Owie, blister on nostril

[Starpilot]

So first of all, I just have to say -- last night was my fourth in the machine and it was amazing. I had the most luxurious sleep I can remember. I mean, I could really TELL the difference. And I feel pretty darn good this morning. Still a little tired, but its kind of like I've just had a yummy mocha but without the edginess.

BUT I have this blister on the side of my nostril. I know I over tightened the headgear last night, but I had the pillows just in the right place so I left it tight (also I didn't want to mess with it at 4am). Now there's a kind of big blister on the outside rim of my left nostril. My inclination is to lance the sucker, but then I thought that might be pretty painful tonight. So I turn to the amazing CPAP forum for guidance. What is the least painful solution?

Thanks!

[Starpilot]

Ps. It really hurts.

[Pugsy]

Blister that is here and looking ugly...no easy way to fix it.

Get some Lansinoh lanolin ointment (baby aisle at Walmart) and apply it liberally during the day. Sparingly at bedtime. Won't hurt the silicone and it won't hurt you either.

It would obviously have been better to prevent the blister from ever forming in the first place.
Blisters form when things move...so despite your having the mask straps probably too tight...maybe you have the wrong size nasal pillow and it is sliding around.

If it does bust (either on its own or with some help) put a dab of antibiotic ointment on it to ward off infection. Rely on the Lansinoh heavily though.
It does a lot to promote healing...that's why breastfeeding moms use it on their nipples.

The face is very vascular and will heal rather quickly. Warm compresses to promote blood flow will help speed up the process.
You likely don't have an alternative mask available so that the skin can heal without further abrading...but if you do..use it.
You don't want to make it worse for sure.

[Starpilot]

Thanks. The lanolin helped a lot. I was messing with the straps a bunch at the beginning if the night so maybe I had it too loose at one point too. Going to check out that fitting video you linked me to the other day now.

[Starscream]

I am getting the lanolin tonight. I have a similar issue in that I had a crack or something and I picked it so now I have a scab, hopefully it goes away. How much is a little lanolin, and can I put it on the nasal pillows or do I have to put it in my nose.

[Starpilot]

You don't need a lot of lanolin, a little goes a really long way. A small tube of lanisoh brand is maybe $6 - 7 ? I bought a liquid version at a health food store which I have been using and the bottle was $15 but I think the volume is greater than in the tube.

I have been putting it on my nose. Right on the blister and then a very little around the rim of each nostril before bed, as recommended by Pugsy and others here.

Good luck!

[rjezuit]

I used it every night and it lasted me ~ 1 1/2 years before I ran out. Use it religiously. Better to put on too much than not enough at first. You will learn what amount works best for you. Makes all the world of difference in both comfort and leaks.

[Starscream]

Wow you guys aren't kidding. Between the lanolin and the taping it to my face, I have not removed the mask for 2 nights straight.