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

Posted by SanibelSandy @sanibelsandy, May 6, 2017

I apparently have developed an allergy to silicone, which creates problems with my cPAP mask since they all seem to be made of silicone. Anyone know of other options? Solutions? I do use a barrier (Silent Night, RemZZs) but at times they slip and I end up with skin break-down.

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Profile picture for dancingcat @dancingcat

In the past month or so, my nose and surrounding area has become red. I have used a CPAP for years with the same type of mask, with silicone cushions, for most of this time with no such problem. Of the many different styles of masks that I had tried, this one, the under-the-nose DreamWear mask, is the most comfortable. I am looking for a solution.

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Hello @dancingcat, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. The CPAP mask is part that gives most of us the trouble. I think I have been through 6 or 7 different masks. I currently use a ResMed AirFit F20 full face mask with a CPAP comfort cover cover (https://cpapcomfortcover.com/). I tried the Dreamweaver under the nose mask but I have a deviated septum which causes issues with the nose breathing and it didn't work for me. I did find a padded cover that may help with nose and surrounding area problem you are having. The cloth cover made all the difference in the world for me. Here's a mask liner that works for your mask - https://www.padacheek.com/dreamwear-full-face

Another solution is the Sleepweaver line of non silicone masks: https://circadiance.com/sleepweaver/.

Dreamweaver was by far the most comfortable mask for me also when I was able to breath successfully through my nose. Now that I see someone has made a cloth cover I may switch back to the Dreamweaver mask (if I can find it!). Have you tried using a cloth cover between the mask and your face?

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Profile picture for John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop

Hello @dancingcat, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. The CPAP mask is part that gives most of us the trouble. I think I have been through 6 or 7 different masks. I currently use a ResMed AirFit F20 full face mask with a CPAP comfort cover cover (https://cpapcomfortcover.com/). I tried the Dreamweaver under the nose mask but I have a deviated septum which causes issues with the nose breathing and it didn't work for me. I did find a padded cover that may help with nose and surrounding area problem you are having. The cloth cover made all the difference in the world for me. Here's a mask liner that works for your mask - https://www.padacheek.com/dreamwear-full-face

Another solution is the Sleepweaver line of non silicone masks: https://circadiance.com/sleepweaver/.

Dreamweaver was by far the most comfortable mask for me also when I was able to breath successfully through my nose. Now that I see someone has made a cloth cover I may switch back to the Dreamweaver mask (if I can find it!). Have you tried using a cloth cover between the mask and your face?

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The web page for the cpapcomfortcover does have a ling for nasal cushions but on this pages states that "There are no products listed under this category." For their nasal mask page, there is nothing shown for my Dreamwear maks by Philips. Their link to email them is very confusing, so I was not successful.

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Profile picture for dancingcat @dancingcat

The web page for the cpapcomfortcover does have a ling for nasal cushions but on this pages states that "There are no products listed under this category." For their nasal mask page, there is nothing shown for my Dreamwear maks by Philips. Their link to email them is very confusing, so I was not successful.

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@dancingcat The web page does leave a lot to be desired but I think this is a direct link to the one for the Dreamwear Nasal Pillow mask -- https://www.padacheek.com/product-page/barrel-cozy-for-dreamwear-nasal-pillows-only.

@starfish had a similar problem and I believe switched to the cloth mask by Circadiance and may have some suggestions for you. Here is a link to their masks: https://circadiance.com/sleepweaver/

Are you able to work with your sleep medicine doctor or a local sleep medicine store and sleep therapist to help with the problem?

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Profile picture for John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop

@dancingcat The web page does leave a lot to be desired but I think this is a direct link to the one for the Dreamwear Nasal Pillow mask -- https://www.padacheek.com/product-page/barrel-cozy-for-dreamwear-nasal-pillows-only.

@starfish had a similar problem and I believe switched to the cloth mask by Circadiance and may have some suggestions for you. Here is a link to their masks: https://circadiance.com/sleepweaver/

Are you able to work with your sleep medicine doctor or a local sleep medicine store and sleep therapist to help with the problem?

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Thanks very much. This is the mask that I have. I have just sent a message to Pad a Cheek asking what the material is that contacts the nose directly. From the photos, it does not look to be cloth like the rest of the item. I do hope it is not silicone.

If I cannot find anything suitable myself, I will need to contact the provider of my CPAP. My sleep medicine MD didn't seem to know very much about the device when I saw him when I first started to use the CPAP.

This is a great forum. Thanks again.

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I am taking my findings to my personal doctor today with hopes he will write a prescription for a "soft material mask" that is supposed to be non-allergenic. I will keep you all posted.

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Has anyone had allergies and constantly sneezing, blowing nose or nose dripping like a faucet .. and started after using the cpap. I’ve always had allergies but this is beyond terrible. Because I’ve been allergic to band aids and all sorts of plastic and rubber type materials and thinking that all the tubing, mask and everything is made from one of these… what other option would there be?

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Profile picture for dshep2001 @dshep2001

Has anyone had allergies and constantly sneezing, blowing nose or nose dripping like a faucet .. and started after using the cpap. I’ve always had allergies but this is beyond terrible. Because I’ve been allergic to band aids and all sorts of plastic and rubber type materials and thinking that all the tubing, mask and everything is made from one of these… what other option would there be?

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Hi @dshep2001, welcome. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about silicone allergy and CPAP. I think you'll appreciate reading through past messages from members like @sanibelsandy @miniray @cpapboy @johnbishop and others. Several solutions and tips are shared in the discussion.

Dshep2001, since you're allergic to other things like Bandaids, plastic and rubber, an allergy seems to be a likely suspect to explore.

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Profile picture for dshep2001 @dshep2001

Has anyone had allergies and constantly sneezing, blowing nose or nose dripping like a faucet .. and started after using the cpap. I’ve always had allergies but this is beyond terrible. Because I’ve been allergic to band aids and all sorts of plastic and rubber type materials and thinking that all the tubing, mask and everything is made from one of these… what other option would there be?

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I’ve noticed I dripping nose just recently. I’ve had my C-Pap for over 5 years.

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I have also developed an allergy. It’s the pits. I’ll try anything.

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Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan

Hello @sanibelsandy, and welcome to Connect. Thank you for starting a conversation about silicone allergy and a cPAP mask. I did some research of my own and it does appear there are some masks that are made from a different type of gel, but it would be best to consult with your physician about the alternative mask types in case that you have an allergy to the other mask types as well.

While I search for some other members who also have a silicone allergy, would you mind sharing a bit more about your situation? How long have you been using a cPAP before you developed your allergy? Has your physician diagnosed your allergy and talked about any other alternatives?

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I’ve used a C-Pap for over 5 years. The allergy is relatively new. I’ve used a soclean machine for over 2 years. I often wonder if this has compounded the problem.

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