British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Hello -I Have had my CPAP about 15 months now and like most of us don't really like, it but as the wife say's i've got to wear it, so after a recent m/c test at the Hospital and finally being told how to wear the mask, and adjust it fairly tightly and also how to slacken the big bolt at the top and then adjust the straps if it leaks I now find I can use it for about 4-5 hours a night. I would honestly now like to keep it on longer, save for a couple of problems. Firstly my mouth gets very dry even after a short time of wearing the mask. When I wore the mask on the few occasions last winter I tried the Humidifier, but that didn't seem to do anything, does it make a difference, am I supposed to feel warm air when using it.

The second problem is my face at times gets itchy when wearing the mask, this normally happens shortly after I put the mask on at night and start to relax, so then I have to take the mask off have a quick scratch and put the mask back on again. This can happen weather I wash my face or not and it's not air escaping.

Best Regards
Harry

Hi Harry,

What are you using?

I don't know what kind of mask you have got, but if it is a nasal mask and your mouth is getting dry you could be opening your mouth in your sleep. The machine pumps the air in through the nose and instead of keeping your airway open it rushes out of the mouth drying it up on the way.

I had that problem and tried to change position to support my chin with the pillow on my side but have had to take up use of an extra strap under the chin. I know when I have been getting past this as my tongue is bone dry and I can't even salivate. It took me as long to get the chin strap to work as the mask but now I fasten it over my head and under the chin and fasten it to the mask straps with velcro patches. The picture on the packet shows it differently but it did not hold.

It has made the difference although after a few pints I have problems more often.

Without the humidifier, I had dry nasal passages and some nose bleeds. The humidifier made it much more comfortable and I would not like to have to do without. I have had recent problems with rainout (condensing water in the tube which feels like a spray in the mask and can disturb sleep - which thanks to help from others on this forum I am currently trying to fix. I have now a cover for the tube from ResMed and have just recieved a heated tube from Australia for which I now need to buy a power block from Maplins) but the humidifier is generally very much more comfortable. There are lots of posts about humidifiers and people generally seem to appreciate them.

I can only sympathise about mask irritation. I wash mine in a warm solution of fairy liquid as I was told at the clinic and make sure they are well rinsed. I do that every day although I was told I could simply wipe the mask. Generally that causes no problem.

Not sure if that helps, but good luck.

Martin

Hi Big H welcome to the forum site.

Firstly the humidifier should blow warm moist air into the mask and you should not have any dryness in your mouth if its used correctly.
Perhaps the temp settings need adjusting to make it warmer air ???

With regard to the mask you mention that you have the straps rather tight ??? overtightening is as bad as loose fitting straps perhaps having them this tight may be making your face sweat and then it becomes itchy ???

Also you could be allergic to the sillicon mask seal ???.

Regards,

Hi Big Harry,

If you get dryness you need to use a humidifier, start at a low setting and turn it up slightly until the dryness stops.
Other thing with a dry mouth is the mouth opening during the night and air escaping causing dryness of the mouth. If this is the case you may have to use a full face mask or try a chin strap.

Hi,

I did have problems with opening my mouth and getting really dry on nasal CPAP masks. They tried me with a full face mask which I loved (A Respironics full) it was so comfortable. However, I couldn't control the leaks as I moved about in bed. I did find the chin strap worked better overall although I hated it at first.

Some people must find the full face masks effective and I am quite sorry I could not make it so for me.

Cheers,

Martin

Regarding itchy skin:
I get very dry skin where the air blows. I find that using Aloe Vera gel about half an hour before I put the mask on does help. And doesn't seem to interfere with the seal.

Basically, no.

The purpose of a humidifier is to put moisture into the air flow, NOT to heat the air flow going to your mask. The humidifier will heat the water quite mildly to encourage release of water molecules into the air flow, but it will not transfer much (if any) heat into the air.

Cheers,

Bill

there is another product to try if you have a problem with the dry mouth.i can not wear a mask with my mouth wide open. I like using a snoreseal. it is a disposable baffle like strip that goes on your lips.

please help my daughter is ten and for the last few weeks she had had a very dry red with mask around her mouth someday its noticable around her eyes to we have been to the doctors and ive put the cream on her it looks force when shes been outside please help

Try not to laugh too loudly. You can get a green tinted makeup foundation cream from Boots - no 7 range I think - which helps counteract redness ... used by ladies who suffer from Rosacea. This might help. In the short term, Ponds Cold Cream or Aveeno Creme both absorb very quickly, smell nice and will keep sensitive skin moisturised.