Beards

[BigG]

Anybody had any tips on getting a good seal with a full beard. I use an F30i mask as I am a side/front sleeper with a CPAP pillow. Any hints or tips would be appreciated.

[Reno]

I also have a beard, so I opted for a nasal pillow mask instead of a full face. I’ve never tried a full face mask, so I’m not sure. My knee-jerk reaction is to use nasal pillow and maybe a chin strap if you have a tendency to breathe through your mouth. (This may not work, though, in eliminating the mouth breathing)

It does seem however, according to here, that some people with beards do use full face masks. Opting for gel masks, or certain mask liners. Intus also have an article about beards and CPAP.

- Reno

[BigG]

Thanks Reno.

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

Thank you for your post.

If you breathe through your nose and your mouth then you would need a fill face mask.

With regards to getting a good seal with your mask, we would advise the following
1. Check you have the correct size mask for your face
2. Watch a fitting video on youtube for your mask to ensure you are putting it on and adjusting it correctly.
3. Adjust your mask whilst laying day rather than sitting up as your face is a different shape.

It will take a little while to get use to the mask, however some people do knock their masks when they turn over in their sleep.

It might be worth looking at the CPAP Pillow 2.0 if you are a side sleeper - https://www.cpap.co.uk/cpap-pillow-2-0.html
The pillow has cut out areas in each side of the pillow so you can overhang your mask into this area, rather than it making contact with the pillow and breaking the seal of the mask.

Kelly

[BigG]

Thank you both for your response. I have a CPAP pillow, but I am a mouth breather. The fitting videos are good, but they don't advise how tight the straps should be or what type of cushion fit around the mask should be. I set up every night using the mask seal setting whilst lying down. Yet due to moving whilst I sleep. The mask leaks, so wondered if it had anything to do with my beard. The leaks feel like they come from nose area. I wonder if trying something Vaseline around the nose will help?

[Reno]

I personally would not recommend vaseline as it would significantly shorten the life of your mask.

Unfortunately, full face masks are the worst for leaks. The straps should be adjusted to hold everything in place firmly, but they should not feel tight.

Some machines do have a mask fit check your can run before going to sleep. You may need a sleep technician to enable it for you. Obviously you can’t guarantee anything once you’re asleep, but should make sure you start on a good footing.

If you can’t improve the fitment, your mask may be the wrong size. You could also try mask liners to improve the fit. Short of that, I would expect trying a new mask would be your next choice. (or worse case, shaving. but let’s keep that as a last resort)

Another question is how bad is the leak? Some leaking may not be a big problem. You would know best by having a look at the sleep data stored on your CPAP machine. Your sleep technician should be able to look at this.

I’ve had some leaks show up in my data when I’ve opened my mouth while asleep, but its was short, like 10 minutes total but split up overnight. So in my case, it was nothing for me to worry about, and my AHI was still nice and low at 2.9.

[BigG]

Thanks Reno. I do set up each night using the mask seal setting on my machine and all is fine. Because there is an upper and lower strap adjustment. And my mask fits over my mouth but under my nose. I find it difficult to get a good seal rating overnight. I have tried lots of mask which has cost me a fortune. And the F30i is the most comfortable and best fit. This mask has air holes at the front plus in the tube ends each side. So it's really difficult to pinpoint the leaks. But I thinks it's from each side of my nose.

I was getting readings saying good seal but 20 plus events per hour. I phoned the hospital and they advised it was down to mask leaks. The past 2 nights have been much better. So I will persevere.