Itchy nose question

Scuba_Steve · Post by **Scuba_Steve** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:55 pm

OK, I don't know if this one has been asked before. I have a full face mask and for the most part it is pretty comfortable. But ... I wake up several times a night with an itchy nose and I have to peel off the mask to do so, and then re-attach it again. Does anyone have a solution to the itchy nose problem? I think once I solve this problem I should be able to sleep through the night for the first time.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:05 pm

I believe "itchy nose syndrone" is fairly common. Fortunately, those of us with nasal pillows have an easier time with scratching.

Have you tried raising the humidity? Or putting an ointment up inside the nares? That might help.

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:36 pm

Hi Steve,

I couldn't hack it and went to a Swift nasal pillow. (It was leaks too that made me change)

Peter

Rabid1 · Post by **Rabid1** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:50 pm

Steve,

I believe there's some axiom at play here.

I think there's a direct mathematical relationship between the difficulty of scratching, and the frequency of needing to.

This came to me last night while removing my mask to get at an itch that, I swear, I NEVER had before CPAP.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:53 pm

Hi Steve.

Do you want a "straight" answer to your question?

Here's what I do.

Just before I put my mask on, I rub the area that is covered by the mask. This desensitizes that area.....at least long enough till I can hopefully get to sleep.

If I don't to this, sure as heck I'm gonna get an itch as soon as the air hits my nose.

Best wishes,

Den

tohegal · Post by **tohegal** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:48 pm

OK...speaking of noses....my DH wears the nasal pillows....and slathers them with vaseline before putting them in his nose. I know his C-pap is medically necessary....but is the vaseline necessary? he says that the respiratory therapist told him to do it.

It is ruining our pillowcases...the oils in the vaseline.

To put this in perspective...I'd rather that he is sleeping...and ruining pillowcases than having apnea. BUT....does anyone have any suggestions/alternatives to large amounts of vaseline?????

Am I the only wife who finds this a bit yucky?

Thanks,
amy

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:07 pm

Amy, for nasal pillows, instead of vaseline, I use All Natural Chap Stick in my nostrils. Has little odor, is thick enough to have holding power, isn't messy, doesn't hurt the mask.

tohegal · Post by **tohegal** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:21 pm

wow---great tip!!! That would be a LOT less messier than vaseline. Do you put the chapstick on the outside of the nostrils only--or do you kind of sweep it around the edges of the inside of the nostril? Sorry--I want to give DH accurate instructions.....

I can't WAIT to throw away the vaseline!

I also read in another post about AYR nasal gel. Now THAT is one darn good product. I use it when I have a cold and it is the best stuff ever invented...if you've used it on a red chapped nose, you know exactly what I mean.

It would get kind of expensive to use in the nasal pillows of an apnea machine though...wouldn't it? They are small tubes for 3 or 4 dollars a pop.

Thanks for the suggestions..

amy

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:29 pm

Amy, I think the tech might have exaggerated a bit.

A little lubricant goes a long way to alleviate and avoid sores caused by the nasal pillows. And once the sore heals, it's possible that he doesn't have to use any.

In fact, too much lubricant probably makes the nasal pillows slide around more than normal.

And you can tell him this (even though it's not a proven fact): "There are frequent rumors around the forum that Vaseline isn't good for the material the pillows are made out of. And it's not good to breath the vaseline because of petroleum jelly". That might do the trick and save your pillow cases.

If the insides of his nostrils get sore or too dry, a little chapstick, ayr gel, etc, can be used also.

tohegal · Post by **tohegal** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:39 pm

I just showed him your responses and he said he uses the vaseline to "seal" the pillows...not because his nose is sore.

Is there any evidence that vaseline helps "seal" the pillows??

"hopefully throwing away the vaseline jar and buying new pillowcases"
Amy

p.s. that is a great point about breathing in petroleum....now why didn't I think of that a long time ago!!

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:43 pm

tohegal wrote: p.s. that is a great point about breathing in petroleum....now why didn't I think of that a long time ago!!

Because you still had pillow cases in the linen closet?

And did you tell us what nasal pillows he is using? I bet it's the Swift.

tohegal · Post by **tohegal** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:59 pm

LOL

I don't know what brand pillows he has....he is Aspergerish, and when someone gives him instructions...he takes it literally and its challenging to convince him otherwise..

Any evidence of petroleum jelly working as a "seal" for the pillows? I may not have a prayer if he feels that a seal is more important than our pillowcases!!

Please tell me that there is no evidence of vaseline working as a seal...

amy

p.s he is an anesthesiologist too....and try telling a Dr. what to do!!

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:44 am

I vote for the chapstick! Too much vasaline will make the pillows slide around as your body heat makes it more slippery as you sleep. The chapstick stays put and has plenty of stick-to-it-ive-ness. I just put some on the outside of the nares. Even with the chapstick, too much will make the pillows slide. A thin coat works just fine. Ayr Gel also works but isn't as 'sticky' as the chapstick.

Brenda

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:49 am

I'd stick with water based. Why?

Lipid Pneumonia.

Personally anti-vaseline on my nasal pillows. I go for KY when I use them.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:40 am

There is an easy, elegant solution: the Hybrid mask. I had the same "how to scratch nose" problem with other ff masks. With the Hybrid your nose is just lying there nude ready to scratch.

But I have found Rabid1's axiom does hold for me: with my nose easy to scratch it does not often need scratching.

Mask