Silicone Reaction

I did some searching on this site concerning skin reaction to silicone. I get light red marks on my cheeks where the mask rests. I noticed that if I use a triple antibiotic ointment in that area before mounting the mask, I do not get those red marks. Rosebud Salve appears to work as well. Anyone have similar experience who found something else that worked.

chzuck wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:48 am

I get light red marks on my cheeks where the mask rests. I noticed that if I use a triple antibiotic ointment in that area before mounting the mask, I do not get those red marks.

Be careful using such barriers if they contain petroleum product because petroleum can cause premature breakdown of the silicone.....wear out faster.
Triple antibiotic ointment does contain petroleum product.
I don't know about the other that you mentioned...and no time to go looking it up.

Rosebud has Petrolatum. Another word for a petroleum. I will try a CPAP gel.

Some ideas....

Years ago when people had marks on their face from the mask they used to use Phillips Milk of Magnesia (liquid) as a barrier.
Put it on and let it dry and then put the mask on.

Mask liner (either store bought or DIY project).

Maybe try Lansinoh as a barrier...it doesn't contain petroleum and people use it all the time directly on the silicone (think nasal pillows) and it doesn't seem to harm the silicone.
Lansinoh is lanolin based and found in the baby aisle of most stores because it is marketed for nursing moms to use on their nipples.

Be aware though that anything like the Lansinoh or even your petroleum based products could adversely affect the seal of the mask if you use much of it. Things will slide around a lot.

Thank you, Pugsy. I saw the mask liners, but thought that would not help my leak issues. I will look into the Lansinoh that you mentioned. It is bad enough to deal with the marks left by the straps, but the red "rash" marks makes things even worse.

I would go find a mask that didn't leave "marks" just like I already found a mask that didn't leave "dents" on my face from the straps. I got a mask that doesn't use straps.

Another thought....have you looked at the AirTouch (notice the Touch part) masks??? They have something like a memory foam cushion which touches your skin.

They make both an AirTouch full face mask and a nasal cushion only mask. It's another ResMed product.
AirTouch is the name instead of the other silicone cushion AirFit masks.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap-mask

AirTouch F20

Since you already have the AirFit F20 all you need to buy is the AirTouch F20 cushion because everything else is interchangeable.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ce-cushion

I already bought a Airtouch F20 and I thought it left the red marks as well. If need be I will try whatever I think may work myself, if my provider will not let me and when I find one that I like, tell them to change my prescription.