itchy nose with CPAP mask - Sleep Disorders Message Board

SnapShot55 · 06-26-2004, 09:57 AM

I am a new CPAP user, about a month. I'm now on mask number four. The biggest problem I am having is an itchy nose--on the outside of my nose. It starts within a few minutes of putting on the mask making it difficult to fall asleep. Then if I do go to sleep, I wake up with my nose itching. Any ideas on how to stop this? I've got to make this work. I really flunked the sleep test. Something like 35 incidents per hour and a 49% O2 rating. Thanks.

jeh rpsgt · 06-26-2004, 01:49 PM

So what kind of mask are you using? You might have an allergy to the mask, some of them have parts made from latex. I highly recommend a mask that uses nasal pillows instead of covering your whole nose. You can either go with one called an Adams Circuit or the Breeze. The Breeze is the best mask I've seen. I use it myself and have my patients try it.

SnapShot55 · 06-27-2004, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeh rpsgt

So what kind of mask are you using? You might have an allergy to the mask, some of them have parts made from latex. I highly recommend a mask that uses nasal pillows instead of covering your whole nose. You can either go with one called an Adams Circuit or the Breeze. The Breeze is the best mask I've seen. I use it myself and have my patients try it.

Thank you for the reply. I am using the ResMed Mirage Vista. My nose does not itch every night, just most nights. But even when there is no itching, my skin around the seal seems to get sweaty, greasy or whatever and the mask begins to leak during the night.

The first mask I tried was the Respironics ComfortLite. The problem with it is two-fold. One, in order to get a good seal you have to set it where it presses tightly against the nose. In a couple of days my nose is very sore. Two, it knocks around easy in my sleep and I wake up with it so out of position that it is just blowing air around.

I've also tried the Nasal Aire II. I won't stay in place five minutes, and it's loud! And I gave the Oracle a shot. I couldn't even fall asleep with it.

So as you can see, I've spent a fair amount of money trying to get this to work. How do the Breeze and the Adam Circuit compare to my concerns with the ComfortLite?

Thanks again!

critical · 06-27-2004, 07:10 AM

Why not try to protect your nose; I find that using a silicone based cream, or just plain vaseline helps to prevent exposures (from my latex allergy), by adding an extra layer of protection. You could also try a mask product, or a zinc based cream like those used on babies for diaper rash..may seem silly but the premise is still the same. If it is an adjustment issue, you could also give a lidocaine mixture like teething gel a try to make your nose less senstive to the irritation. Good Luck

jeh rpsgt · 06-27-2004, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnapShot55

Thank you for the reply. I am using the ResMed Mirage Vista. My nose does not itch every night, just most nights. But even when there is no itching, my skin around the seal seems to get sweaty, greasy or whatever and the mask begins to leak during the night.

The first mask I tried was the Respironics ComfortLite. The problem with it is two-fold. One, in order to get a good seal you have to set it where it presses tightly against the nose. In a couple of days my nose is very sore. Two, it knocks around easy in my sleep and I wake up with it so out of position that it is just blowing air around.

I've also tried the Nasal Aire II. I won't stay in place five minutes, and it's loud! And I gave the Oracle a shot. I couldn't even fall asleep with it.

So as you can see, I've spent a fair amount of money trying to get this to work. How do the Breeze and the Adam Circuit compare to my concerns with the ComfortLite?

Thanks again!

The Mirage is a pretty good mask. Do you use a humidifier? Just wondering if that's causing the condensation. Yeah the Nasal Aire masks might be the worse i've ever seen. The Breeze is different than the Adams Circuit because it doesn't have any straps that go across your face. It's a very good design. With either one, the nasal pillows just sit right on your nostrils so it might feel better than going over your whole nose. You might want to look it up and find some pictures of it just so see the concept.