Aura/Everest/TwilightNP Sore on Nose

[laurie2025]

Well, this is my second mask/interface. I love it. I can sleep with it no problem. Now my only issue is I have a sore, out toward the tip of my nose, just at the edge of my left nostril/nare. It's on the edge, not the inside or the outside. I use Ayr gel every night. I tried switching from the large pillows to the medium, but I was unable to get a good seal. I am wondering how to place the tights/nylons at the nose. I have mine coming from the front underside of the nose, covering the bottom and front of the nose, up around behind the hose and tied on the top/back of my head. I am wondering if the way I have this positioned could be causing my problem? I had the headgear adjusted so it was in the farthest "up" position it could go, I tried dropping it down 2 "clicks" for lack of a better word, but that was too loose, so I pushed it back up and then down 1 "click" or level.
Any ideas anyone?
Thank you!

[rested gal]

I am wondering how to place the tights/nylons at the nose. I have mine coming from the front underside of the nose, covering the bottom and front of the nose, up around behind the hose and tied on the top/back of my head.

That's the way I place the bottom homemade strap, routing it upward just like you described. I wear it the way you do...not the way it is in the picture I posted of me wearing it.

You might try some antibiotic ointment to heal the little sore. Maybe take a break from the Aura and wear another mask until the little sore heals.

If it happens again when you resume wearing the Aura, I dunno. Perhaps you're tying the bottom homemade strap a little too snugly? But you've probably already tried loosening the tension.

You *could* try placing the bottom strap down toward the back of your neck, as it is in my picture. Maybe that would change how the pillow hits your nostril. I don't think the pillows assembly stays put quite as well with the strap around back of neck, but maybe it would for you.

[laurie2025]

Thanks Rested Gal. I just ordered another mask/interface to alternate with, and I tried the tights going straight across and down to the back of my head/neck area. I also took a tiny piece of the tape that I use on my mouth, and covered the sore with it, after putting neosporin right on the sore. It seemed to hurt less this a.m. Thanks for the advice. Hope the new mask comes soon.

[blarg]

I had the same exact thing on my left nostril when I started my Aura. It scabbed over, and at that point it hurt too much to use my Aura. I used my Activa for one night, and then went back to my Aura, and now it's healed. I hope yours goes away soon too!

[laurie2025]

Thanks! I just ordered another mask to use until the sore heals up.
Laurie

[Linda3032]

What Rested Gal said.

My first thought is that you have the hose too tight. You are positioning it just like I do mine.

Another thought is that both Rested Gal and I have removed the headgear from our Auras. Perhaps the headgear causes the whole interface to slide/shift back and forth over the nares.

I've used the Aura for a year now, and absolutely love it.

[rested gal]

Another thought is that both Rested Gal and I have removed the headgear from our Auras. Perhaps the headgear causes the whole interface to slide/shift back and forth over the nares.

I've used the Aura for a year now, and absolutely love it.

Good point, Linda, about the way you and I removed the headgear entirely and use our own homemade straps. The headgear was, indeed, "just barely enough" too big on me that it did tend to shift a bit.

I didn't think of that...you may have zeroed in on why the nasal pillow may be rubbing Laurie wrong occasionally. Good catch.

[blarg]

The cause of my red mark is that my left nostril is much smaller than my right due to cleft lip surgery I had as a baby. I find now that I've let the sore heal I'm fine.

[Guest]

Yes, the headdgear is huge on my head. I think there is about 1/2" of velcro holding it in the back and I have used some of my mouth tape wrapped around it to hold it together. So, the headgear is definitely loose. I am going to have to figure some way to either tighten the strap or remove the headgear as you all did.
Laurie

[laurie2025]

Forgot to log in! That was my post.

[Born Tired]

Yes, the headdgear is huge on my head. I think there is about 1/2" of velcro holding it in the back and I have used some of my mouth tape wrapped around it to hold it together. So, the headgear is definitely loose. I am going to have to figure some way to either tighten the strap or remove the headgear as you all did.
Laurie

Hi Laurie,
If you are not a back sleeper you might try what I did. I shortened the strap (that goes around the base of your head) by pinching up a portion of the fuzzy part of the strap, then folding it over and using a safety pin to hold it in the shortened position. This made it short enough that the hooks on the velcro were able to grab onto the fuzzy fabric. It makes a slight lump where it is pinned, but since I am rarely on my back it doesn't bother me. This made the headgear fit snug enough so I didn't need to use the homemade strap around the nose. I almost never had to adjust it once it was set. Just popped it on and off like a baseball cap--well except for the nasal pillows thingy. The worst part for me was the hat hair in the mornings. Which is why after well over a year I have finally deconstructed my beloved Aura. It's not bad this way but I did really like the feel (of nothing on my face) and ease of donning and removing it with the headgear. Who knows--in time I may love the deconstructed model as much as RG and Linda.
Esther
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[telly]

Well, this is my second mask/interface. I love it. I can sleep with it no problem. Now my only issue is I have a sore, out toward the tip of my nose, just at the edge of my left nostril/nare. It's on the edge, not the inside or the outside. I use Ayr gel every night. I tried switching from the large pillows to the medium, but I was unable to get a good seal.

Hi Laurie,
I was surprised by your post because I have the exact same sore in the exact same spot.

Except that I am using a Swift not an Aura.

I, too, think I should order a different mask. I'd like an Aura, but if it makes a sore in a different place, perhaps I'll try something different than a nasal pillow solution.

Maybe I'll just go back to my Low Budget Comfort Gel until the sore heals over.

I am a side sleeper and my Swift seems to be doing the job. Other than the sore, the mask is working out GREAT. It's comfortable and I am not aware of any leaks. My AHI is dropping, I've stopped mouth taping and am moving forward.

I am glad that I don't have to do any big tweaks to the headgear like wearing pantyhose on my head. I'm sorry you folks have to go through that.

[Elle]

I am now switching from activa comfort gell to the breeze becaue of the nasal sores. I was told to put vasaline on the pillows but someone in here said that breaks down the material. i think i will do it anyway and just replace the pillows when they break down. i have alternated cortisone cream and a strong topical antibiotic ointment (fucidin) that heals the sore pretty quickly but it is frustrating to wake up with that sore.
I find the breeze more comfortable to sleep but it is a bit noisier than the activa. nice to be able to switch masks though. it is good to know that we arent alone in this.

[telly]

I am now switching from activa comfort gell to the breeze becaue of the nasal sores. I was told to put vasaline on the pillows but someone in here said that breaks down the material.

Amazing how a little nasal sore can ruin an otherwise great experience. .

[Elle]

I just re-read my post and see that I meant to say that I switch from breeze to the activa b/c of sores ...not other way around. d'oy