Itchy Scalp

Hi All: Once a put on my Respironics headgear (with nasal mask) on and lay down, my scalp starts to itch. One location, then another. It gets annoying. FYI, I wear a "Do Rag" between my scalp and headgear to alleviate dents on my thin hair from the headgear straps. However, with or without the rag, my scalp itches. Once I take off the rag and headgear, the itching stops and I fall asleep without benefit of my CPAP machine. I've washed my headgear in dandruff shampoo and the rag in a mild detergent, but that doesn't seem to help.

Any suggestions is appreciated.

I just scratch under my straps. Perhaps the "Do Rag" is the problem.

Hi Woody:

It appears that your brain has successfully made the association between CPAP and "Itch".

You must un-train your brain now. You must never, ever fall asleep without your mask and CPAP on. It isn't safe for you to do that anymore. Here's how to correct it: When you put your mask on and your scalp begins to itch, remove the mask as you get yourself out of bed. Go out of your bedroom and read a book, relax in a chair with a hot cup of soothing tea...just stay out of bed until you start feeling sleepy again. Then, go back to bed and put your mask on and turn on your machine. Relax. If your scalp begins to itch again, take your mask off and leave the bedroom once again. Go back to your book, drink another cup of tea, listen to some relaxing, soft music until you get sleepy again. Then, try again and repeat this process until you fall asleep with your mask and CPAP on. If you are awakened by an itchy scalp, get up again and go through the process once more - or twice more - or however many times it takes to finally fall asleep again with your mask and machine on. You will finally need sleep so bad that your brain won't pay any attention at all to any itch anywhere.

Keep at this until your itch just disappears. Keep repeating the process each night. As you are waiting for sleep to overtake you, with your mask and machine on, think about all the good things that CPAP is doing for you in great detail. Eventually, your brain will associate CPAP with relaxation and sweet, refreshing sleep.

Wash your hair more than once per week with your dandruff shampoo and follow with a soothing conditioner (the kind you massage in, leave for a few minutes, then rinse out).

Keep up the good work.

I have the same problem. I think we're just allergic to the material of the head gear or the heat that it causes on our scalp.

ResMed make a variation of the Swift FX called the Bella, which straps that loop over the ears instead of going around the head. It might help. Click on this link to get some idea (if I got it right)

https://www.vitalitymedical.com/resmed-swift-fx-bella-face-mask-pink-gray.html

I developed a severe allergic reaction to the straps on my mask. Ended up on Prednisone . Putting a t-shirt between the straps and my head is helping.