gah, nose sores from pillows

[Jason2483]

I've been using the swift nasal pillows for 10 months or so. (I'm on my 2nd set). I generally love the mask and can't sleep without it. However, I've been getting extremely painful bumps in my nose from time to time from the pillows. Anyone know of a solution? I hate using a nasal mask...so I don't like the idea of giving up the pillows over this.

[Elle]

I haven't used the pillows for a long time but when I did and developed sores I used fucidin to heal (or polysporin) and then a water based lubricant every time I used the pillows and the sores didn't come back.

I think you can't use petroleum products but someone might know that brand names of good lubricants for the nose. It is frustrating to deal with.

[Lizistired]

I suggest you replace your pillows. At first I didn't know they were shot til I put the new one on. Tenderness and leaks are my indicators now.

[Guest]

I too developed a sore in my left nostril just from 3 nights worth of using the Resmed Swift FX nasal pillows. The sore lasted about a week. My DME says to try Neosporin-Pain Relief or try using Ponaris which is a nasal lubricant and moisturizer. He swears by the Ponaris. Look it up online. I haven't tried it myself. I have the nasal pillows as a back up and I'm now using a nasal mask. Just my 2cents...

[apneawho]

Use some Lansinoh in your nares. Won't hurt the pillows. Can use night and day. Just a dab. Also, make sure your mask is not too tight. You should be able to get a finger or two under the side straps and the top strap should be a little loose, just resting on top of your head, not snug.

[Mitch40]

Sorry, forgot to login before making the post above

[Jason2483]

It got worse when I got a new mask. I wonder if I got a bum mask. It has leaked toward my left eye a bit from day one and I have had to use it a little tighter than the old one...

[Gaga58]

I've had a lot of nasal sores lately, but due to sinus issues, not the mask. I've found that triple antibiotic ointment will clear up the sore itself pretty quickly, then use the lanisoh at night when masking up...worked for me...hope it helps!

[Perrybucsdad]

Sounds to me like you may have the headgear a little too tight. Maybe loosed it just a bit. I know if I have mine too tight the pillows will force themselves into the nasal cavity too much and cause some soreness. I find that by adjusting the hadgear maybe one notch will solve the issue for me.

John

[amyjomartin]

I have the same problem. The sores are just inside the middle of my nose in both nostrils. I've only been using my CPAP for about 3 weeks, so I'm fairly certain the mask isn't shot yet, but it doesn't seem to be fitting as well, either. Seems to loosen up in the middle of the night and leaks worse as the night goes on. Just started getting the sores about 4-5 days ago, which seems a bit weird. I've been using the XS pillows, but think I might use the small tonight to see if it works better.

I'm glad I saw this post. I had thought about using vaseline to stop the friction in my nostrils, but now I know that petroleum isn't good.

[Jason2483]

ok, if you're new don't get freaked out by my post. I used lansinoh for maybe a week or two while my nares toughened up. After that it has been smooth sailing for the most part. I just keep getting these big, hard, extremely painful lumps in my nose. One of them popped when I tried to look at it. Ow! My guess is the constant pressure is giving me ingrown nose hairs? The neosporin really seems to help it calm down though. Thanks for the tip. I slept with the mask so loose I could put my hand through the straps. It didn't leak too much. I prefer it snug so I can be an active sleeper and wake my wife up with a cool gale force breeze to her ear.

[Pugsy]

I just keep getting these big, hard, extremely painful lumps in my nose. One of them popped when I tried to look at it. Ow! My guess is the constant pressure is giving me ingrown nose hairs?

Quite possible about the ingrown hairs. Also another thought is simply a clogged skin pore. Especially if we use some sort of ointment. Yeah, damned if we do and damned if we don't.

Standard usual cleaning for oily skin and clogged pores with special attention to the area where those inner cones touch first thing in the morning would be in order. Maybe even a warm moist cloth over the nostrils.