Many people use the same mask over and over again for a year or more without issue. We have seen masks worn for 5 years or more, and although we question the quality of the seal on these "ancient" masks, many people never have a complaint about the fit.
Unfortunately, we are not all made the same, and some of us experience skin irritations on our faces and/or in our noses from the masks that we use, however clean and fresh we keep the seals. Changes in the weather often cause changes in the moisture level our skin is able to maintain, resulting in raw, dry spots on our faces. Seasonal allergies can also increase the amount of irritation a person experiences from their CPAP mask-especially those masks that are fit in the nostrils. And often using creams and ointments to protect the skin do not work effectively.
So what do we recommend? Of course, cleaning your mask daily is the first order of business, followed by replacing mask seals periodically. But, it is also worth having a couple of different mask styles available to alternate throughout the week. Chronic use of the same material on the same pressure points on your face can eventually cause irritation, however comfortable the mask may have been at the beginning. Masks are made with different textures of silicone-squishy gel, "sticky" clear silicone, softer opaque silicone, etc. And each mask design will fit the contours of a face or nose differently; therefore pressure points where irritations can occur will be different. Alternating styles frequently, every other day for people with sensitive skin, can greatly reduce this problem.
If you are having problems with your mask fit and/or skin irritation, please feel free to call us to discuss your particular situation. Solutions are never one-size-fits-all, and we are happy to help you figure out what will work best for you.
The Mayo Clinic has posted a video that demonstrates what happens during a sleep apnea event. Check it out 