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

Consider also using Circadian cloth masks. Some DMEs carry it, but I know online retailers do. They have a couple types of nasal masks and one full face mask. Some leaks, but at least they don't have latex or silicon.

Hi, @taran - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for the tip on the circadian cloth masks for those who need to avoid silicone or latex.

Do you have sleep apnea and use this kind of mask?

Yes, I have an Airsense for Her. While I primarily use Airfit P10 or Dreamwear, i do use the Circadiance (I spelled wrong before) SleepWeaver Advance Nasal CPAP Mask with Improved Zzzephyr Seal. I primarily use it when I have sinus problems as my cheeks hurt then. There is also the Elan which has a replaceable 'cushion'. A number of online retailers carry the fit pack so that you can determine which size fits you best with the fewest leaks.

I also have a silicone allergic reaction to my cpap attachments. I’ve had it for 16 mos. i had to change from face mask to the dreamwork pillows which touch my skin minimally under my nose. It helps for me to put carmax where the pillows touch, before and after use. My cpap supplier, apria, supplies me with cloth slips that have light velcro to cover like a wrap, from nose to ear to minimize skin contact. My face no longer has the “singed” look from the cpap products. I still get reactions, but rarely and lightly -usually when i forget my carmax. ** not sure if this could happen to you, but Be aware that some gel nail products have silicon and will cause damage to the nails. It happened to me simply with using gel nail paints.

Thank you all for posting. I am so relieved to know that I am not alone in having an allergy to the silicone on the cpap machine and that there seems to be an alternative to try.
I am allergic to not only the silicone on the cpap machine but also the substance they make mouth guards out of, the dentists gloves where he touches my lips and dexon suture stitching thread used in some surgery.

The cpap machine is vital to my quality of life and very much needed so I definitely need to find a solution.

@miniray l also had issues with the capc mask, l hated the mask then l tried the nose pillows which was okay. I was a to tolerate it. Then when l went to my pulmonologist. I saw some new mask. They have this new mask that goes across your face and you connect either the pillow that goes directly in your nose and then they have one where there is a wide like split and the air goes right through it and it goes to your nose. And the strap goes around your head and the tube connection from the machine to the head care is on the top. You have to make sure you connect it correctly and they have it written on the head gear as well as whichever nose peace you use. Now it is silicon so l don't know if you could maybe tie scotch tape around it or something else you might not be allergic too. You might check the medical supply stores, look online medical supply stores or see if there are any new type of machines but talk to your doctor also. He might know of something else. I go to my pulmonologist sometimes they know more since that's their specialty at least that was in my case. Hope that helps

I have been using a nasal pillow CPAP for many years and a year ago began developing a what we believe to be contact dermatitis around my eyes and exactly where the sillicone straps go along my cheeks. I have tried so many masks and have removed the fabric covers on the ResMed masks thinking that the fabric was the problem, but it seems to be the actual sillicone that is causing the problem. I need to find a solution...is there a mask that is not made using sillicone? Thank you for your help!

Hi, @rooster53 - I'd like to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is too bad that after using your CPAP for many years you started developing what you believe to be contact dermatitis where the silicone goes along your face.

I am hoping that some of the members in this discussion, like @sanibelsandy @bernese53 @steventomer @taran @delolulara and others may have some ideas for you of masks not made of silicone.

@rooster53 - did your doctor have any input on what was going on with your facial reaction and how to proceed?

Question for CPAP users with allergy to silicone - does anyone also experience significant edema / collection of fluid / around the eyes? I have this problem. I don't know whether it is an allergy to silicone, or whether the mask itself presses on lymph ducts which would otherwise drain excess fluid from around the eyes. I sleep on my side; whichever side is closer to the bed is always more swollen in the morning. This swelling recedes during the day but never disappears. As I have continued to use my CPAP equipment, this swelling has become more significant. It now sometimes extends beyond the "baggy eye" area below each eye into the cheek area and into the area outside each eye.
I'm a new CPAP user and have used a ResMed Airfit P10 nasal pillows mask since June 2018. The mask straps have a thin stretchable fabric over a stiff plastic frame. My skin directly underneath the straps, as well as areas between the straps and the nasal pillows, are always irritated and have a rash with small to medium red and sometimes infected bumps.
Discovering this website and discussion between users with silicone allergies has been very reassuring. Now I will look for fabric pads for my current mask and straps. If necessary I will change the type of mask I use.
However, I still have not found any documented causes of swelling around the eyelids. Suggestions welcome.

I was being treated with a ResMed Mask AirFit F20 Mask that has caused ulcers on my nose, marks on face which got worse after weight loss. The bridge on nose and sinus area were/are extremely painful. I kept on appealing to doctors to see what is causing this mask to have such effects as the supplier would not address these issues. My sleep was severely reduced to the point that it could be limited to one hour or non-existent. Trying to research this face mask often the manufacturer would intercede and not address issue at all. What I noticed was the continuous needed movement of the straps once the pain became increasingly worse. I had lost 40 lbs over too quick a period. Nasal Masks fall off face.
i noticed the mask had two areas near the top with additional internal areas of stiffer plastic that may be cause. Another thing I noticed was that trying to get pads for mask are questionable. Some people say my mask has no padding. If it did why did the supplier for our insurance not bring them forward? Instead, I see when I look up these people claiming to be experts are making a profit if you order the mask through Amazon.

I would really like to see if anyone else has had ulcers that have been addressed by their doctors and providers.

Take care,

Jane Brown