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CPAP Mask Discomfort: Tips, Tricks, and Products

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When you first begin CPAP therapy for your obstructive sleep apnea, hopefully, you will notice improvements right away: deeper, more restorative sleep and the positives that come with it, including better mood, more energy, and more focus.

However, not everyone’s CPAP experience is 100% positive at first. CPAP therapy can have some side effects, mainly discomfort. While new users are adjusting to a first-ever apnea mask and machine, they may experience nasal congestion and irritation, mask tightness, chafing, skin irritation, and headaches. In fact, nasal symptoms have been found to be a top reason CPAP users abandon wearing their masks.

The good news is, none of these side effects has to be a deal-breaker. CPAP manufacturers, suppliers, and sleep medicine physicians want you to stick with your therapy and see improvement in your sleep and your health. Apnea is serious. A small, easily addressable side effect should not derail you from a long-term treatment plan that can make you healthier.

Fortunately, CPAP machine and accessory manufacturers know that apnea masks are not “one size fits all.” People have different facial contours, hair, allergies, skin reactions, and so on. In response, the apnea therapy industry has developed many different products and “hacks” to help improve your individual comfort when wearing a mask.

If your CPAP mask is causing you problems, read on to learn about tips, tricks, and products to help you get a better fit and a more comfortable sleep experience.

Tips, Tricks, and Products to Make Your CPAP Mask More Comfortable

Is your CPAP mask uncomfortable? Maybe it’s too tight, too loose, or sits uncomfortably over your nose, mouth, or cheekbones. Maybe the contact between your skin and the mask has lead to skin breakouts and soreness. Or perhaps the filtered, pressurized air pressure has dried out your nose and mouth.

We’ve compiled some of the common CPAP comfort-related complaints below, along with some solutions—products and accessories that can make your life with CPAP a little easier.

“My CPAP is too tight—I wake up with red marks on my skin.”

Sometimes, users may complain of red marks from direct, firm pressure on their skin from the CPAP masks or straps. The nose, cheeks, sides of the face, or ears may show these marks or become sore.

Fortunately, CPAP headgear can be manually adjusted. We advise you tighten down your mask just enough to create a seal. Overdoing the tightness is what leads to red marks on the face. While the air is blowing, pull the mask 1-2 inches from your face to give the outer cushion layer time to inflate. Gently seat the mask by lowering it back down over your nose and/or mouth, and make small adjustments in a clockwise fashion until you have a good seal and feel comfortable.

If you continue to wake up with red marks, Mask Strap Pads or Strap Covers can cushion the straps of your headgear so it doesn’t press directly into your skin.

Other items that may help with skin irritation from direct contact with the gear include:

“I have sores inside my nose, in the nostrils.”

Sometimes, apnea patients may wind up with nasal pillows or nasal prong devices that are a poor fit for their noses or nostrils. Sometimes the process of getting used to CPAP can require some trial and error until you find the product and fit that suits your face.

In some cases, however, the skin inside your nose just needs time to thicken in response to a foreign object creating a tight seal against the skin—sort of like a runner developing a heel callus when coming into repeated contact with the pavement.

Another possibility is that the pressurized air is drying out your mucous membranes, which can reduce your nose’s natural lubrication and make you more prone to tiny scrapes and cuts that develop into sores. These cuts can also open up paths for bacteria to enter your bloodstream, leading to infections.

If you have nasal sores, your doctor or supplier may recommend you switch back and forth from a nasal pillow to a nasal mask to give your nostrils a break.

However, a stinging nostril can be painful and irritating. In the interim, while you wait for your body to adjust, there are some products that can help add moisture and reduce irritation and inflammation. These include:

  • Heated Humidifiers
  • Nose Lubricants
  • Moisture Therapy Cream
  • Mask Wipes

If your sores don’t heal, tell your physician. Nasal prongs or pillows may not be the right option for you.

“My nose is dried out. Sometimes I even get nosebleeds.”

If you don’t use a CPAP Heated Humidifier, you may be breathing in unmoisturized room air when you sleep, which can dry out the mucous membranes and leave the inside of your nose vulnerable to dry skin, cracks and fissures, and even nosebleeds. Infection an become a problem without the nose’s natural mucus to clear out particles and bacteria. You may also develop congestion as your nose tries to compensate for the lack of moisture by manufacturing extra mucus.

Some products that can help with a dry nose include:

  • Heated Humidifiers
  • Insulating Covers for your CPAP hose (to protect against excess condensation)
  • Nose Lubricant to moisturize the inside of the nose
  • Moisture Therapy Cream
  • NasoGEL
  • Heated Tubing

“I’m waking up with headaches after wearing my CPAP.”

If you’re waking up with a headache after using your CPAP mask, two possible factors may be the cause: overly high air pressure or a sinus issue.

If your air pressure is too high, talk to your sleep medicine physician or sleep techs about resetting your machine to a lower pressure. A different type of machine such as APAP or BiPAP may also work better for you.

