Has anyone had skin abrasions or sores from using a nasal mask? I try loosening it every night, but I still wake up with skin abrasions around the side of my nose and the bridge of my nose.

Despite all my CPAP problems, I've never really suffered from skin abrasions, although I hear they're a very common problem.

The only way I know to deal with them, other than proper mask fitment, is to use a good-quality skin protectant like Vaseline or Aquaphor. You probably won't be able to put it on at night though, because it would likely foul your silicone seal and cause mask leaks. They could even break down the silicone over time.

Good luck! Carl

I was told KY is better. Non petroleam. Brian

KY is not marketed or represented as a skin protectant, but as a "personal lubricant". So I don't think you'd find it useful unless you're into "mask sex"!

Er...not that there's anything wrong with that! Carl

What I've found that works Great is to buy some medical tape. (the kind that's almost seethrough, and allows you skin to breathe. Cut a 1/2" x 1" strip, and place it over the bridge of your nose. (the spot that rubs the mask) I have had no leaks, and the marks/sores are completely gone. Been going strong for a week now.

Huh, that's a good idea. Sort of like a "mask bearing" - it rubs the bearing (the tape) rather than your skin, yet makes a good seal.

Cool. :D

I'm guessing this means a nasal mask without pillows ?

The engineer in me finds the whole full nasal mask without pillows full of contradictions. The big problem is the pressure of the machine naturally causes the mask to push off your face. You then have to tighten the mask to keep it clamped to your face. This pressure causes the sores.

The answer is nasal pillows. When the pressure is applied to a nasal pillows mask, they push out naturally against the skin of the inside of your nose. The pillows do not need to be strapped on nearly as tightly because the pressure of the pump is not trying to push the mask off your face. With the nasal pillow masks the straps are there more to hold it in place than to keep pressure on the mask to keep contact with your face. The pillows mask/headgear combo is far more fundamentally sound design.

If this post means nasal pillows, I found that it took me 3-4 weeks to adjust before areas toughed up and now I have not had any sore problems in months once I got passed some initial discomfort. With pillows, I had one of the masks (swift) with nasal pillows to tightened on my face unneccesesarily (sp?). With another (comfort lite) I had some sores at the tip of my nose when it was not positioned close enough to my face and it was pulling out on my nose.

I kind of like the tape idea above too if you must work with a nasal mask covering your whole nose.

Bottom line is don't give up until you find a mask which works for you and with some it may take several weeks to get you and the mask to be good friends. I remember early on, first couple weeks thinking how on earth is this going to work ? You will find one which will work but it takes time. It is worth the effort.