CPAP Machine has been used for years and it continuously proves how effective it can be. People continue to use the CPAP machine because there are rarely any problems, but let me tell you about possible cons.
So, can a CPAP machine cause swollen lips? Rarely, but yes. The mask of the CPAP machine can cause irritation, or may cause allergic reactions but it can also be dried out if there are leaks, leading to swollen lips.
What to do if the CPAP machine causes swollen lips
If you suspect that your CPAP machine is the one causing you to have swollen lips, then here are a few tips that you can try to remember or make note of.
It usually depends on the user’s conditions.
Certain CPAP masks are made of silicone and others are made with different materials. Different people have different allergies.
If you happen to be allergic to any of the materials that will make contact with you, then there is a chance for your lips to be swollen or your skin to get irritated.
The CPAP machine, including its parts, should also be properly maintained or cleaned at least once a week.
It is a sensitive health equipment that can easily infect a user if left uncleaned for more than 7 days. An infection because of a filthy CPAP machine can also lead to swollen lips.
Another situation is when there is a leak in the mask, this can dry your lips out including the surrounding skin covered by the mask and make the affected areas swollen such as the lips.
However, as of today, there are rarely any cases of swollen lips caused by CPAP machines.
The modern day CPAP machines are now advanced. There are hardly any leaks that can irritate your skin or materials that can trigger allergic reactions.
For some cases, it can be the air pressure that may be too much for your skin. Make sure you are sticking to the recommended air pressure to avoid “burning” your skin that may lead to swelling.
The humidifier can also contribute to swelling when the pressure is also not the right amount for the user.
But once again, this rarely occurs with CPAP machines and a swollen lips is most likely caused by a different factor that a dermatologist can probably help check for you.
- Change masks
- Sometimes, the problem may be with the mask alone. You can contact your device’s manufacturer or consult a health expert for advice on what kind of mask should you use.
- Check for leaks
- Again, the problem might be with the mask. If the mask is okay but there are leaks, you can consider using a mask liner that can help properly seal the mask and avoid leaks.
- Use a different humidifier
- Humidifiers can cause irritation for your skin, try to use a different setting and see if the problem persists. You can also try to stop using the humidifier to check for any difference.
- Try adjusting the pressure
- The CPAP machine may be giving you higher air pressure than what you should be receiving. Try to lower it and see if it will make a difference.
- Clean your CPAP machine
- It is important to clean your CPAP machine at least once a week, if your health is vulnerable or very sensitive, cleaning it daily is recommended.
- Verify if you have allergies
- You must find out if you have any allergies for product materials like silicone which is often used in producing the masks. If that is the case, then switch to another mask.
- Stop using the CPAP machine
- Stop using the CPAP machine for a while to see if there will be any difference. If your lips continues to swell, then the CPAP machine may not be the problem.
- Consider using a lip balm
- If there are no leaks but you suspect the air is making your lips and skin dry, leading to swelling, you can try to use lip balm or anything that can keep your lips from drying.
- Avoid overusing the machine
- The average or minimum amount of usage for the CPAP machine is only for 6 to 7 hours. Going beyond or longer than 8 hours can possibly cause irritation, leading to swelling.
- Consult a dermatologist
- If nothing works, it’s about time to consult a dermatologist. This is a skin-related problem that must be checked by the right expert.
- Visit your doctor
- In case you don’t want to go to a dermatologist right away, you can consult your sleep apnea doctor first or CPAP machine provider for ideas.
What are the risks of using a CPAP machine aside from swollen lips
Although unheard of, CPAP machine can also have some disadvantages. Not everyone knows of them because it doesn’t always happen, but there are still reported cases of it.
The modern CPAP machines probably have lesser disadvantages, but here are the possible disadvantages of a CPAP machine.
- Drying the skin
- The CPAP machine can, without a doubt, dry the skin with the air pressure it gives along with the humidifier. Try using skin lotions in the morning or after bathing to counter this effect.
- Lack of comfort
- CPAP masks are usually attached to the machine using a wire or a cord that is sometimes, not long enough to let the users move freely. This is one of the top disadvantages of CPAP.
- Dry and stuffy nose
- Similar to the skin, the CPAP machine can dry out your nose too.
- Not good for claustrophobic patients
- Even those who are not claustrophobic may feel “suffocated” when wearing the mask and have the short cord that limits their movement.
- Skin irritation
- The air pressure can cause the skin to be irritated or pressured. If the machine is also not properly maintained, it can lead to severe irritation that may spread out.
