Mask straps giving me rash

[Kazimodo]

Hello all , been using my Res Med Air sense 10 for 5 years now ,
would not live without it , but .....
lately the straps of my Mirage FX mask are giving me a rash ,
everywhere it touches my skin , both sides of my forehead and both ears ,
skin itches , burns , irritates , dries and skin peeling off , worse part is falling asleep with those
making me itch  , reason why I'm starting the thread at 02:35 AM .

I have purchased satin do-rags to put around my head with the straps running outside the 
'' satin night hats '' but the itching still happens .
Yes I wash the staps , tried dish soap , even soaking straps in Peroxyde ,
can't help but think it is bacteria on the straps giving my skin rashes ,
I look like a leper with my itching forehead ....

  Does anyone have a special methd they use to clean the straps ,
the silicone cushion around my nose is not a problem , only where the straps touch my skin .
Going nuts ....LOL 
Thanks for any advice ...

[trailrider]

You've done everything I can think of off-hand.
Contamination of other sort like yeast/fungus, or poison ivy... (rolling around in the woods with it were you...???)

Buy new straps.

If you still have problems with new straps, I'd see a doctor for latex or other skin contact allergy.
Have you tried an over the counter steroidcreme to reduce itching or Benadryl?

Waving hi from down the 416.

[DeepBreathing]

Have a look at Pad-a-cheek liners. They are specifically designed to prevent the straps coming in contact with your skin. Supplier #31

[Kazimodo]

Thanks for the quick reply Trailrider ,
I guess its time to order another set of straps ,
 I'll take out an old set I kept ,to see if the itching is only from the recent straps .
those old straps have stretched to double the lenght ....

I ordered a set of '' Pad a cheek '' they go over the Res Med straps ,
but testing those will be in 5 to 21 days , shipping time ...

416 ,,, Ottawa , use to have to drive there from Montreal , in the late 80's , for 1 day's work,
working on the railroad go Ottawa to Pembroke and back ,
remember stoping in Portage du Fort and look up at the sky at night , 
to this day I still have never seen so many stars in the sky , it's pretty dark there .
-Mike.
------------------------------------
EDIT;
Oh , thanks Deep breathing , I guess I did the right thing ordering the pad-a -cheek
I used to buy baby socks at Walmart and cut toes off the socks , use those to prevent strap marks ,
very inexpensive...
you replied while I typed .....reason for edit ..

[Kazimodo]

9 days later the straps are here .
tools to fish straps thru the pads supplied ..

[trailrider]

Let us know how it goes! Hope it heals up!

[Sheepish]

Hope they work for you. You can also try the DIY solution linked to in my signature below.

[roads]

I wonder if you might have developed an allergic reaction to the strap material itself.
 
My only problem with straps is that the rubbing against my skin can cause a rash. This has been a big problem with my AirTouch mask.
I have to keep a scrap of cloth wrapped around the straps that rest on the back of my neck.