Nasal pillow causing nose irritation

After my new sleep study of last week, the pressure of the air was increased to 10. The Respironics Wisp mask that I was loaned had a nose pillow that was not fitting well, so I switched to my Swift FX Bella with nasal pillows. Now the increased pressure dried out one nostril and now I cannont stop sneezing and blowing my nose! Help!

ps My sleep study doctor called me and said I only slept 45 minutes during the whole night of study even though I had taken an ambien.

Are you using the humidifier? If so at what setting?

I did turn on the humidifier when I first felt the pressure burning in my nostril. It is only set on 1 as we live in a very humid area (Gulf Coast).

Try a little more humidity.
Itching, sneezing, dryness, allergy like symptoms can all come from the nasal mucosa being dried out.

OK, thanks. I have taken 2 Centrizine tablets, and when they didn't work I took 2 Benidryl (sp?), but nothing is stopping the sneezing, etc.

Try using a lot of something like Simply Saline to rehydrate the nasal mucosa.

Thanks, will do.

You mention "pressure burning in my nostril" in your post. When I had this experience, it was because the nasal pillow size was too small and the air was angled into the septum instead of into the air passage. A larger size pillow was the answer for me. Hopefully it will help you, too.

Thanks, will try that, too.

My nose is getting raw inside and out thanks to the blowing and sneezing! No help from the benadryl (sp?) or Centrizine. Can't go to store to get anything else as eyes keep watering, too. Tried sniffing homemade saline but no help from it.

Get some Lansinoh from Walmart in the baby section, I've used it for sore noses and it's also good for stopping those leaks around the pillows, it's pure lanolin.

OK, thanks, when I can quit sneezing enough to get out of the house. How does the Lanolin help the seal? My facial skin sags enough when laying down that pillows usually leak air unless I have it really tight which is uncomfortable.

gsbuck wrote:OK, thanks, when I can quit sneezing enough to get out of the house. How does the Lanolin help the seal? My facial skin sags enough when laying down that pillows usually leak air unless I have it really tight which is uncomfortable.

It's tacky and you only need a little bit around your nasal edges. I learned about it from the older ones on the forum when I started. It's used by breast feeding mothers on their nipples and it doesn't hurt your pillows. I don't use pillows anymore but I do use it when my nose gets sore. It's pure lanolin.