- Triggers certain allergic reaction
- Depending on the materials used to fabricate the mask and other parts of the machine that makes contact with your skin, it may or may not trigger specific allergic reactions.
- Loud noises
- Just like any typical airing device, the CPAP machine makes loud noises whenever it is on. This can make it harder to sleep or for anyone that can hear it.
- You may read about “How to Quiet Down a CPAP Machine” for some tips.
- Dry mouth
- Not only your nose, but the CPAP machine can also dry out your mouth. This may lead to infection if the machine is also not properly maintained.
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Every person is different, not everyone can easily get used to sleeping with a mask on that is attached to a loud machine with a short wire. It can be very challenging or even stressful.
- Accidentally unplugging the machine
- Due to the short cord that some CPAP machines are designed with, when the user falls into sleep and unconsciously moves around, they may end up unplugging the machine.
But most of these disadvantages are not common. Especially with the newly developed CPAP machines. They are now even better and can provide better comfort!
What are the benefits of using a CPAP machine?
After learning about the bad things… why don’t you check the good things too? Again, we would like to keep sayin/throat-exercisesg that a swollen lip is not a common issue for CPAP machine users.
In that case, here are the positive things a CPAP machine can give to you.
- Lessen daytime sleepiness
- Sleep apnea can make it difficult to fall asleep at night. If you use CPAP, you may prevent this.
- Anti-snoring device
- Using a CPAP mask can control snoring tendencies. Sleep apnea patients are often loud and constant snorers but with CPAP, now you can sleep better.
- No more morning headaches
- Sleep apnea also causes headaches. CPAP users report better mornings without headaches after using CPAP.
- Avoid heart failures
- May lead to fatal conditions such as brain damages or even death, CPAP can prevent heart failures caused by sleep apnea.
- Avoid heart attacks
- Sleep apnea can trigger heart attacks and can also be severely threatening however, this can be prevented by using the CPAP machine.
- Stop irregular heartbeats
- Irregular heartbeats worsens the ability to breathe and it can trigger anxiety but CPAP can bring your heartbeat pattern back to normal.
- Prevent stroke
- Getting hit by stroke can leave permanent damage that may lead to paralysis. Sleep apnea can also be the cause of stroke but the help of CPAP machine can lessen the risk of stroke.
- Improved control for emotions
- Sleep apnea can cause irritability and mental or emotional problems because it affects our physical health and our brain but CPAP can prevent it.
- Helps the body control your hormones
- Being sleep deprived can actually trigger diabetic tendencies! This is because your hormones will lose control due to lack of sleep which can be prevented or fixed by CPAP machines.
- Avoid uncontrolled weight gain or loss
- Sleep apnea also messes with the body’s hormones, causing the patient to usually gain weight uncontrollably. For rare cases, patients lose weight too. CPAP machines can prevent this.
- Avoiding high blood pressure
- Aside from your physical health, hypertension can also affect your mental health and relationship with people around you including your work. CPAP treatment can prevent this.
- Better ability to focus and memorize
- Sleep apnea reduces your ability to focus and worsens ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), but using CPAP machine can improve your ability to focus!
- Avoid driving accidents
- People with sleep apnea are prone to daytime sleepiness and can get sleepy while driving or lose focus which can lead to accidents, using a CPAP machine can prevent that.
- Wake up with full energy
- With sleep apnea, your energy will be reduced since you are unable to sleep well. The CPAP machine can fix that for you.
- Eliminates risk of seizure
- Sleep apnea patients are more prone to seizures during sleep compared to epilepsy patients without sleep apnea.
- Reduce medical expenses
- Untreated sleep apnea can lead to worsened health conditions or bring in other risky illnesses that can be prevented by using a CPAP machine, this way, you can avoid extra medical bills.
Related Questions
Can your CPAP machine make you sick?
Yes, if the CPAP machine is not properly cleaned on a weekly basis, it can make you sick. There are also rare cases of overusing the CPAP machine, sleeping with it for longer than 8 hours may trigger certain risks.
Although it is rare, there is still a chance.
CPAP machine users can be at risk for infection or skin irritation at most. Other than that, it doesn’t have any other reasons that can possibly make you sick.
What happens if your CPAP pressure is too high?
If your CPAP machine pressure is too high, you may experience certain issues such as mask leaks or air swallowing. It can also lead to dryness of the skin or skin irritation.
Please consult your doctor to get the ideal air pressure that you need and can tolerate.
