Im new is having a sore nose normal?

[tink401]

Hi i am very new at all of this. I have been using my comfort gel mask for about a week now and have a red mark on the top of my nose between my eyes. The mark stays there all day and it hurts. Is this normal? Thanks

[Autopapdude]

This is extremely typical. A small bandage or moleskin can help, if it doesn't interfere with the fit of the mask and make it leak (depends on your face contour and ability to have a spot covered on your nose). You will get used to the irritation, and learn to live with it like most of us have over a period of time. You might want to check the tightness of the straps of the mask. How tight are they? If they are too tight, sometimes it can make the mask dig into the nose. Also, where on your nose is it sore?

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, tink401! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help! Yep, that sore nose bridge is very typical! Do make sure, though, that your mask is not too tight (a very common beginner's mistake).

You're lucky to have found this forum as you begin CPAP—took me almost year before I found this place and, with the help of folks here, got my CPAP therapy working as it should. It does take time to get everything tweaked and working at its best, so patience is key as one begins CPAP.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[tink401]

Thanks for welcoming me! I don't think my mask is too tight but tonight i will try to loosen it to see if that helps. The sore spot is on the bridge of my nose. How long does it usually take to not feel so tiered any more?

[fsmitty]

Thanks for welcoming me! I don't think my mask is too tight but tonight i will try to loosen it to see if that helps. The sore spot is on the bridge of my nose. How long does it usually take to not feel so tiered any more?

I am in the same boat your are with a sore red area on the bridge of my nose. People at work think like I must have been boxing. You might want to try either moleskin or what I use is 3M waterproof hospital tape ($3.99 per roll) from Walmart. Haven't tried the moleskin on my face directly but the tape does come off without taking any skin with it. It seems a common problem with masks that can cause this problem. I have tried makeing my straps loose but then get leaks. It is a pain to get the adjustment just right. Tonight, I have cuts some small strips of the moleskin which is covering the inside plastic near where it would hit my nose. Hopefully that will give me some relief. For me it is a pain, as I were glasses which are digging into that tender area. The doctor did tell me to use neosporin on any sensitive areas.

[tink401]

Ouch! your glasses pressing into it must really hurt. What a pain! Thanks for the advice. I will try the tape. Stupid question but what is moleskin? I have never heard of it.

[Valerie7]

Hi, I had the same problem, only worse! Within 2 days I had a sore on the top of my nose. One day later I had a huge, painful blister on top of my nose. Some of us are just made in a way that we are prone to sensitivity at the bridge of the nose. What I did was switch to a nasal pillow. This is a device that is sold by our host, so you can see photos of it here on the website. They come in different sizes. The device delivers air directly through each nostril. Find the right size for you and give it a try. The sore bridge of the nose problem was solved by the use of the nasal pillow! Best wishes, Valerie

[tink401]

Hi Valerie

Is a nasal pillow a kind of mask or something that goes over the nose part?

[fsmitty]

Ouch! your glasses pressing into it must really hurt. What a pain! Thanks for the advice. I will try the tape. Stupid question but what is moleskin? I have never heard of it.

Moleskin is the stuff you use on your feet when you get a blister. It comes in a roll and should be in the foot section, near pharmacy, where Dr.Schols products are. I am not too sure what it is like on your face and whether it will pull some skin off when removed. I have read that the tape is better to use. My doctor, when they fitted the mask, told me to get some moleskin. I have put some of it inside the mask to see if that helps.

Well another night of CPAP is not far away. I am taking some Benadryl which is also helping get used to CPAP. Although, last night I fought the hose as it was a pain to move when I changed positions on my side. What a joy CPAP is going to be for the rest of my life.

[Sleepy Boy]

You might try some Ayr gel. I've had real good luck with it on sore spots. Sleepy Boy-(Larry)