CPAP silicone allergy: Anyone know of other options? Solutions?

So, coming up on a month with the Airtouch mask and things are going well. No skin irritation or breakdown. So far this mask is a win! Not showing any wear on the mask/cushion as yet. Bottom line: I am loving this mask! My husband has even expressed interest in trying the mask himself, which is saying a lot.

@sanibelsandy

Does the Airtouch make a better seal than the traditional one? I switched to the nasal from the full face, and from CPAP to BIPAP. My sleep study indicated that the nasal mask performed better than the full face, so the doctor had me change. Maybe you didn't have trouble with leaking.

Jim

Jim, I can't personally compare the Airtouch to the standard full face mask as prior to starting with the Airtouch I was using a nasal mask (Lady ZestQ). I switched to the full face because the Airtouch is not available in a nasal mask. However, my daughter and son-in-law were recently here for a visit. I was telling my daughter about my new mask and when I pulled it out to show her, she started laughing and said, "That's (my husband's) mask!" My son-in-law has severe apnea and his cPAP is set at a high pressure. He has had many problems with air leaks and has tried a number of different masks. My daughter said he loves the Airtouch and has had no problem with leaks since he switched to it. (Personally I feel I have fewer problems with air leaks with the Airtouch and I feel that I am sleeping better since I switched. That is subjective; I haven't had my stats reviewed so don't have any quantitative/qualitative data on that.) I hope this helps. So far, I'm sold on the Airtouch. 🙂

After two months with the AirTouch I am absolutely satisfied with this mask. No irritation, no pressure sores, decreased leaks, better sleep--what more can I say. Oh, yeah, my husband now has an AirTouch and is very happy with it. He has scars on the bridge of his nose from sores from previous masks. He has for years put a piece of tape across the bridge to prevent the sores. He has a "crease" at the corner of his mouth as a result of an automobile accident when he was young. He was putting a pad in that area with his old mask because the mask did not conform to that crease and it leaked. With the AirTouch, he has discontinued the tape strip and the pad for that crease. No leaking and no irritation. He said he feels he is sleeping better. So in this house you have two definite fans of the AirTouch!

I agree with your review of the mask. It did not solve my problem of swallowing air, but it was the only full face mask that I have ever found comfortable.

@sanibelsandy

Is Air Touch available with BIPAP? I switched from CPAP to BIPAP several months ago. I think that the nasal pillows are working very well for me, even though I was a mouth breather all my life until I had surgery for a deviated septum. I don't know how much I breathe through my mouth now. I do know that I wake up with such a dry mouth that I can't swallow a couple of times a night. Of course, dry mouth is a side effect of several of my meds.

I'm glad you've found something that works so well for you and your family.

Jim

Yes, Jim. I wear a BiPAP and the mask is interchangeable

@gman007

I'll ask my supplier if I can try the air touch.

Jim

Tell them you are swallowing air and have dry mouth issues. That gives them a clinical reason to sell your insurance a new one and, in my case, I order a new facial part of the mask every 30 days as it is made from memory foam. Good luck, it is very comfortable and I hate the full face variety.

My wife is allergic to silicone. She wears the SleepWeaver Anew, an all-cloth mask, and has no trouble with it. It's available online and from some medical supply stores.

It's really a hassle, since almost all respiratory stuff is made of silicone. We wrap the oxygen tubing in tape to prevent contact.