aromatherapy oils in cpap machine

[Margali]

Adding an aromatic oil in the intake of a blower brings oils in contact with the gaskets and o-ring materials in the machine. If you add oil in humidifier or using adapter on hose it is downwind of the CPAP guts. This means any compatibility issues are limited to humidifier reservoir, tubing, and mask.
You would need to know materials to do compatibility check. I haven't found any BOM data so I can't give an opinion on compatibility. However, the humidifier reservoir, etc are much cheaper than the CPAP unit itself. FYI: I'm a mechanical engineer working in mechanical integrity and reliability in my day job.

[subyroo]

I looked into it when I first started cpappy therapy but could not get past breathing that stuff into my lungs.  If it gunks up your tank and hose imagine what it would do to delicate lung tissue.  just my humble opinion.

Can't be any worse smelling than the fumes from the aluminum tank in the humidifier when it runs dry. I have had my tank run dry a few times.

[xntrick]

When I first acquired my CPAP machine I was warned against using oils in the humidifier tank because it can cause petroleum (oil) based pneumonia but I’ve always wondered about it anyway. When I was a child I used to use Vick’s to clear a stuffy nose and when I have a cold I’d love to be able to have that scent running through my CPAP.

[subyroo]

I would like to have a hint of Lavender in my humidifier.  

Found the following when checking out Vick's makeup. So it sounds like the " it can cause petroleum (oil) based pneumonia" would be fact.

Why are you not supposed to put Vicks in your nose?

Over time, the oil components of VapoRub or petroleum jelly can't be cleared from the lungs. This can lead to cough, shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity. There are no effective treatment options for this type of pneumonia, so it is never advisable to place any oil-containing substances into the nostrils.

[OMyMyOHellYes]

I would vote for NO fumes. I would vociferously vote NO fumes on a cotton ball near the intake.

I was in a corporate apartment for several months last year and early this year. The ditsy bimbos that ran the place thought that the Glade or Fabreeze plug in oil diffuses were the shizzle and put several in each apartment. I threw that crap out as soon as I could find it, but now my travel machine still stinks like those things and it won't go away. I put it in the same category as cigarette smoke. I almost consider the unit scrapped because of it. And that's a shame for a good quality unit with very low hours.

OMMOHY

[Tlmang]

You need to use a high quality of Essential oils... I use Young Living Essential oils and have had no problem for 10 year using it nightly. 

Other oils have all kinds of additives that add that lingering smell.

Better night sleep with some Frankincense helping me with my sleep.

Thanks, 

Enjoy,

Terry

[Doctor]

Somewhere in my mind long ago, I thought I remembered that aromatic oil scents were not a good thing to have running through your machine. I know that we are not talking about a lot of oil here, but any additive over time could be detrimental to the innards of the CPAP and/or hose.  We normally would be conscious for only about thirty minutes or so before sleep (enjoying the eucalyptus), so why have the aromatic scent running though the machine for the remainder of the night. Maybe just use a shot of some eucalyptus spray in your bedroom before bed. Lavender is supposed to be a calming scent also.

Yes!   There are many studies showing the calming therapeutic benefits of inhaling Lavender.  It should be water extracted to avoid organic solvents.

Sample study:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26211735/