (goes onto your nostril area) - https://www.cpap.co.uk/shop/cpap-mas...pap-masks.html

So the skin irritation is the area within the cushion which covers your nose and mouth that itches? Can I kindly ask what and how you clean your mask with?

Kelly

[LilacCurtains]

Hello,

I clean my mask daily in warm, soapy water and then air-dry. I use the same mild soap that I use for my hands and body ie SLS-free, fragrance-free, parabens-free, alcohol-free

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Afternoon

Thank you for your email.

Normally the skin irritation is where the cushion sits on the face.

Do you think it is irritation due to dry skin from using the CPAP machine?

Have you tried calling the hospital/clinic that you got the equipment from?

Kelly

[LilacCurtains]

Thanks so much for the help - I don't think it's dry skin as I try extra hard to keep my skin hydrated (the practitioner advised this) but not so much that it means that the seal is compromised. I'm waiting for a call-back from the clinic :-)

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Afternoon,

Lets see what the clinic says, and go from there. It might be a reaction to the mask, but normally this is on the area the mask sits on.

Kelly