Daily Cleaning and Maintenance of CPAP Machine Masks

Whenever it comes to the part “the mask needs to be cleaned daily and replaced regularly,” most ventilator users will have a face of questions.

1. Why do I need to clean, maintain, or replace it regularly? Does it have any effect?
2. The mask is just silicone/plastic parts. There is a stinky odor in the wash. Is it not good?
3. Why do we need to clean it from time to time? Maintenance is to maintain what?

The following small help from this part to tell you carefully.

In terms of ventilator therapy, the mask is the key to the effectiveness and sustainability of treatment! Don’t think that such a statement is too exaggerated and arbitrary! The following is an explanation of both equipment hygiene and equipment function. CPAP machines, within the warranty period, can provide sleep apnea patients with good sleep oxygen and sleep quality improvement.

However, if the following conditions occur under regular use, the CPAP machine mask may need to be replaced.

1. Ear-splitting noise from the central unit of the ventilator　　
2. Frequent flashing of the CPAP machine warning light (non-mechanical failure)　　
3. Indentation, ulceration, and discomfort on the face after wearing.

Because the appearance of these conditions usually means that the mask’s seal is no longer in line with the machine start-up/operation required, such as soft material wear or brittle / cracked.

Such as seal aging directly causes air leakage, which may lead to miscalculation of the ventilator pressure, abnormal continuous pressurization, and excessive wind pressure.

And reduces therapeutic comfort or forces the user to tighten the mask headband, causing the aforementioned facial indentation discomfort or, in severe cases, ulceration due to hours of facial pressure.

In addition, there are familiar adverse sensations of fit. Such as co-sleepers being subjected to the sound of continuous pressure of the ventilator, or the whirring sound of high-speed wind pressure, resulting in reduced sleep quality.

Patients themselves may also suffer from dry and bloodshot eyes (air leakage from the top of the mask), decreased effectiveness of treatment, and daytime drowsiness that affects daily work/life.

Why should I clean my CPAP machine mask?

Many users have more questions about mask cleaning. We all know the mask will be cleaned. Because the humidification and heating will produce condensate retention, causing microbial breeding and odor generation. However, the actual cause (invisible to the naked eye but felt by the host) of mask breakage and cracking is “sebum secretion”! According to medical reports, the secretion efficiency of facial sebaceous glands is much greater than that of other body parts. Quantitatively speaking, the amount of sebum secretion on the face is 10 times that of different body parts! Excessive oil is the leading cause of hardening and cracking soft parts such as mask/frontal pads.

Another reason for mask air leakage is the overall components’ aging. It includes the elasticity of the headband deteriorating. The soft silicone of the mask/frontal pad hardens and cannot be fixed in the correct position.

The consequence of wearing the part quickly shifted is that users firmly pull the headgear to avoid shifting, air leakage, facial strangulation marks, and ulcers should be born. Of course, at this time, the mask use period will be faster depletion reduced.

Not adequately cleaned microbial mask breeding, including mold, other oxygen bacteria, unpleasant odor, causing upper CPAP machinery allergies, pneumonia, sinus infections, etc.

Similarly, there will be a specific depletion of the mainframe of the CPAP machine because of the long-term accumulation of impurities and warnings about running an emergency stop.

And the mainframe not having normal lift pressure (even if you can adapt) will also put the mainframe in a long-term abnormal state of operation so that the mainframe early scrap.

How to clean and maintain your mask?

Don’t think that cleaning is just washing and brushing the mask. Next, we will give you the “CPAP machine mask maintenance method,” which is used daily without reservation.

1. Before putting on the mask, please clean the facial grease, and reduce the length of time “soaked” in oil. Men can use a facial cleanser to wash it off carefully. Women who love maintenance should use maintenance products earlier to allow sufficient time for the ingredients to be absorbed. And then, use paper towels or oil-absorbing tissues to remove excess oil from the face before putting on the CPAP machine mask.
2. After waking up, use a fluffy, soft, slightly damp towel to gently wipe all parts of your face to avoid oil residue.
3. Every week, dilute the neutral detergent into soapy water. Then, clean the mask, frame, headband, and other parts by soaking and patting. 　　Please pay special attention to the detergent: no fragrance, no lubricating ingredients, low foaming (low surfactant), no germicidal agent detergent, to reduce the material damage caused by the above elements, or not rinsed clean and long time close to the face caused by allergies or discomfort.
4. After cleaning, gently absorb the surface moisture with a soft dry towel and place it in a ventilated, sun-free area. Never use hot air or sunlight to dry. Hot air and sunlight exposure are the leading causes of plastic/silicone deterioration.

Conclusion

Well, the mask maintenance and cleaning is introduced here, you learn? If you know to remember to praise, you are welcome to put forward different views. Here is also hope that you can improve snoring by using CPAP machines and have tremendous energy to face each day.