Nasal Pillow Sealer Tests

beautifuldreamer wrote:I wonder if Waxalene could help?
It is an alternative to petroleum jelly that I purchased from Whole Foods -

Wow. . . I never knew this stuff existed. The ingredients look very nice. Do you use this for your nasal sealant?

quietmorning wrote:

beautifuldreamer wrote:I wonder if Waxalene could help?
It is an alternative to petroleum jelly that I purchased from Whole Foods -

Wow. . . I never knew this stuff existed. The ingredients look very nice. Do you use this for your nasal sealant?

Actually I haven't tried it for that purpose. the reason i got the waxalene was once the dermatologist recommended petroleum jelly for healing a wound and the sales person at Whole Foods said Don't use petroleum product on your skin, that the Waxalene would be better, so that is how I came across it.

I might start using it though because my skin is getting irritated by the nasal pillows.

How about silicone ear plugs?
I have good luck with my pillows with nothing, but when I was using a full face mask, I found taking a silicone earplug (you get them at the drug store and they come in a box of 24 or 36) really helped keep the mask stuck to my face while also giving a good seal.
Just take one of the ear plugs and roll in into the shape of a snake (like you would Play-Dough) and put a circle of it around the pillows. Insert pillows...turn on the pressure and let's see what happens.

I've never tried this (and never will!) but I wonder if stoma adhesives used for colostomy bags would work? They come in various forms and the main idea is to NOT irritate skin.

I recommend steering clear of Petrolatum products on skin. Chapstick is based on petrolatum, and it actually ROBS your lips of their moisturizing ability. This might only be an issue on lips, but til I know better I'm not touching it...

Pugsy wrote:Wonder what my hair stuff would do...you know the kind we use to make the spiky look stay put?
Sticks to my hands something awful.
Just now put a tiny bit on my nostrils....OMG it smells wonderful.
Paul Mitchel
Mitch construction paste
Elastic hold
is on the tube...
ingredients ...it says...check the box...don't have the box
It probably has a banned substance in it but will go look.

Edit..most of the ingredients I didn't have a clue what they were but I think I recognize this one
Petrolatum

I suspected as much but you know such a tiny, tiny amount would be used if it hurt the silicone it would take along time and by then the nasal pillows would be tired anyway. It's not like it would eat it up or something right away.

Really??? Not sure why you would go through all this trouble.
I hate to state the obvious but... how about finding a pillow size (or complete mask) that fits your anatomy properly. Just dealing with the normal CPAP inconveniences is enough for me. The last thing I need is an ill-fitting, leaky mask.
I realise some people may have more trouble than others finding a suitable mask but there are so many makes and models out there that your efforts would likely be better rewarded by going that route. Not sure where you are located but in Canada, our medical suppliers help you find the right mask and even allow you to try them for a week or two at no (or minimal) charge. Perhaps there are similar services where you are.
Best of luck on your quest.
Sgt Wilko

Janknitz wrote:I've never tried this (and never will!) but I wonder if stoma adhesives used for colostomy bags would work? They come in various forms and the main idea is to NOT irritate skin.

I looked up the gel - which is probably what I would used and found that it is highly flammable. . .it has Butyl ester of PVM/MA copolymer, Alcohol, Cyamopsis tetragonolobus gum,
Propylene glycol, Isopropyl alcohol, Aqua, Bentone, Silica, PVP/VA Copolymer, Methylparaben, Butyl paraben and Pectin Pomosin - and while it is great to have next to the skin, it should not be inhaled. Soooooo. . . dernit. . .this would be perfect - and I mean PERFECT if you could inhale it.

:-/ Awesome idea, thanks for suggesting it. . . just wish it could be inhaled.

SgtWilko wrote:Really??? Not sure why you would go through all this trouble.
I hate to state the obvious but... how about finding a pillow size (or complete mask) that fits your anatomy properly. Just dealing with the normal CPAP inconveniences is enough for me. The last thing I need is an ill-fitting, leaky mask.
I realise some people may have more trouble than others finding a suitable mask but there are so many makes and models out there that your efforts would likely be better rewarded by going that route. Not sure where you are located but in Canada, our medical suppliers help you find the right mask and even allow you to try them for a week or two at no (or minimal) charge. Perhaps there are similar services where you are.
Best of luck on your quest.
Sgt Wilko

'Cause it's fun. . .and what doesn't work for one person might work very well for another - so it's nice to know that there might be a WHOLE LOT of choices out there to choose from, not just two. There is more than just me on this board, and more than me that might have the same issue and need some help trying to decide what will work best for them. Now they will have a whole post to look at what works and how it works and what absolutely does NOT work without wasting time trying figure it out when someone else already has.

My nasal pillow is very comfortable and works well with my sleeping style - it never leaked until just recently when my pressure went up. I think it's a whole lot MORE work to go through a ton of masks than just make sure my current one seals properly. I can't wear a face mask - I broke my nose when I was a kid and the bridge is now hyper sensitive. And I getta be creative with this stuff, and I LOVE that.

Coconut oil or cocoa butter? Nice smell.

chunkyfrog wrote:Coconut oil or cocoa butter? Nice smell.

I don't think it will be sticky enough, but I think I have some around here somewhere - I'll throw it into the test bin.

What about anyone of the Denture adhesives, Poly Grip?

physicsbob wrote:What about anyone of the Denture adhesives, Poly Grip?

I just checked the ingredients - unfortunately it has petrolatum in it.

If you can get some food grade sodium alginate, that would be sticky.

chunkyfrog wrote:If you can get some food grade sodium alginate, that would be sticky.

Now, why didn't I think of that!!

Wonder if it smells a lil fishy?

I put it on the list, it isn't too expensive - and I know seaweed is uber good for you and loaded with protein. . . so . . .here goes. . .

imfletch wrote:How about silicone ear plugs?
I have good luck with my pillows with nothing, but when I was using a full face mask, I found taking a silicone earplug (you get them at the drug store and they come in a box of 24 or 36) really helped keep the mask stuck to my face while also giving a good seal.
Just take one of the ear plugs and roll in into the shape of a snake (like you would Play-Dough) and put a circle of it around the pillows. Insert pillows...turn on the pressure and let's see what happens.

Picked some up today - thank you for the suggestion!