What do you do if you are allergic to the silicone used on the cpap masks and nasal pillows?

What do you mean by "allergic?"  Are you breaking out on your nose and forehead?

Is the mask new?  If it is new, you could be sensitive to the chemicals on the surface of the silicone; make sure that you wash it before you use it.

Different brands may use different silicone formulations.  Some masks use a polymer "gel" rather than silicone.

Thank you for your responses.  To forneyfrau:  I get a raw like rash and it feels like I have been burned with acid.  I am also allergic like that to adhesive.  I tried a different type of nasal mask from a different manufacturer, which my doctor gave me and it did the same thing.  I can't keep trying different masks it would be so expensive.

I had the same problem at first.  Now, I put a piece of pre-wrap (such as used by athletic trainers) over the bridge of my nose.  I attach this with some medical tape, from 3M, plastic-like and breathable and stretchable.  I do the same to my forehead in one spot.  This seems to have cured that problem.  It helps with pressure points and I have not had a rash any more.  You might try this.  I don't think the adhesive on this tape will affect you.  It is hypoallergenic.

Thank you so much forneyfrau, that is a great idea.  I have tried cotton material, but it doesn't always stay in place.

Discouraged,

Did your doctor or DME mention "contact dermatitis" as the source of your rash?  Your description sounds like "contact dermatitis" rather than an allergy to the mask materials.  Allergy to silicone and similar mask materials is very rare, but it does happen.  It usually does not cause any kind of skin irritation or rash, again that usually points to contact dermatitis.  Contact dermatitis is not an allergy, it's a skin irritation caused by the chemicals used in the manufacture of silicone and other mask parts.  Mold release agents, solvents, and so on.

If what you experienced is contact dermatitis, that is actually better news than an allergy.  Try washing your preferred mask with pretty warm, but not hot, sudsy water using a mild non-perfumed non-dyes containing detergent like Ivory Classic dish liquid or similar.  Baby shampoo also works. These do not contain chemicals that will cause further irritation (that's assuming you do not have contact dermatitis issues with these!).  They will not harm your mask parts, and will leach out some of the offending chemical agents.  It has been my experience you may need to wash well, rinse well, let dry completely, then repeat that cycle many more times -- possibly 8-10 times or more.  It can take quite a few cycles of wet/dry to get enough chemical out to make a difference.

Best of luck to you, Blessings,
--pseudonym

Pseudenym,
Thank you for taking time to help me.  The mask has been washed about 5 times, but I will keep trying because I don't like the nasal pillows.
Thanks again!
Discouraged

leaqqve mask soaking in warm water and mild detergent for severah hours

I think a mask made of PVC plastic is available


_________________
respironics comfort gell mask,resmed S6 lightweight CPAP, pressure 10 no humidifier
NO DOCTOR EVER ASKED ME IF I SNORED

Good idea, Lynn.  That soaking may help to dissolve some of the irritants.

Also, it is hard to find, there is a product called a "barrier cream" which is sold in some hospital pharmacies and some hospital supply outfits.  This cream is intended for people who use latex gloves but develop contact dermatitis on their hands from them, barrier cream will give about 4 hours of skin protection.  (True latex allergy is fairly common but contact dermatitis from latex is REALLY common.  Not everyone can use the non-latex gloves.)  

You might also try K-Y jelly or other water soluable lubricant (do not use petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or fats-based lubricant as these can harm some masks).  After you've washed and dried the mask several times more, the K-Y jelly might provide the last bit of barrier you may need until the mask gets a bit older and has been washed a fair bit more.

If silicone allergy is not the issue, you could also try Mack's Original Silicone Putty earplugs.  These are discs of moldable silicone, one earplug can be rolled and stretched to make a long thin ribbon that could serve as a gasket of sorts (some folk here use them to plug leaks in nasal or full face masks).  What I don't know is whether the earplugs would also contain the chemicals that cause irritation -- I would advise a cautious approach to make sure they are OK.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

There's that Sleepweaver mask that is mentioned in the other thread here.  It's supposedly made of cloth.

http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=16827

discouraged if the irritation continues with using the mask I think I would try to get an appointment with your doctor, I know I have a reaction to tapes and even the hypoallergenic types causes me to blister. So it could be your just sensitive to the material in the mask, allergy testing might help find out what is going on. Goof Luck to you!

@PatrickCT

Good mention!  I had forgotten about the Sleepweaver.  I have one and they are indeed made of cloth and very comfortable to boot.  They are a nasal-only mask, no mouth coverage.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

This is great news.  I went to the website and listened to a video.  Looks great to me!
Bit expensive, though.  I just paid over $130 for the mask I have now.  The sleepweaver mask is $170.00.

Someone else just asked about the Sleepweaver.  They still offer a 30-day money back guarantee on the website, and the codes to bill insurance (USA) are on the site as well.  

I posted details on my own experience with the Sleepweaver here:

   http://apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=16059


A few issues, one very specific to me, made this mask not possible for me.  But I would encourage anyone who thinks it can work, to give it a try.  There is a lot to love about this mask, and the money back guarantee makes it risk free.

Perhaps keep trying with your current masks until your insurance will shell out for another (some will replace every 3 months, some every 6, or other interval).  Do verify you can bill for reimbursement as not all insurances will permit this.

Blessings,
--pseudonym