Sore Nose Bridge

[BigOffshoreDaddy]

I know that this has been addressed half a million times, but I haven't seen anything like what I have.

Around November, I got a new mask and forgot to wear a band-aid, thus creating a huge sore. It got to the point that I chose to wear the mask over my own comfort, and I created a monster. It took me almost 6 weeks of constant care before it healed.

Two nights ago was the first night that I slept with my machine in 6 weeks. I went through my regular routine (clean face, apply band-aid for protection), put the mask on, and waited for sleep. When I woke up yesterday morning, there was a wonderful looking hematoma right under the band-aid, and it was as if I woke up back in November looking at it for the first time.

I simply cannot go another 6 weeks without therapy. Any tips, tricks, recommendations, equipment changes, and/or suggestions would be most welcome!

[nanwilson]

Change your mask to one that does not go on the top of the nose. Take a look at cpap.com at all the choices for full face masks, you will get a good idea on what others have used and like. I use the Innomed Hybrid, it is considered a full face mask as it has nose pillows and a mouth piece.

[Maxie]

I had the nose bridge sores also and I changed masks and no problems at all now. I tried a hybrid but eventually went back to my original nasal pillows and all is well now. There are several masks that don't cause nose bridge problems so good luck!

[LSAT]

You may have the forehead bridge adjustment too tight. It should be very loose with the adjustment turned out almost to the end. The silicone should be very light on the upper part of the nose. Have you tried one of the several nose pads from...

http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/61915-1-Re ... l-Pad.aspx
http://www.remzzzs.com
http://www.padacheek.com
http://www.cpapseal.com/
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/boomer ... -pack.html

Have you read this?
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

[SleepingDVader]

I've been having fairly good luck lately using the Mirage Liberty hybrid FFM. It uses nasal pillows and has nothing on the bridge of the nose at all. But my primary mask right now is still the Mirage Quattro. I nearly trashed it because of the nose irritation but bought the Boomerang gel pads and they work really well, at least in my case. The gel pad goes over the bridge of the nose and helps with comfort, but also aids in getting rid of leaks in that area too. So now I have no blister on the bridge of my nose and sleep very well with that mask. Good luck and hope this helps.

[BigOffshoreDaddy]

Thanks, everyone, for your input! I've looked at the links, LSAT, and will definitely try what I've seen so far.

[b360155]

My primary mask these days is the Quattro FX as I'm able to get very little leakage and it's probably the most comfortable ffm I've ever worn. No nose bridge problems at all. Based on some reviews in other threads, I have been trying out a Mirage Quattro for the past couple of weeks. I've found that I've been able to get an excellent seal without much problem at all, however no matter how I adjust the tension on the straps and position the forehead support bar, I still feel a lot of pressure on the bridge of my nose. Just ordered a ResMed Gecko this morning so if that does the trick for me with this mask, I'll report back.

[archangle]

Did you try any nasal masks before ending up with a full face mask?

[Vader]

When I regularly used the Mirage Quattro, I had a sore nose bridge far too many times than I'd like to remember.

Putting a few layers of paper tape on the bridge is helpful, and a Padacheek mask liner will also definitely help, but the problem never went away totally until I switched to the Quattro FX.

[napstress]

I hope you can find either a suitable mask or cushioning. It's such a PITA to be forced off therapy for such a thing! I still get nose sores even on the Quattro FX with multiple interventions! The best I can offer you is how to make the sore go away relatively quickly. I pierce a vitamin E and rub a bit on the spot, leave it on for a few hours, and wipe off before masking up. I jump on this as soon as the sore opens, so it takes only a couple of days to heal. I do this in the mornings. I don't know about evenings: the vit E might make the sore moist, and therefore, vulnerable when the mask rubs on it (maybe even with band-aid).

Does anyone know why it is advised that we not wash the Boomerang with shampoo but an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is OK? I'm assuming soap would also not be OK, right?

Good luck, BOSD.

[ozze_dollar]

I hope you can find either a suitable mask or cushioning. It's such a PITA to be forced off therapy for such a thing! I still get nose sores even on the Quattro FX with multiple interventions! The best I can offer you is how to make the sore go away relatively quickly. I pierce a vitamin E and rub a bit on the spot, leave it on for a few hours, and wipe off before masking up. I jump on this as soon as the sore opens, so it takes only a couple of days to heal. I do this in the mornings. I don't know about evenings: the vit E might make the sore moist, and therefore, vulnerable when the mask rubs on it (maybe even with band-aid).

Does anyone know why it is advised that we not wash the Boomerang with shampoo but an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is OK? I'm assuming soap would also not be OK, right?

Good luck, BOSD.

I use a pure soap to wash my nose pads.

[máirtín]

I followed all of the advice here without a good result until I visited the dermatologist.
You are using an ASV which limits the mask choices you have and also the ways you can adjust the straps.
Most of the advice here is from members who don't have these restrictions to work within - it's not bad advice, it simply doesn't apply.
Go see a dermatologist.

[Gekko]

Unfortunately, I think changing masks is the only option. I had a Quattro and it was fine for about a year, then suddenly I started to get nose sores! It must have been because the straps were getting old and I could no longer find that sweet spot between no leaks and comfort. I bought a Quattro FX and everything is now OK!

[b360155]

I got my ResMed Gecko in the mail and have tried it out the last 2 nights with my Mirage Quattro since this mask was creating excessive pressure on the bridge of my nose. It seems to protect the nose bridge fine but I can't seem to get the mask to seal if I use it. I've taken it off after just a minute or two each night as I get air leaks from where the face cushion transitions from being on the gecko to being on my skin. Tried adjusting straps but nothing seems to stop the leaking. Anybody use this and had success with it? Any secrets to stop it from causing leaks? I'll probably just go back to the Quattro FX which seems to work the best for both seal and comfort for me. Thanks...

[Mary Z]

I have sensitive skin and went through the same thing with the Quattro. I found that once the skin had broken down and required that I not wear the mask for three weeks while it healed that I could not go back to a mask that rested on that area of my nose.
I wear the FitLife Total Face Mask which completely bypasses the nose and works for me. Someone said you are on ASV- could not tell from the photos of your equipment in which case you would have to check with your Doc or DME about this mask. I was allowed to use it during a lab trial of ASV. Good Luck.