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+--- Thread: Mask Liner Benefits? (/Thread-Mask-Liner-Benefits)
Mask Liner Benefits? - chd3143 - 10-23-2014
Hey everyone: I need to start using some mask liners on my Quattro Air. After a few days I started getting a pretty annoying burning rash from the seal. I'm curious, are there benefits in addition to the comfort? I'm wonder mainly about seal. I tolerate the full face better than nasal, but the leaks drive me batty. Experiences?
RE: Mask Liner Benefits? - surferdude2 - 10-23-2014
I used a home-brew liner that I made from cotton and it helped me get over the nose bridge redness that came when I first started CPAP therapy. It worked very well for that purpose and I also noticed another benefit from using it - I found that any air leakage around the nose that usually caused me discomfort in my eyes was eliminated. I don't me to imply that the liner sealed those leaks better. It just diffused the air being leaked so that it was no longer noticeable or bothersome.
Bottom line (for me anyway), liners can make masks more comfortable and help in managing your tolerance for leaks, which can allow you to ignore small leaks that are well below the threshold that would affect therapy. I haven't used one since becoming acclimated to wearing the mask (and learning how to adjust it properly) but it was helpful before that.
Of course liners can help with any allergy problems to the mask cushion material.
RE: Mask Liner Benefits? - surferdude2 - 10-23-2014
I forgot to add that mask liners allow you to shift the mask around without worrying about distorting the delicate seal on the mask. That's especially important for newbies since it takes a while to learn how to position the mask properly. Scooting it around can be very helpful when on that part of the learning curve.
It can also help those of us who tend to move around a lot while sleeping and sometimes bumping the mask causing it to leak. With a proper liner, you can play pretty rough with the mask before it leaks to the point of jeopardizing therapy or leaking to the point of waking you up.
You can buy liners or make your own out of an old tee shirt or similar material that doesn't unravel easily. I make mine, it's easy enough and the raw material supply is plentiful.
RE: Mask Liner Benefits? - Evpraxia - 10-25-2014
(10-23-2014, 06:11 PM)surferdude2 Wrote: I forgot to add that mask liners allow you to shift the mask around without worrying about distorting the delicate seal on the mask. That's especially important for newbies since it takes a while to learn how to position the mask properly. Scooting it around can be very helpful when on that part of the learning curve.
It can also help those of us who tend to move around a lot while sleeping and sometimes bumping the mask causing it to leak. With a proper liner, you can play pretty rough with the mask before it leaks to the point of jeopardizing therapy or leaking to the point of waking you up.
You can buy liners or make your own out of an old tee shirt or similar material that doesn't unravel easily. I make mine, it's easy enough and the raw material supply is plentiful.
Liners are good to use, my hubby used one with his nose mask until he switched over to the nasal pillows.
I do have some tips:
- The mask seal should be wiped/washed daily.
- The mask and mask seal should be washed weekly in a MILD soap, usually baby shampoo or body soap is best or whatever soap your face prefers
- Washing your face before putting the mask may also help
- The mask seal part (not the headgear) should be replaced 2 per month, in other words - twice a month.
This list assumes a person has the insurance or budget to replace the mask seal twice a month; if not then, even greater care needs to be taken to help the mask seal stay in good shape and clean.
Having the gear in good condition makes a HUGE difference, both in comfort and in your health.