Does the CPAP Mask cause puffiness and dark circles under your eyes?

Hello @cece55, There are many causes of waking with puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. You can research that. The last thing I read was drinking too much water before bed causes the liquid to build up underneath your eyes--not sure if I buy into that. Personally, due to allergies and heredity, I have always had under-eye puffiness and dark circles. I hate it. If I had to guess, I would not blame the mask. That being said, previous masks and even the nasal pillows I use now squeeze my face into an ugly, puffy looking shape. With masks, I have had problems waking up with creases on my face in the mask area and other areas, and masks sometimes contort your face so maybe pressure pushed upward toward my eyes. Sleep docs and respiratory therapists will tell you that it is not good to strap your mask too tight and that a tiny bit of leakage is normal, but the leakage wakes me up and I spend the whole night adjusting my mask, quite counterproductive to a good night of sleep. I am curious about the heated tubing because I have never tried it, but if it is warm in Florida and you don't need the heated tubing, I personally would try exchanging for regular tubing (not medical advice, just what I would do.) Do you really need the heated tubing as in medically or because it is too cold breathing without it? I live in a house with no heat and very little insulation, so it gets nippy in the winter, but I have never been offered or needed heated tubing? What kind of machine do you have? I don't know about my previous machine, but it recently was replaced with a DreamStation Auto which has the option to turn on preheating of the humidifier tank, prior to use. That might help, depending on your machine. Honestly, I am more comfortable breathing cooler air. I need the humidity, but the heat feels suffocating to me, a bit of a dilemma.

The short answer to your question: I believe when I used full-face masks, I experienced some increased puffiness, but that was quite a while ago. Now, using the nasal pillows, I have not noticed any excessive puffiness but I don't always pay attention these days since I'm not working. I don't know if I helped you at all, but that is my story and I'm sticking to it. @johnbishop I know you have been stalking my posts. 😂😂 Do you have any issues with increased puffiness or dark circles under your eyes that you can trace to your mask? With all your mask issues, I think if anyone was going to help with this issue it could be you.

Thank you for responding so quickly! I do drink quite a bit of water before bed. I have never tied the two together. There are some pills that I have to take with a full glass of water and most of the time I drink Sleepy Time Tea before bed. I will try to reduce the water and see what happens.

As for the heated tube, I have always used it and the humidifier but I raised the number during the winter. In north Florida it can still get cold...it is not cold anymore! It is 92 right now! 🙂 I will bring the heat and humidifier all the way down and limit water and see what happens.

I am curious as to what John Bishop will say. He really helped me in my early months of tolerating the CPAP.

I don't like these raccoon eyes....but again...there are more important things to worry about.

Thanks again...CeCe55

Thanks for the tag @ilovedoodie -- Hello @cece55, I've had the proverbal CPAP nose from my mask before I found a cloth CPAP comfort cover for the mask but I've never had a problem with puffiness under the eyes or dark circles. I was able to find some information that may be helpful as it seems to be a common problem according to the article I read.

Puffy eyes from CPAP -- https://www.sleep-apnea-guide.com/puffy-eyes-from-cpap.html

Hope this helps!

Hello John,

I found the same post last night when I decided to research this. I did try to loosen my mask last night but did not get a good night's sleep. I kept waking up and adjusting it. The Air Vent on my mask does not direct the air to my eyes...I might have blocked ducts...only an opthamologist could probably advise. I just am surprised at how I look, being that I am getting 7 to 8 hours of great sleep per night. I don't look refreshed...but I feel fine.

I came across quite a bit of posts about the same problem with other CPAP users but wanted to try MayoConnect and all my CPAP friends who always have such great advice.

Thank You...CeCe55

@cece55 -- One thing that has helped me keep the hose adjusted to keep the air out of my eyes from the face mask elbow is a hose stand that I slide under the mattress and it holds the hose above my head so I don't have to worry about laying on it or it getting tangled. Basically I can point the hose end of the elbow connector upwards.
https://www.amazon.com/Eliminate-Tangles-CPAP-Hose-Holder/dp/B003UAHWOE
I do have those nights too. I normally get 8 hours or close every night but still have some mornings that I don't feel refreshed but my issue is more related to hip pain and sleeping on my side and a lot of tossing and turning at night.

@cece55- Hello again! The only other thing I can think of is whether your mask straps are to tight? That was a problem I had years back and since loosening them I've had less marks on my face in the morning and a lot more comfortable to wear. You got to find the "sweet spot" where you mask is loose enough, yet not so loose to cause mask leak. Not sure about the darker circles under your eyes though? Happy Zzzz's Jim@thankful

Maybe drink all pills that need a full glass of water a little earlier in the evening. I have moved some of my meds to about halfway between dinner and bedtime and it has helped, not with my eyes necessarily but with my sleep and AHI results. Also, remember that a full glass of water unless specified is only 8 oz, just a cup. When I hear a full glass of water I think of tall glass, but that is inaccurate. I doubt an 8 oz cup of Sleepy Time Tea will mess up your eyes, but again, you could drink it a bit earlier also and give it time to make you sleepy. 😉 Keep us posted on your results.

@johnbishop I am dying laughing about the cord entanglement situation. It does not happen with my current setup because the hose extends from the top of the frame, but often in the past I have woken up with the hose wrapped completely around my neck. No lie. I am a very restless sleeper. I have never had a hose stand, but I have used velcro straps to strap the hose to my headboard keeping it above and to the side of my head. I just have to make sure I have left myself enough room to move around. 😬

P.S. I tried those mask comfort dohickeys and absolutely hated it and could not make it work for me.

BTW, I meant "take" not "drink" your pills. 😁