The right mask for you!
Mask fitting support and education
Masks explained
There are many masks to choose from in the market, below we have a sample of the main masks types that are currently available through Air Liquide healthcare.
Masks come in varyious shapes and sizes to suit and fit all face shapes. The right mask for you, is the one mask that fits comfortably while delivering an effective therapy while allowing you to sleep through the night.
These are masks that have limited / minimal contact with the skin and are available in nasal and full-face options. The nasal option includes nasal pillows that sit inside your nose or cushions that sit just under the nose. The full-face option includes smaller masks that sit under the nose and around the mouth. Both mask types reduce the pressure applied to pressure points such as the bridge of the nose and forehead. These masks are generally smaller in size.
These masks allow for a more secure fit and cover the entire nose and These are used for effective delivery of all pressures for patients that can breathe through the nose. If you have any history of broken nose, blocked nose, or previous surgery to the nose then this mask type may be unsuitable. It is important that you can breathe through your nose normally when using these masks.
Nasal pillow masks are small and discreet and fit directly inside the nostrils for those persons who can breathe well through the nose. They are most widely used by persons who are requiring lower therapy pressures and those who are claustrophobic and can be easily removed when required. Humidification is usually recommended with this mask type to avoid any irritation inside the nostrils while using therapy for a long number of hours. These masks are also useful for users who need to be able to attract attention while using therapy.
These masks will typically cover the nose and mouth and are considered to be the best for people who are mouth breathers and who suffer from nasal blockages or cannot breathe through the nose. It can be more difficult to fit a full-face mask well especially in cases of facial hair e.g., beards, moustaches.