Your CPAP machine is very important to your health and well-being. Since you will place the mask on your face and inhale your breaths from it as you sleep, you are going to want to be sure that it is clean. There are a lot of ways that it can get dirty. First of all, there is the fact that condensation will build up that can have germs and bacteria from your own mouth. Then, there is the fact that it can also collect dust and other germs just from the environment. Finally, there is the fact that the moist tubes and other parts will be huge targets for more germs and bacteria to grow, as well as mold. You don't want to be putting something that is unhealthy on your face at night and breathing all of that nasty stuff right into your lungs all night, and this is why it is crucial for you to understand just how important it is to clean your CPAP and that you have other information on keeping it clean.
How can a dirty CPAP directly affect your health?
If the above information didn't scare you enough and you need more convincing, then you want to learn about just some of the illnesses and other health problems that you can end up with just because you didn't make sure that you were using clean CPAP parts.
Some of the illnesses and health issues include chest congestion, respiratory infection, throat irritation, hives, coughing, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, increased asthma attacks, sinus infection, allergy flare-ups, and more. If you are feeling sick and you don't know why you keep feeling that way, then it could be a dirty CPAP machine. If you find that your CPAP machine smells bad, then it needs to be cleaned. If you are getting rashes on your face, getting pimples on your face, or having other skin irritations on your face, then this is also a sign you need to clean the CPAP parts.
How often do CPAPs normally need to be cleaned?
First of all, anytime you see signs of a dirty CPAP, then you should clean it no matter how recently it was cleaned. However, most masks should be cleaned every few months, and the cushions should be replaced a couple of times a month. The tubing should be cleaned once a week using warm water and gentle liquid soap. Be sure to rinse the soap out and hang the tubing to allow it to dry, keeping it away from direct sunlight.
Contact a local CPAP supplier to learn more about keeping your CPAP clean.