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Allergy to CPAP silicone - suggestions ?
Sleep Health | Last Active: Dec 27, 2024 | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
I hear you... had lots of trouble with a silicone mask and facial rash. I need my mask to be fairly tight since my pressures are relatively high.
Sleep doc suggested a light application of 10% hydrocortisone cream which is not recommended to do more than a few days - it didn't help me. I did try a half dose of Benedryl which helped some, but had other side effects. Was tempted to try something with aloe in it.
I swapped to a memory foam mask which solved the allergic reaction, but it still causes redness where it makes contact and dents where the straps dig in. I couldn't find a cloth cover for that and tried making my own which ended up being impractical. Have tried adjusting the tightness to have the minimum tightness while ensuring minimal large leaks.
I use reverse osmosis purified water in the tank and clean the tank periodically - I use my electric toothbrush. The CPAP appears be inhaling dirt through the filter. The use of hydrogen peroxide to sanitize the tank sounds like a good idea, may also be worthwhile to flush the hose with it.
That said, I'm looking for a better fitting mask, a better CPAP intake air filter if they make them, an inline filter for the hose and will take another try to find a mask cover.
Replies to "I hear you... had lots of trouble with a silicone mask and facial rash. I need..."
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I have low and steady pressure, with a max inspiration of 8.5 mm/H2O. So, I can afford to leave my strapping looser, but it does mean more leaks when deeply asleep. So, I learned to sleep on my side, almost exclusively, and to fold my arms, and my wrists, and tuck my hands on either side of my face, close to the mask. This might sound weird, but it actually prevents all but the most egregious of leaks. Most importantly, if you get little puffs and noises that alert you as you're trying to fall asleep at bedtime, this is detrimental as it tends to go on until you fall asleep out of plumb good luck. The bent wrists, with the backs of my fingers against my cheeks and chin, is something you'd have to get used to, but it works really well. It provides a bumping post of sorts against whichever side of your face the pillow is supporting, and prevents displacement or distortion of the seal by the pillow material. Might be worth trying it. If it works, you can loosen them straps a smidge.
Try the Barriere Cream. It works very well for pressure/contact sores and welts, and for 'contact dermatitis.' My wife steals my tube all the time because she learned that it works well for her needs, and she's very finicky about stuff.
As for better filters, the ones they provide are good, but they're not 'HEPA' variety. I think you can find them, but I have no links as I seem to be fine and have never sought them. Or, look for a material of that nature, with about the same thickness, and simply cut out from a sheet of that material what will fit properly and do the job.