My Last Words on the Subject

Amigo · Post by **Amigo** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:58 am

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petrol ... ly/AN00947

Question: I've put petroleum jelly on the inside of my nose for years to relieve dryness. I recently heard that this practice can cause a condition called lipoid pneumonia. Is this true?

Answer: In general, petroleum jelly is safe to use. But a potential problem from inhaling fat-based substances (lipoids), such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil, for prolonged periods is lipoid pneumonia.
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Folks, I apologize for how long this "debate" has gone on as I'm sure most of you are very tired of reading about it.

We all make choices in life, weighing the benefits against the risks, and, obviously, the use of Vaseline for reducing the irritation of nasal pillows is one of them in the CPAP community.

What works for me, and what I'm completely comfortable with, is a LIGHT coating on the EXTERIOR of my nares where the pillows make contact with the skin. It stays "moist" all night (unlike water-based gels), does not create its own irritation (like saline-based products), and in addition to eliminating irritation, helps provide a slightly better seal. I have never recommended "stuffing" your nose with it where, as rare and uncommon as it may be, it could be forced it into your lungs and create problems.

My main concern throughout all of this dialogue has been the use of "scare tactics," which many of our anonymous "Guests" are famous for. In fairness, especially to our newer members, I felt some form of rebuttal was needed.

Yes, I have lost my temper, and for that I again apologize, but I assure you that I will continue to try and balance any and all overblown prattle and mis-information from those who are obviously here only to mislead or somehow feed their own egos.

Thanks again to all of you for your patience and understanding.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:18 am

YEAH! What he said..........!

Chuck

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:48 am

Thanks Amigo for your common sense approach to self care. I find your comments helpful.

It's hard to not respond when someone baits you, more difficult when this or these hide behind the "shield " of guest status.

Brent Hutto · Post by **Brent Hutto** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:55 am

The debate was ugly but if it served no other purpose, it raised my interest enough to try a little Vaseline on my nares instead of Ayr Gel. The petrolatum works much better, the gradual leakage that was creeping into my Swift toward morning no longer occurs.

My nose is not the ideal shape for the Swift and the Vaseline seems to provide just enough better seal that the pillows no longer have to be absolutely, positively perfectly positioned (which is hard to achieve for a side sleeper who tosses about a lot) in order to seal well. I think the Ayr Gel tended to dry out and go away after 4-5 hours.

ufo13 · Post by **ufo13** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:27 am

Just my 2 cents worth! I think Amigo is a real good guy! People take shots at him because HE tells it like it is! Some people are so insecure - It has to be thier way or no way, or are not open to any information if it doesn't fit thier point of vue etc, etc, and some of them hide behind the guest post situation! I have always gained much knowledge from Amigo's post's and I know he always tells it straight forward to the best of his ability to help others and I for one will always appreciate his HONESTY!!!

Steve,
ufo13

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:29 am

There will always be extremist and alarmist responses to virtually anything.
When ignorance is combined, the situation often gets out of control.

In the old days, there was a vicks vatranol drops and spray. It was removed from the market when it was found to cause pneumonia in some cases.

This happens when it is aerosolized and inhaled into the lobes of the lungs, creating big problems.

Topical application to the nasal passages will not cause this problem because it does not get into the lobes. The vapor point is much below body temperature or any temps with the humidifier.
There may be problems if it is put in the tank, but not much.

Some people do not let facts get in their way when their minds are made up.
Same is true with the bunch that are concerned with bacteria or pathogens coming up from the humidifier.
It simply does not happen. This will not prevent the next posting in a few days of the dangers of getting infection from their humidifier.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:54 am

Amigo wrote:My main concern throughout all of this dialogue has been the use of "scare tactics," which many of our anonymous "Guests" are famous for. In fairness, especially to our newer members, I felt some form of rebuttal was needed.

I'm with you on this, Amigo. Keep up the good work. There appears to be a determined agenda on the part of some of our "guest" posters, and the best way to combat that is with common sense.

Regards,
Bill

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:56 am

Oops, that'd be me above.

Regards,
Bill .

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:54 am

ufo13 wrote:Just my 2 cents worth! I think Amigo is a real good guy! People take shots at him because HE tells it like it is! Some people are so insecure - It has to be thier way or no way, or are not open to any information if it doesn't fit thier point of vue etc, etc, and some of them hide behind the guest post situation! I have always gained much knowledge from Amigo's post's and I know he always tells it straight forward to the best of his ability to help others and I for one will always appreciate his HONESTY!!!

Steve,
ufo13

DITTO!!!

Den

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 11:04 am

Plus I've discovered that vaseline really works well on your lips before taping your mouth. I can now endure mouth taping because of vaseline.
I use Roezit on my nares and have had to reapply in the middle of the night when leaks reappear. Maybe I'll try vaseline there too!

Maryb

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:24 am

good post, amigo. and nice to see that some recognize the benefits of vaseline. although it did seem for a while that many did, and probably still do, think of vaseline as a weapon of mass destruction. the point is, people ought to feel free to do whatever works for them and share that with others. sometimes on this board it feels like there is only one right way to do stuff, rather than a gathering of options.

caroline

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:48 am

chdurie2, aka Caroline wrote: . . . sometimes on this board it feels like there is only one right way to do stuff, rather than a gathering of options.

What makes you say that, Caroline? Can you be more specific?

Regards,
Bill (thinking feedback is good)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:29 pm

thanks for asking, but i'd rather not get into it. let's leave it at the vaseline discussion has been a case in point.

caroline

elliejose · Post by **elliejose** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:53 pm

Because I have breathing problems, I have been using Mentholatum around the exterior of nares, also, for quite some time now. This works much better than Ayr Gel for me. As this particular jar of Mentholatum is not very new, it is not very strong but does the job.

Now what may be the danger, I don't know, but I have lived for 61 years and as a child I ate it, put it up my nose, around my nose, on my lips, on my chest, on insect bites, etc. Haven't had any problems from it thus far. And thanks to Amigo, I decided to try it around nares for cpap. Thus far, my Swift is 14 months old and still works for me. Can't see that Mentholatum has done it any harm either.

Thank goodness, we don't all have the same ideas and opinions, or how would we ever learn anything from other folks!!??

Just my .02 worth. For what it is worth!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:56 pm

elliejose wrote:Because I have breathing problems, I have been using Mentholatum around the exterior of nares, also, for quite some time now.

Now what may be the danger, I don't know, but I have lived for 61 years and as a child I ate it, put it up my nose, around my nose, on my lips, on my chest, on insect bites, etc. Haven't had any problems from it thus far. [/url]

You have been using Mentholatum since childhood and now you have breathing problems? Hmmmmm?

My Last Words on the Subject

My Last Words on the Subject

Right on!

Good Guy!!!!

petrolemu jelly

Re: My Last Words on the Subject

Re: Good Guy!!!!

vaseline also good for lips

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection