Are you suffering from CPAP equipment-induced pressure sores? This is a common issue for CPAP users who are dealing with obstructive sleep apnea. Awaking from an otherwise peaceful night’s sleep to find sore and inflamed skin is aggravating. If left untreated these sores can cause additional pain, lead to skin infections, and prevent you from getting the comfortable sleep you need for healing. Fortunately, simple remedies are available to provide this relief. In this article, we will provide you with best practices to soothe and heal your pressure sores from CPAP use.
So What Are CPAP Pressure Sores?
Pressure sores, also known as bed sores or skin or pressure ulcers, are a form of red, inflamed skin that develops after subdermal tissues become damaged in a specific area due to increased, prolonged, and sometime repetitive weight and friction. This damage is generally more prevalent in regions where exposed bone, such as your heels or elbows, are rested against harder surfaces, but can develop on any area of the body. For CPAP users, having face, neck, shoulders, and upper back areas exposed to continual and widened pressure from equipment and materials is the main culprit of these sores.
CPAP Pressure Sore Treatments
Thankfully, there are a number of ways to reduce, and even prevent, CPAP-induced pressure sores. The first step would be to adjust your mask to ensure a proper fit. If the seals are too kind they may wrinkle, may result in additional pressure against the skin, and lead to skin sores. Conversely, a mask that is too tight may crowd the area and cause chafing. Take some time to experiment with the mask’s adjustments to find the right balance of seal and fit.
Once an appropriate fit is achieved, make it a point to clean your mask and the therapy tubing regularly. Mile will accumulate on the inside of the equipment and leech down onto the skin, leading to irritation. Likewise, dirty equipment serves as an entry point for bacteria that leads to infection. It is recommended that CPAP equipment be washed daily.
If you begin to develop skin sores, apply a gentle lotion to the irritated areas to keep the skin moist and combat any dryness. Avoid those with alcohol or fragrance content, as these can serve to further irritate the skin.
Other Measures to Prevent and Treat CPAP Pressure Sores
Another important step in preventing pressure sores is to rotate the position of your mask and CPAP tubing nightly. Different pressure points are exposed, helping to reduce the level of friction and providing necessary time for healing.
In some instances, pillows can be a culprit of CPAP-induced pressure sores. When attempting to find a comfortable position, cushion positioning is often forgotten. Pillows can become a source of increased pressure, so adding additional pillows and padding is recommended to reduce this direct contact and lessen the probability of developing skin sores.
Conclusion
When regularly using a CPAP device, pressure sores are likely to rear their head. By being attentive to equipment settings, cleanings, using a gentle lotion on sore areas, mattress position rotations, and pillow adjustments you will be on the road to preventing and treating these sores. While CPAP pressure sores can be an aggravating distraction from getting quality sleep and relaxation, with a few simple adjustments, significant improvement and relief can be found.
