Sore bridge of Nose - need quick fix/ ideas

[abby123]

I just started cpap and it's going pretty well so far... except the pain on the bridge of my nose! Ouch. Each night it is getting worse. My DME has no nasal pads in stock and ordering online will take about a week. I am only able to tolerate the cpap for about 4-5 hours a night due to this.

Is there a home fix that I can use in the meantime?? Like bandaids, cushions, or something I can buy at a pharmacy that will work? I am willing to be creative. Please let me know if there is anything you have heard of or tried.

Also, it seems my hose is all over the place and tend to add pressure on the mask. Is there something that helps with this?

Also, may as well ask: which nasal pads are your favorite?
my DME only carries the Gecko, but none in stock.
Thanks!!!!

[SleepyToo2]

Look for moleskin at your local drug store. Apply it to the mask, and trim carefully. Alternatively, make your own liners from an old cotton t-shirt. Lansinoh or Ayr gel may help, too.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Some people put Lansinoh ointment on the raw area. Others like a small piece of paper tape. Some like moleskin. Quite often CPAPtalk members put a small dab of Lansinoh or antibiotic ointment on the area, then tape over that.

I simply used 3M NexCare multipore tape and had good results (be sure to use tape, ointment or whatever before the area becomes an open sore). Ultimately the area on the bridge of my nose toughened up after I switched to nasal pillows, then after a while back to the Quattro FX FFM. No more sores. Hope that helps.

[Madalot]

I feel your pain as I had the same problem when first starting out. What worked for me was using PLASTIC bandaids over the area. I used them for about two months and it allowed the area to heal and toughen up so the mask wouldn't rub it raw.

[Janknitz]

Read my blogpost, taming the mirage Quattro. Different mask, but the same principle applies. The trick is to make the mask as loose as possible around your nose--that lets the air cushion fully inflate to hug your nose without so much pressure. Tighten the lower straps to compensate.

Always fit your mask lying down with the machine at highest pressure.

[abby123]

Thanks everyone. Lots of good info.

I had no idea to start the machine and then adjust the mask lying down...makes sense. Why they don't tell you these things when you get a cpap?

[Denial Dave]

I used a small round band-aid on my sore spot for 3 night along with some antibacterial ointment... I removed the band-aids in the AM every day.. once the skin of my nose became accustomed to wearing a mask, all was well for me

good luck!

[snoozysue]

In Australia we have "Blister Baindaids". They are slightly padded and worked wonders for me when my nose was sore and red

[Guest]

You've gotten many responses about your sore nose. As for your hose being all over the place, here's what I do. I put a fabric pony tail holder around the hose. Using a safety pin going under that, pin it to your sheet. Obviously, be careful when running the pin under the pony tail hail to not prick your tubing.

I hope this makes sense. Someone here gave me that idea and it works like a charm.