If you have sinus problems, these may manifest as a headache behind the ears, behind the cheekbones, or in the forehead or eye area. Sometimes, sinus headaches are caused by an infection like sinusitis. You may also have congestion or a pressure differential that announces itself as pain, or dry sinuses from the pressurized air.

If you suspect a sinus issue, you may get some benefit from trying:

  • Over-the-counter decongestants
  • A CPAP Heated Humidifier, to moisten the sinuses
  • Bacteria Filters
  • A Vapor Clear Sinus Blaster
  • Nasal Sprays
  • A Sinus Rinse Kit

Don’t ignore a persistent sinus pain problem, however, as infections can spread and become worse without medication like antibiotics or antivirals.

“I have dry mouth.”

If you have a dry, sandpapery, sticky mouth when you wake up in the morning, it could be a sign that you’re mouth breathing during sleep—an unconscious behavior that actually decreases the effectiveness of your therapy. And if your apnea mask only covers your nose, you’ll also be missing out on the humidification and moisture offered by your humidifier.

Users with dry mouth should first check to see if the CPAP mask is leaking due to age or other issues (like the lack of a firm seal). If a leak isn’t the issue, you may need either a Chin Strap to keep your mouth from hanging open or a full-face CPAP mask that goes over your nose and mouth.

Recommend products that can help with dry mouth include:

  • Heated Humidifiers
  • Heated Tubing
  • Chin Straps
  • Full-face Masks

“I’m Breaking out with Acne or Rashes.”

Bumps, pimples, facial sores, and other types of skin breakouts can be the result of an allergic reaction, an overly tight mask, or a buildup of facial oils under the mask. Keeping your skin and your CPAP clean on a daily basis helps to reduce the risk of skin problems from contact, as does loosening the straps so you get a proper fit.

Keeping your mask clean can also help with allergies. Most people are not allergic to silicone in the mask, but rather to the chemicals used to help manufacture the silicone. Removing these chemicals with soap and warm water before you put your mask on can help.

Recommended cleaning products include:

Other issues that can affect comfort include swallowing excess air (aerophagia) that leads to bloating and belching, and dry eyes, which can result from a leak in your CPAP mask. You can learn more about these issues in our CPAP Side Effects FAQ.

Summary

CPAP masks take time to integrate into your sleep routines. Not everyone with apnea will have a perfect experience from night one. If you have any comfort or fit issues with your mask, try supplementing your CPAP with accessories to help ease your discomfort.

If none of these modifications are helpful, talk to your doctor about other options, such as trying a different CPAP machine or a new mask or changing your sleep position. The important thing is to not shut the door on apnea therapy altogether: CPAP therapy will make a difference if you can find a way to stick with it.

  • David Repasky

    David Repasky has been using CPAP treatment since 2017 and has first-hand experience with what it's like to live with Sleep Apnea. He brings the patient's perspective to the CPAP.com blog and has received formal training in CPAP machines, masks, and equipment.

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19 Responses

  1. Your article Dan was pretty good.

    I have a serious dry mouth issue with using a full face mask, a Resmed Mirage Quattro, with temporary chin straps, I hope, because I have physical problems putting them on, and they slip off the crown, often.

    So I tried chin full face masks, so far, running out of companies that make them !

    Hans Rudolph’ s are all amazingly way too noisy !
    Fischer&Paykel’s have that dark blue silicone inner cushion that is just too hard on my nose area.
    I personally bought two different sizes of each of the above mentioned companies masks, because my insurance company six month reorder policy hasn’t passed yet !

    Can you please help me to find other chin full face mask company’s with the names of their specific models, and model numbers ?

    Thank you,
    Manny P

    1. Hey Emanuel, I am sorry to hear that you are having some issues with locating a chin full face mask that you are comfortable with. I have searched for chin full face masks, but have been unable to locate any that are not manufactured by Hans Rudolph, or Fischer and Paykel.

      We would be more than happy to speak with you to see if we can assist you with finding a mask that you may find comfort in. If you are interested, we can be reached at 1-800-356-5221. Please keep in mind that all of the complete masks that we sell does require a prescription, but are sold with free 30-day returns. This means you can purchase a new mask, try it out for a week, or two and if you do not like it for any reason, you can send it back to us and we will refund you your money, or you can select a different mask.

      Have a great day!

    2. I’m on the Dreamstation with /humidifier and full face mask (dream mask) I’m constantly taking my mask off after 1 or 3 hours of use because the inside of my mouth goes numb (not dry) numb and my lips are numb as well.

      Why does this happen and how can I fix it?

      1. Hey Grace, i’m sorry to hear that your are experiencing issues with your CPAP therapy. I would recommend you speaking with your doctor about your feeling of numbness. I was however, able to locate other CPAP users on our Forum, speaking about similar issues. Please see the link below to read what others are saying about numbness.

        http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t45553/CPAP-Side-Effect-Numbness-amp-Burning-Sensation.html

        Please feel free to contact us at: 1-800-356-5221, with further questions, or concerns.

