Best mask for African nose shape?

[Asjb]

Asking for a friend of black African origin who is having problems finding an oro-facial mask that fits properly with her shape of nose - that she describes as “typically African” i.e. wider nostrils and flatter root than a Caucasian nose.
Any suggestions please? Thanks

[Osiris357]

My suggestion would be to keep trying different mask until they find one. That’s what everyone has had to do because nobody for the most part has the same facial features. What I did was I got a lifetime prescription for cpap supplies and bought masks out of pocket with return insurance from Supplier #1. I kept the ones that worked well and returned the others. If they are unable to do that try to work with the DME. That will be a challenge, at least it was for me. That’s why I got the lifetime script. Best of luck to your friend

P.S. I settled on 3 masks to use. The RedMed AirFit F20, F30 and P30i. With the P30i being my main mask

[djont57]

I would think that a Dreamwear Medium-Wide cushion would work.

[mesenteria]

It may end up being a non-obvious choice but augmented with a foam cushion cover of some kind, and after-market product.

FWIW, regardless of one's ethnicity or race, most of us don't find joy with our first couple of masks.  We keep looking, experimenting, and facing disappointment until finally something works.   

I hope our asker gets relief.

[booksfan]

Take a look at the Bleep. No head gear and it attaches to ANY shape/size nose. On the outside. Worth taking a look, I think.

[ragtopcircus]

So, I know what an African nose looks like from the front, but I’ve never taken an intimate peek up the nostrils. My guess is that they are rounder than my large-but-narrow nostrils. That suggests a P30i (my favorite) or P10.

The N30 in size small-wide might be an option, but I haven’t tried it.

I suspect the F20 may cause some restriction in the nose due to pressing on the sides.

[Asjb]

Thank you very much for the replies. My friend is going to try the Resmed Air Foam mask first, then try your suggestions.

It's strange though that so few people replied - is there any evidence that people of Afro-Caribbean origin are less affected by aleep apnoea?

[Gideon]

I am extremely cautious in responding to anything that is of "racial" background. I see PEOPLE, and all people are different, BUT when I have described someones "features" as Africian I was called into the "Bosses" office and reprimanded. I no longer view the woman that accused me as a woman, but as a "black" woman, with all the baggage that comes with that.

The fact is that masks are very individual and must be tried on. Masks are, in fact, color blind. A wide version of a mask may or may not work.

[harrywr2]

"is there any evidence that people of Afro-Caribbean origin are less affected by sleep apnoea?"

For males the evidence is that the opposite is true.
Men(regardless of race) are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea then woman(by about 3-1).

The first question on the Stop-Bang Sleep Apnea screening questionnaire is whether or not you snore loud enough that your partner elbows you or you can be heard through a wall. It's generally socially acceptable for a wife to complain about her husband's snoring...the opposite if may not true.

[ragtopcircus]

For me, the F20 Air Touch did not work at all. The foam tended to turn under, pressing in the sides of my nose. This caused even more congestion than the F20. My nose is not even remotely African in shape though.

I may be wrong, but I suspect people of African descent are disproportionately under-treated for apnea all over the world. It is also possible that they are actually less susceptible due to physiological differences, but I doubt it.