bacteria and allergies?
in [Sleep Disorder]
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From: Brenda on 30 Jul 2008 19:20 I understand that bacteria can form in my bipap equipment if not cleaned regularly. Question is: can bacteria cause allergies to flare up with sniffles, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. I asked my bipap provider and they say no but no matter what medication I take, my allergies act up every few days and this has been going on for several months. Brenda
From: Pope Pie (Sy Lehrman) on 30 Jul 2008 20:19 Brenda wrote: > I understand that bacteria can form in my bipap equipment if not cleaned > regularly. Question is: can bacteria cause allergies to flare up with > sniffles, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. I asked my bipap provider and they > say no but no matter what medication I take, my allergies act up every few > days and this has been going on for several months. > I don't see how you can infect yourself with something you already have. I mean, if you get a cold and sneeze in the mask and don't clean it out very well you can hardly expect to get the cold you already have. I'd start by finding out what you're allergic to rather than worry about sterilizing the mask beyond simple cleanliness. Mind you, if you have a pollen allergy it might be collecting in the filter and then it might be forced through when it was built up enough or something like that, but that would just be the allergy you have reacting to what it reacts to. You might have a look at the filter system, but I wouldn't worry about infection as such. But then, I just work here, lady, I don't have any authority.
From: Denny on 30 Jul 2008 20:46 Brenda wrote: > I understand that bacteria can form in my bipap equipment if not cleaned > regularly. How, and where, did you get this understanding? Stop and think! You are breathing the same air as you and your family are breathing 24/7, but your air is also filtered. If you are using distilled water, as you should be, there is no bacteria in it. > Question is: can bacteria cause allergies to flare up with > sniffles, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. I asked my bipap provider and they > say no but no matter what medication I take, my allergies act up every few > days and this has been going on for several months. > > Brenda > > ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
From: Tiger_Lily on 30 Jul 2008 20:54 Brenda wrote: > I understand that bacteria can form in my bipap equipment if not cleaned > regularly. Question is: can bacteria cause allergies to flare up with > sniffles, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. I asked my bipap provider and they > say no but no matter what medication I take, my allergies act up every few > days and this has been going on for several months. > > Brenda > > have you changed the air filter on your CPAP? my allergies have basically gone away since i started CPAP i wash the filter out a number of times before i deem it 'time to replace' -- kate
From: Pope Pie (Sy Lehrman) on 31 Jul 2008 00:29
Denny wrote: > Brenda wrote: >> I understand that bacteria can form in my bipap equipment if not >> cleaned regularly. > > How, and where, did you get this understanding? > > Stop and think! You are breathing the same air as you and your family > are breathing 24/7, but your air is also filtered. If you are using > distilled water, as you should be, there is no bacteria in it. > Well you are, I suppose, forcing more air into the system, which is the way the CPAP works, so it may be that that means you are coming into contact with more of whatever you are allergic too. If you are getting more allergies you might try a different filter or rig up a different filter for the CPAP or just get a nice HEPA filter for the room and let it run to take the dust and stuff out of the air. I wouldn't worry about the bacteria, but, as I say, I just work here. |