Nasal Irritation......HELP

[Sinister_Girl]

I just started using CPAP for the first time about 3 weeks ago. I am having a difficult time getting used to it. I know that's the protocol for some of us, but my main concern is that I'm getting chapping on each rim of the nasal cavity. I have been putting vaseline on every day. I use the Nasal Aire II mask. It has the cannulas that fit up into the nostrils. I also have a regular nasal mask, but prefer using the Nasal Aire II due to the fact that it is less cumbersome. All replies are GREATLY appreciated

[Linda3032]

You probably need to use the nasal mask and let your nares recover. After they are healed, then you can try again.

I used the Nasalaire for 3 years, but have since found out that there are more comfortable devices available.

I prefer the Aura Headrest, but other good ones are CL2, Breeze, and Swift. These are nasal pillows versus nasal prongs (like the NAII), so they don't fit up inside the nostrils. Pillows ride outside the nares. The majority of the members here use pillows as opposed to prongs.

[Dale92]

I agree with Linda about giving your nares a rest for a couple days. I don't know if this will be of help for you since you have tried using vaseline but I have been putting on Ayr Gel to help with irritation of my nose. It should be available at most stores that sell nasal sprays, Walmart or Walgreens for example.

Dale

[oldgearhead]

Whoops! Did I just hear the V word? Oh no!
But I use Bag Balm, what do you have to say about that?

[chdurie2]

i thought i started bag balm here. but vaseline will do same. don't be surprised if you jump out of your skin with ayr gel and irritated nose. you may not, but i've only found ayr gel okay when my nose is okay. also, ayr gel used too often can make my nose irritated. but if it works for you, so for it. just be forewarned.

caroline

[ozij]

I agree: give your nose a few nights to heal.
When I started, I used KY jelly - for about 4-5 months. It was excellent
O.

[Sergeant Bob]

You might try Carmex (for cold sores). It's great for chapped lips, hands, irritation under the nose from nasal masks, sore scalding posterior jalapeno burn (that's right, it's exactly what you think it is!), healing round the nares when you've had a runny nose for a week.

[Sinister_Girl]

That Aura Headrest with Pillows looks soooo comfortable. I don't have health insurance, so I'll have to save up some money for it. Thank you all for your advice.
Sleep Well.......ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Terry Flower51]

I love my nasal aire II...When I began using it, I used some saline nose spray each time before I'd put it in (and then after I'd take it out in the morning too). Also I'd use a generic ( =super cheap) version of old fashioned ky jelly (not the new warming kind!!!) This worked great. I'd put the generic jelly directly on the prongs...a light layer. NO PROBLEMS.

And after awhile my nose became accustomed to the prongs so I rarely use either saline spray or jelly anymore. If its very dry in the house (winter heating) or if its seasonal allergy time, I'll use them now and then.
After almost 1 year I still have a half of tube left of the jelly.

Nice side effect....no more colds or allergy symptoms (outside of dry eyes from the pollen). BTW do you use a humidifier? Terry

[brasshopper]

For the same reason that you should not use vaseline with condoms, you should not use it with a rubber mask that comes in contact with it - it can dissolve a little rubber into the oil base which might irritate you. Not that the mask will burst but that the vaseline will dissolve the rubber.

You want to use a water soluble gel so that it won't further irritate the whole mess by dissolving the rubber. Also, vaseline or even petroleum jelly based ointments (like triple antibiotic ointment) can make things heal slower by interrupting the scabbing and healing process - I learned this the wrong way with a skinned knee once.

Simple, huh? I used to try healing nasal irritation things with triple antibiotic ointment on a Q-Tip to apply it - or I'd use the plus that has a little numbing stuff in it - but this was with a nasal mask that did not come in contact with it.

When I finally got my humidifier, I learned that things would heal and stay healed if I got them a reasonable amount of humidity so they would not dry and crack in the air stream. So I would consider just a little higher setting on the humidifier.

[chdurie2]

where's amigo when you need him?

brasshopper, this is a sore wound topic on this forum, not to make a pun. i started to write before but i didn't want to turn this into a re-hash of the vaseline controversy. suffice it to say that vaseline dissolves latex, but not silicone. many of us have been very happy with vaseline to heal/prevent cpap nasal irritation.

sorry it didn't do well on your cut, but i'm not sure i would put it on a cut--different than irritation.

caroline

[Linda3032]

For heaven's sake, y'all, don't write the "V" word.

[chdurie2]

linda--

you're so right. i apologize. i'm done.

caroline

[Sinister_Girl]

[quote="Terry Flower51"]I love my nasal aire II...When I began using it, I used some saline nose spray each time before I'd put it in (and then after I'd take it out in the morning too). Also I'd use a generic ( =super cheap) version of old fashioned ky jelly (not the new warming kind!!!) This worked great. I'd put the generic jelly directly on the prongs...a light layer. NO PROBLEMS.

And after awhile my nose became accustomed to the prongs so I rarely use either saline spray or jelly anymore. If its very dry in the house (winter heating) or if its seasonal allergy time, I'll use them now and then.
After almost 1 year I still have a half of tube left of the jelly.

Nice side effect....no more colds or allergy symptoms (outside of dry eyes from the pollen). BTW do you use a humidifier? Terry

[Amigo]

where's amigo when you need him?

...suffice it to say that vaseline dissolves latex, but not silicone. many of us have been very happy with vaseline to heal/prevent cpap nasal irritation.

LOL, right here caroline, and knowing you're one of the saner ones about this "issue" gives me great comfort.

However, these were my final words on the subject:

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