        Have a great day!

  2. I have used a cpap since 1993. I have had the same unit just newer head gear . Added a heated humidifier, due to dried out nasal passages. Now i am trying to upgrade my cpap machine to enclude heated humidifier and heated hose so the condensation wont buildup and gargle i my air line and mask. Just completed another sleep study which seems to be the only way to upgrade.

    1. Hi David! Glad to hear you have decided to upgrade your machine. We have a wide variety of machines available. If you would like assistance on selecting the machine that may best fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be reached at 1-800-356-5221, e-mail: cpap@cpap.com for any questions, or concerns.

      Have a great day!

  3. I just started wearing a dream wear head gear. The strap across the back of my head keeps slipping up and then comes off nose. What can I do?

    1. Hi Cheryl, I am sorry to hear that you are having some trouble with your headgear. The strap sliding up on the Dreamwear Headgear seems to be a common issue with users if you have long hair. If this is the case for you, please make sure that you have your headgear tightened as best you can without over-tightening, which will cause marks, headaches, or other issues. Some users have even tried turning their headgear upside down and they were able to notice less movement in the strap.

      Another suggestion, would be for you to visit our CPAP Forum, called CPAPtalk. Please see the link below to visit the Forum, as this is a place where other CPAP users discuss issues that they are having and give suggestions for concerns that you may be having also.

      http://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apnea-Forum.html

      I hope this helps, we wish you the best!

  4. My goti interrupts the seal I hate the chin strap needed for the nasal devices. Should I be looking for a full face mask. I am a Veteran and use the VA for my health care.

  5. 2 areas i’m trying to find help with: My mom is 88 and has a hard time remembering how the on/off buttons and digital displays work. She gets confused if she has to get up in middle of the night. And she doesn’t like how the mask messes up her hair. Do you have any suggestions about 1. less digital machine controls and 2. Mask straps that don’t squish hairdos. Thank you!!

    1. Hi LHarris, there are some machines that have an auto on/off feature, where if your mother removes her mask, the machine will auto shut off and when she puts it back on, the machine will blow air again. Please click the link below to see a few of the machines available.

      https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart-share/2eii

      If your mother is able to use a Nasal Pillow Mask, please see the link below of a great new mask which will help keep her hair from messing up.

      https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart-share/2eii

      If further assistance is required in helping to locate a mask, or machine, please feel free to contact our customer service department at: 1-800-356-5221, or e-mail: cpap@cpap.com.

      Have a wonderful day!

  6. My only concern with my CPAP is that I get bags under my eyes that take most of the day to get rid of. I really don’t know what could be causing this, but I hate waking up 20 years older than when I went to bed. Ugh! Can you think of a reason for this?

    1. Hi Chrissy, you may be getting bags under your eyes due to air getting to them from your mask (mask leak). Also, if you have the straps from your mask too tight, you may wake with puffy eyes.

      How long has it been since you changed the cushion on your mask? If beyond 3 months, please change the cushion, also please be sure that you are wearing the correct size mask so that there is no need to pull the straps too tight.

      For further assistance please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.

      We wish you the best!

  7. For soreness inside the nostril, I use a cotton swab dipped in BAG Balm before going to sleep. It’s an interesting petroleum based moisturizer. I also use a sinus cleansing machine.

    1. Hey Jack, I’m glad you found something that works well for the soreness you’ve experienced. Keep in mind that petroleum based products can potentially break down, or cause damage to your CPAP gear. Please see the link below to view a product that is non-petroleum based and may help with the soreness.

      https://www.cpap.com/productpage/CPAP-Moisture-Therapy-Cream-1-oz-Tube

      For further questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach me at: 1-800-356-5221, ask for Carol, or you may e-mail us: cpap@cpap.com, Attn: Carol.

      Enjoy your day!

  8. I’ve been using my CPAP for a couple months now and just developed a blister on the outside of my right nostril. Ive been trying to sleep without the CPAP to let it heal but I’m getting little to no sleep without it. What do you suggest?

    1. Hi Omar, i’m sorry to hear about the blister you are dealing with. What type of mask are you using? Please make sure your mask isn’t too tight, as this creates soreness, bruises and possibly blisters/open sores.

      Also, please make certain you are washing your face before putting the mask on at night to remove any oil build-up. You should also clean your mask every morning.

      You may try using a mask liner, switching to a different style mask, such as nasal pillow (if tolerable), this mask type has less material in direct contact with your skin.

      If you would like further assistance, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.

      Best Wishes!

  9. Been using F10 CPAP for close to 2 years. Lately the machine hums and wakes me up after about 2 to be 3hours sleep. I tried removing the heated humidifier and refixing it with some success but not total. Any advice. Headgear was changed with new piping and nasal mask
    unable to tolerate full face mask.

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