Sleep Apnea Support Group

Your skin might be reacting to the stuff the mask and straps are made of. I found this sight that offers wraps for the straps so they are not in contact with your skin:cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-products/misc" title="http://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-products/misc" target="_blank"> http://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cp... You may not have to buy their stuff but you can get an idea of how to get the straps off of your face and skin. Yeah every night is a challange Hope this helps.
-geomar

thank you for the site info

the headgear is terrible it leaves deep marks on the side of my face, i started using a different headgear that doesn't leave marks called comfort lite . i use the soft cup nasal mask but it doesn't last long then it begins leaking . i am awake half the night trying to adjust the mask. i have tried nasal pillows and i can't stand them .it is a constant struggle trying to get a decent nights sleep. i have been on cpap for a year . it is hard but i am slowly adjusting .

I made some strap covers by sewing some soft fleece into tubes, then put the straps thru them before attaching it to the mask. What's great is that I can take them off and wash them regularly. T-shirt fabric is good, too... but the fleece is softer and I never have face marks anymore.

I don't know I have the same problems. I try to wash the mask a lot to help with the pimples but the way they tell you to wash it is so annoyingly hard to take the whole mask apart. It is just infuriating. My mask said fewer parts and it has like 15 pieces.

I was having terrible rashes from the straps and mask--then I switched to the Comfort Lite. I was WONDERFUL. I love it. Then they went and changed the design to the Comfort Lite 2. Still better than the strap on your face masks, but I hate the headgear for the CL2.

Someone said something about having trouble with the nasal cushions...I'd suggest trying a different size. I don't like the nasal pillows. I don't like the sensation of something up my nose.

I started cleaning my mask every night with alcohol wipes. You can get them at the grocery store and they come in a pack of 100 (they are generally for diabetics, for needle sticks) for only a couple bucks. This is a heck of a lot easier than trying to clean it in the sink, but you should clean it in the sink atleast every two weeks.
Also, I rolled up two small swatches of guaze, taped them, then placed them up under the nose cushion part, then taped the plastic over them with water proof tape.
It really helps, cause my nose looked like someone was punching me!
My sleep doc thought my mask looked hilarious, but smart! :)

i am using a petite nasal mask and it is making the top row of my teeth sore i don't know if it is mashing on my teeth during the night or what . i ordered some soft tubes from the cpap store that slides over your mask straps and they are supposed to stop the marks. i haven't recieved them yet but hopefully they will work .

maybe make sure your skin is really dry before you put the mask on. No lotions or anything. It could be rubbing against the mask and causing the breakouts. Or you may be allergic to the plastic used. Tell your Sleep doc if you can that you want a new mask.