Sore nose

[Equine mom]

I have been  having issues with getting sores in my nose when I used my CPAP for a couple of weeks.  I quit using it, they healed.  Repeat.  I went to see the RT today, and am switching masks.  I was using a Dreamwear, and am trying the resmed N-20 now.  He said that, especially given where they are getting sore, it's likely from the humidification being pushed right onto my nose.  I hope that this works better.

[eplantz]

A lot of people have some problems with tender nostrils, particularly at the start. One of the things that helps is Lansinoh breast cream---the stuff sold to nursing mothers to soothe cracked, dry, sore breasts and nipples.  You can find it in the baby aisle of most supermarkets as well as stores like Walmart, Target and K-Mart.   It's made out of lanolin, which does not harm the silicone in the nasal pillows (unlike vaseline).  It's a bit pricy, but one tube goes a long, long way.  Just put a very small dab on each nostril every night and rub it in before you mask up.

[Purplejilly]

I use cheap bandaids from the dollar store or big lots, and wear a bandaid every night on my nose where the mask hits. It works perfectly. The reason for cheap bandaids is because the glue is not that strong and therefore wont be a huge pain to take off when you wake up in the morning.  Dont use waterproof or high quality ones, with the physical pressure of the mask they hurt to take off the next morning!  

Ive been doing this for years and it totally prevents the nose pressure blisters.

[NadiaK]

I use cheap bandaids from the dollar store or big lots, and wear a bandaid every night on my nose where the mask hits. It works perfectly. The reason for cheap bandaids is because the glue is not that strong and therefore wont be a huge pain to take off when you wake up in the morning.  Dont use waterproof or high quality ones, with the physical pressure of the mask they hurt to take off the next morning!  

Ive been doing this for years and it totally prevents the nose pressure blisters.

Thanks for posting this.  I am going to try this with my Airtouch F20.  When I tried the Airfit F20, it put pressure on my nose which gave me headaches.  Hopefully with the new memory foam in the Airtouch along with your bandaid suggestion I won't have this issue.

[Purplejilly]

Good, let me know how it works! It's been a saving grace for me because I was starting to get ulcers on my nose so severely that I couldn't wear my mask,  until I discovered the Band-Aid trick

[JackieW]

After getting my deviated septum fixed I lost moisture in my nose. I put a small dab of petroleum jelly in each nostril at night and have no problems with drying out nasal cavities - which sounds like your problem. You can buy tubes (vs. jars) in the baby isle...I find the jar is too messy.

[S.L. Ping Beauty]

When I first started CPAP with nasal pillows, it chapped and chafed my nostrils.  Where I live it is extremely dry and lip balm is not only a necessity it is almost a religion (LOL.)   

Commercial Link Removed. I like Burt's Bees Lip Balm.  Do a google search. When I use it daily (hourly)  I also dab a little on each nostril opening and over a couple of days the irritation went away.

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[Purplejilly]

no, this wasn't from the inside of my nose, from the air rushing by, this was on the bridge of my nose, like where your glasses would sit.

[Hydrangea]

Equinemom - That's interesting. Good idea to try a different mask.

I had no trouble with DreamWear. But the P10s irritate the inside skin of my nostril, and the skin peels every couple weeks. Not fun. (But I prefer the quietness of the P10s, so I endure.)