Nasal Mask vs. Mustache

FJC · Post by **FJC** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:11 am

I'm currently using a Breeze with nasal pillows. That's working out pretty well, but I've started to develop a small sore on my nose. It hasn't stopped me from using the Breeze, but has made me think about getting a "backup" mask that covers my nose.

However, I have a full beard and mustache. Can anyone recommend any nasal masks that work well despite having a mustache? Do any work at all?

Thanks!

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:28 am

Nasal Aire II, a completely different type of nasal mask. I have the Breeze also, but I like the Nasal Aire II as it just goes inside the nose with prongs. Of all the masks that I have (six), it would be best alternative that I could suggest for keeping the mustache and beard.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:58 am

In addition to NasalAire II, there is SNAPP by Tiara Medical, Swift by ResMed, Infinity by Fisher-Paykel, Aura by Aeiomed and, I suspect, others.

For the sore you are experiencing, get yourself some Roezit cream (stinky, but VERY effective or some Ayr Gel (sp?). Both of these do a great job of helping your skin deal with the nasal inserts.

Also, have you tried rotating the Breeze pillows slightly so that they better follow the contour of your nare?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:03 am

When I was trying to get used to the Breeze way back when, it created horrible bleeding blisters around my nares. I used Neosporin to not only soothe them, but it healed them a lot quicker. You could give that a try, too.

And a word for the Aura, the pillows are very soft and squishy. I do love the Swift, though, too. Both are more comfortable, IMHO, than the pillows that come on the Breeze.

For those of you who use the NAII, if you side sleep, doesn't the way the tubes go up over the ears interfere and cause discomfort? I can't imagine it being for a side sleeper with where they have them attached.

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:55 am

[quote="MartiniLover"]Nasal Aire II, a completely different type of nasal mask. I have the Breeze also, but I like the Nasal Aire II as it just goes inside the nose with prongs. Of all the masks that I have (six), it would be best alternative that I could suggest for keeping the mustache and beard.

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:56 am

A friend using the breeze uses a little chapstick or blistex to keep the sores away.

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:05 am

[quote="MartiniLover"]Nasal Aire II, a completely different type of nasal mask. I have the Breeze also, but I like the Nasal Aire II as it just goes inside the nose with prongs. Of all the masks that I have (six), it would be best alternative that I could suggest for keeping the mustache and beard.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:09 am

I have found the Aura works really well and no interference if you sleep on your back or side. I also use the Activa as my trade off mask. I found that if I shave just under my nose it gives it a landing strip to seal to and doesn't press on my upper lip hairs. This has no impact on the look of my stache either.

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:37 am

Sounds to me like the "hot setup" is a nasal device like the Swift, et al and then some kind of nasal mask and rotate between them as needed.

FJC · Post by **FJC** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:37 am

Thanks for the tips. I have been using a dab of neosporin, and the sore isn't bad (it didn't stop me from using the Breeze last night, and doesn't seem to be worsening). I've rotated the pillows but it hasn't made much of a difference.

The Aura looks to me to be the same as the Breeze, in that you have two nasal pillows pressing against your nostrils (nares?). I was really thinking about more of a "traditional" nasal mask, that wouldn't touch my nostrils at all for those times when that just won't work out (i.e., sores, or say if I have a cold and my nose is sore from wiping it, etc.). Is the Aura really different from the Breeze and I'm just not seeing it in the pictures?

I'm predominately a side sleeper (95%+ of the time), but would like something that maybe works when on my back as well. The breeze doesn't work well for that - as soon as I roll onto my back it seems to press up on the headgear and break the seal. I don't think the Nasal Aire II would be comfortable for me due to the tubes going up over the ears. In fact, at my first sleep study the most annoying thing to me was the tubing that they had routed over my ears in that fashion - very uncomfortable to lay on my side with that pressing on my ear/head.

Any other mask recommendations?

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:58 am

Definitely give the Activa a try it really does seal the best for side sleepers.

snowloft · Post by **snowloft** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:19 am

I used the ResMed Swift right from the beginning (a couple months ago) and have no problems with that working with my moustache. It is also very comfortable.

FJC · Post by **FJC** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:58 am

The Activa looks like just what I want to try - but oddly, when I enter my facial dimensions on cpap.com, it tells me that mask may not be the best one for me. I don't think I have any odd dimensions going on here...

1 3/4" eyeline
2 1/8th diagonal length
1 1/4" width
3/4" depth of nose
3 1/2" full face measurement

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:57 pm

FJC wrote:The Aura looks to me to be the same as the Breeze, in that you have two nasal pillows pressing against your nostrils (nares?). I was really thinking about more of a "traditional" nasal mask, that wouldn't touch my nostrils at all for those times when that just won't work out (i.e., sores, or say if I have a cold and my nose is sore from wiping it, etc.). Is the Aura really different from the Breeze and I'm just not seeing it in the pictures?

Oh, yes, the Breeze, IMHO, is way different than the Aura. I could not use the Breeze. It didn't work no matter what I tried to do, not to mention the bleeding nares from severe blistering the pillows gave me. Not that others don't like it, but it's far different from the Aura. I found the Breeze's headgear heavy and wobbly, no matter how many extra straps, etc. I put around it. The Aura's headgear is lightweight and doesn't wobbly or fall to the side when I move to sleep on one side or the other. The pillows on the Aura are by far the softest and squishiest of all the pillows I've tried/used. They don't hurt at all, no matter what. The Aura has wire inside of the two hoses that come down on the nosepiece so you can have an infinite number of minute adjustments to make the pillows sit just right under your nares. I love the Aura and don't like the Breeze. But, again, that is just my opinion.

However, the Swift is also great and most people who try it really do like it. It is an interface with absolutely no bells or whistles, but works terrific. I would go with either one of those two, the Swift or the Aura. Those are my personal choices. The Activa, of course, is a different type of mask in that it is an actual nasal mask. It seems to work great for most people and you can leave the straps loose. As a matter of fact, you should leave them loose, unlike most others, because if you tighten the straps too much, it will prohibit the bellowing seal from expanding and then you won't get the proper seal. It's a good nasal mask. I just prefer the least amount of anything touching my face. To me that is the Aura first and then the Swift, whose straps have been known to cause a swoosh mark or two, than can also be corrected.

THier · Post by **THier** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:51 pm

I had an IQ mask, that sealed ok over my mustache and fu,,, didn't like the mask though,, I had a ComfortClassic on my study,,, just had one delivered today,, and it too seals well over the stache and fu.

Tom

edit for spelling