Mask Cleaning Causing Breathing Problems?

I have been using my my Swift II Nasal Pillows for about 9 months. About 2 months ago I switched my cleaning routine. For the first 7 months I used Dawn liquid soap to clean my mask, tubing and chamber. Over the last 2 months I have been using Dial liquid hand soap on my mask/tubing. At first I was not really having a problem. However, about two weeks ago, I noticed that I started having a funny/sickeningly sweet odor in my nostrils. I then noticed that I was getting a tickle in my throat. These symptoms have only intensified over the last two weeks. I was wondering if this might be as a result of my cleaning method. I have stopped using the Dial soap but the problem has not gone away.

Please let me know if anyone else has experienced this kind of problem with either Dial soap or with another kind of detergent used to clean your CPAP. Additionally, please let me know how you rid yourself of this problem and how long it took? Finally, if this is the problem, is there a possibility that I need to get a new machine in light of the fact that I cleaned my water chamber with Dial? Thanks for your help.

Michael

How often do you wash your mask? I find too much cleaning causes more leak problems for me.

I think Dial is too strong, and it has the harsh anti-microbials in it. I know it dries my hands to something akin to alligator skin.

If you are getting a sickenly sweet smell in your nostrils, and a scratchy in your throat, give the doc a call, sounds like you might have a sinus infection (possible fungal?)

No, you don't have to get a new machine...just really, really, really, rinse the humidifier chamber out really, really, really well...maybe using a few tablespoons of vinegar to a cup or so of water and let it sit (out of the machine) for a bit to cut any residue that may be there, and then rinse it like crazy....

Switch to a citrus cleaner, go back to Ivory or use baby shampoo.

MILD soap, not the harsh,drying stuff.

I just read another post in which the person was using hand soap to wash tubing, etc. I would advise against using soap because it will leave a film. A mild detergent or baby shampoo do not leave a film because they are detergents, not soaps. Also, Dial soap has other additives including antimicrobials. I'd stick to a gentle detergent such as Ivory Liquid (not Ivory soap) which has no harsh additives.

Joy

If you want to get rid of face grease etc. use Control III! Available right here on cpap: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Contro ... eaner.html
Absolute best. I let my Quattro full face mask soak about 1/2 hour and that's it. Let air dry. No smell and totally sanitized. I LOVE this stuff. I use it religiously because I'm a clean freak. Really works. I just use the Control III...I don't even have to pre-clean like they suggest. Try it, you'll love it.

JoyD. wrote:I just read another post in which the person was using hand soap to wash tubing, etc. I would advise against using soap because it will leave a film. A mild detergent or baby shampoo do not leave a film because they are detergents, not soaps. Also, Dial soap has other additives including antimicrobials. I'd stick to a gentle detergent such as Ivory Liquid (not Ivory soap) which has no harsh additives.

Joy

Presently, I used Dr. Bonners Liquid soap - somebody wrote it left no film on their seals. Baby shampoo was leaving a film on my seals, and so does the liquid soap. The water is very hard where I live, and I wonder if that's the reason for the films.

O.

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will definitely stop using Dial, I will clean my machine thoroughly and I will switch to Ivory detergent. Thanks for everyones help.

Michael