Question for Nasal Aire users

[Catnap]

I've been trying to get accustomed to the Nasal Aire II and have noted that most of the comments and reviews about it say the user had to get past some initial nasal soreness. I'm wondering how extensive this "soreness" is. The first time I tried to use the NAII, my nose got so irritated that I ended up with an infection because of the breaks in the mucosa and had to use intranasal antibiotics for a week. Then I got a cold, so I only went back to trying the NAII again the night before last. Yesterday morning my nostrils were not only sore, but actually were raw and abraded looking, especially right at the base of the nares. I went back to the FFM last night to avoid further irritation. Anyway, I'm wondering whether other users have had this problem and whether you finally got past it by being persistent. I really like the freedom of the NAII and can handle some soreness if I know it's transient, but obviously I don't want to set myself up for another infection. Comments? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[Hawthorne]

I don't use the Nasal Aire 11 but I do use the Snapp, which is also a nasal prongs mask. I have used Nasal Aire 11 in the past.

I have not had trouble with my nose as you have. It is a very different kind of interface but can be very comfortable and very effective for some people.

I use Ayr nasal gel (just a little) at the opening of the nostrils for both pillow and prong type masks. It helps in getting used to them and preventing a lot of the kind of problems you are having. Some people use Lanisoh Lanolin (for nursing mothers) instead of something like Ayr gel. Don't use Vaseline or any petroleum base product. It will destroy your mask pretty qucikly.

With the severity of your problem, I would wonder if you are using the right sized prongs for you. Maybe 1 size smaller would work.

If you can't stop the problem with these suggestions, I would say you should try another type of masks and, I would suggest nasal pillows instead.

Good luck!

[6PtStar]

I got a little soreness and I could see a bit of redness at first. Ayr Gel and Neosporin helped quity a bit. If it got sore enough to cause problems sleeping I would go down one size. Yes, it leaked a little but not enough to cause any real problems. Did not take long and I no longer get sore. I never had anything like what you are describing. Don't know what to tell you about your problems, they sound bad. I know most people that use any of the masks with prongs or pillows generall experence some soreness right at first.

Jerry

[Catnap]

Thanks for the advice! As soon as I get the sore spot healed up (and it does look better today), I'm going to try the next smaller size cannula. I have some Ayr gel to try with it, as well. I really REALLY want this to work! There's just no comparison between the NA II and the other masks I've tried -- the NA II is so unobtrusive.

[Babette]

Hey there!

Okay, isn't it weird that I'm having PRETTY MUCH THE SAME TROUBLE right now??

After our offlist convo, I upped my humidity to 3. I do think an extended dry spell here might be a contributing factor.

But, like I told you, this started for me in the left nostril only (which tends to be my problem nostril), and only after I switched to a new cannula. I've never had soreness like this before. A little bit, yeah, but this seems to be continuing.

After you wrote me, I got out the Sinus Rinse and have made myself do it morning and night. I saw a little tiny spec of red go running out the left nostril this AM. I also put the Ayr Gel and Neosporin right on the sink so I'd remember to use both.

Last night I tried backing down a size to the MP from my regular large. BIG MISTAKE. Leaked like a sieve, but for some IDIOT REASON I persisted with it until 3 am. When I finally lunged out of bed and grabbed the OLD large cannula, poked it in, and slept fine until 6 am.

I switch to new cannulas whenever I feel a cannula has softened up to the point where it's leaking too much, and washing and disinfecting doesn't seem to help it any. I had tossed this one into a basket beside the bed, and hadn't thrown the contents away since then. I fished it out and washed it good, and it seemed to work fine last night. I guess I'll just have to persist with it a little while and then try again with the "new" cannula.

I have an appointment on the 22nd with the sleep doc/pulmonologist, so I'll have him look in my nose and see if anything there needs treatment. I think I'm good.

The worst has been a tiny friction sore at the top outside of the left nostril. I think it's healing. It's certainly not any worse since last night.

I'm dog tired today. A leaky mask may be worse than no mask at all.... I'd stay home sick but it's 90 degrees at my house and we've got AC at work.

