Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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KansasScout
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Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by KansasScout » Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:52 am

I have developed a problem with leaks due to oily skin. Yes, I wash my face and clean the mask daily. After about four to five hours of sleep my skin becomes quite oily and the leaks begin which awaken me. To counter that I end up tightening the straps but this becomes very uncomfortable and likewise hinders sleep.
Anyone know how to deal with this? I have a Fischer Paykel 431 Full face mask.
Oddly enough, this is a fairly recent development after being on the cpap for a year and a half now. BTW, I have been a member of the forum all that time but had to reregister again to get back on so I am not a newbie.

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STL Mark
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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by STL Mark » Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:26 am

CPAP or Auto? If Auto, it may be that after 4-5 hours sleep your pressures are higher and that causes it to leak. May want to update your profile with your equipment. Are you changing your FFM seals where it meets your face at the recommended times?

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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by BlackSpinner » Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:42 am

Oddly enough, this is a fairly recent development after being on the cpap for a year and a half now
How old is the mask? If it is a year or more old it could be loosing its flexibility.

If your skin has gotten more oily, use a piece of cotton knit fabric between you and the mask.

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PST
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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by PST » Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:57 am

Has the problem changed with the weather? I find that a little perspiration plus oily skin really bumps my leakage. It would seem more likely that the weather has changed than that your skin has. I'm with Mark and Blackspinner on the suggestion of looking at an aging cushion on the mask first, but if that's not to blame, maybe cooling the bedroom would help.

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LSAT
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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by LSAT » Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:10 am

Remzzzs mask liners are made for just this problem..

http://www.remzzzs.com/collections/everything

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KansasScout
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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by KansasScout » Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:05 pm

Yes, the mask is a 18 months old. It seems to be as flexible as always and works fine when not oily. Thanks for the suggestion on the Remmzzzs. I will try a sample and see.
I keep a constant ten for pressure. It seems to be the magic number for me. I do not use the ramping feature as I do not need it. I turned down the humidifier somewhat as well last night. I do keep the bedroom quite cool really with a fan running.
Thanks for the suggestions given so far. As for the remmzzs, do they hinder the seal?

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LSAT
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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by LSAT » Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:32 pm

Remzzzs HELP the seal! Several people on the board have made their own version after trying the sample kit.

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Lee Lee
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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by Lee Lee » Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:47 pm

My husband loves the Remzzs. I wasn't able to make them work for me.
I clean my face each night with a very mild soap and then use astringent to clean any residual oil. It really helps. Also I clean the seal everyday with Dawn dishwashing soap and dry it thoroughly.

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KansasScout
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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by KansasScout » Mon Jul 05, 2010 2:47 pm

Progress update: Remzz's review

I have given the Remmzzz a trial run and have found them to be very helpful. They make the mask more comfortable. So much so that my initial adjustment to the cpap and mask would have been much easier had I started out with them.
They work. I sleep the night through with no oily mask slipping around and leaking.
They cost more than they should IMHO. I think you could easily make your own. I am able to reuse mine several times and make them more economical. I have not tried to wash them yet but that is coming. This is a product worthy of support.

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Re: Full face mask leaks due to oily skin

Post by headbored » Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:33 pm

If you are using your humidifier,you might try it on pass over with no heat it might make a big difference as the warm air from the humidifier also warms your face making you sweat.