Good luck!!!!
B.

[Catnap]

Hey there!

Okay, isn't it weird that I'm having PRETTY MUCH THE SAME TROUBLE right now??

After our offlist convo, I upped my humidity to 3. I do think an extended dry spell here might be a contributing factor.

But, like I told you, this started for me in the left nostril only (which tends to be my problem nostril), and only after I switched to a new cannula. I've never had soreness like this before. A little bit, yeah, but this seems to be continuing.

Not only is it weird that we're having the same trouble, but get this -- I'm only having it in one nostril, too! In my case, it's the right one. I had to treat both nostrils when I was on the antibiotic, but the left was just to be on the safe side. Hmmm.....

[Catnap]

PS: I've been wondering if maybe that side is a little "drippier," so maybe there's constant irritation getting trapped between the mucosa and the cannula. I'm going to notch up the humidification next time I try the NA II and see if that seems to make a difference, too. The way my nose looks right now, I think I'll be good to go again by tomorrow night.

[neverbetter]

Trying going down a sizs while you have a bad cold.
My face breaks out from my mask if I have a bad cold and theres not alot I can do about that, but with the nasalaire you can use a little AYR gel or any water based gel or go down a size for a few days.

[Babette]

HA! I tried going down a size last night and you wouldn't believe how HOMICIDAL I am today after a night of CONSTANT LEAKS!!!

It was insane. There was very little I could do to keep that size from leaking on me, short of pinching my nostrils together.

What's even CRAZIER, is that I let it go on until 3 am. Why the heck didn't I just swap immediately? Sigh....

I am normally a Large (right now), and went do an MP. Yes dear, I VERIFIED that it was an MP and not an MD.

Lately I've even contemplated going up a size to the XL or even trying the NAI, which has a larger bulb at the end. Well, lately as in, before the latest round of left nostril whoop-de-doo.

Catnapper, it's TOO FUNNY that it's your right nostril and my left nostril!!!

Oh here's a stupid thought - how do you know there's a break in your mucosa? Do you find this out when you go to the doc and say "My nose hurts?" If so, I have to wait until June 22.

I guess the upside is I don't appear to have a cold or infection. The cough has been here since March, I think it's in Permanent Residence. Doesn't affect the nose...

I am still slogging down nonstop meds - Claritin and Singulair at night, Flonase and Advair and Proventil twice a day, Benadryl to sleep. Possibly this is a sign I'm over medicated? Either that, or the second head I'm growing.........

LOL,
B.

[Sleepdeprived]

HA! I tried going down a size last night and you wouldn't believe how HOMICIDAL I am today after a night of CONSTANT LEAKS!!!


I am normally a Large (right now), and went do an MP. Yes dear, I VERIFIED that it was an MP and not an MD.

Lately I've even contemplated going up a size to the XL or even trying the NAI, which has a larger bulb at the end. Well, lately as in, before the latest round of left nostril whoop-de-doo.

LOL,
B.

Hi Babs I have an unused XL I can trade for a MP

Also have some mediums and a XS if anyone interrested in a trade

PS I sent you an email

Sleepdeprived

[Catnap]

Oh here's a stupid thought - how do you know there's a break in your mucosa? Do you find this out when you go to the doc and say "My nose hurts?" If so, I have to wait until June 22.

Yep, that's pretty much exactly how it happened. I had a doctor appointment for something completely unrelated. She was listening to my heart and lungs, looking in ears, looking in nose, and I kind of off-handedly said, "Hey, as long as you're looking in there, I have this sore spot that doesn't seem to be healing..." etc. and she saw it right away. She explained that most people have staph bacteria in their noses all the time, but sometimes if there's a cut or scratch in the mucosa, you get an overgrowth and a staph infection sets in. At that point, you need a bigger gun than Neosporin. She also said that's how kids get impetigo, which is another form of staph infection. They have a scratch or open spot in the mucosa around the lips, then transfer staph from their nose to the mouth sore (I won't go into detail here, but you can imagine how THAT happens )