Itching nose

Aside from loving my first week on CPAP, I have one complaint. My nose itches (externally) and I'm not pleased that several times during the night I reach inside my mask to scratch it. I'm not sure if it's humidity, perspiration, the constant exposure to air, but the itching drives me bonkers. I love my mask, I really do think it's perfect for me, aside from the confounded itching. Anyone have any ideas? tricks? tips?

I don't wear a mask, but I have seen other posts where people have suggested a mask liner. I think they said padacheeks.com can make one for you. Someone else chime in...

EO_123 wrote:I'm not sure if it's humidity, perspiration, the constant exposure to air,

No, No, and Yes. The air exposure dries out your skin, use a facial moisturizer before you go to bed. The humidifier should actually HELP with this, but not always. The humi's purpose is actually to prevent your nose from drying out. If your skin is already drier that normal, you need some extra help.

Alshain wrote:

EO_123 wrote:I'm not sure if it's humidity, perspiration, the constant exposure to air,

No, No, and Yes. The air exposure dries out your skin, use a facial moisturizer before you go to bed. The humidifier should actually HELP with this, but not always. The humi's purpose is actually to prevent your nose from drying out. If your skin is already drier that normal, you need some extra help.

A bead of water slowly running down your nose can definitely provoke an itch, hence it could be the humidity if you have rainout. Moisturizer is not a bad idea, though.

apneawho wrote:I don't wear a mask, but I have seen other posts where people have suggested a mask liner. I think they said padacheeks.com can make one for you. Someone else chime in...

A mask liner won't help because the mask doesn't touch your nose. In fact, my nose sometimes itches because the edge of the liner tickles it. The liner should help itches under the cushion and allergies to the mask.

I find that twitching my nose a few times sometimes makes an itch subside.

I understand that space helmets have some sort of "nose scratcher" gadget in them. I've often considered figuring out how to add something like this to my mask.

I may have to try the moisturizer idea.

Otter wrote:

Alshain wrote:

EO_123 wrote:I'm not sure if it's humidity, perspiration, the constant exposure to air,

No, No, and Yes. The air exposure dries out your skin, use a facial moisturizer before you go to bed. The humidifier should actually HELP with this, but not always. The humi's purpose is actually to prevent your nose from drying out. If your skin is already drier that normal, you need some extra help.

A bead of water slowly running down your nose can definitely provoke an itch, hence it could be the humidity if you have rainout. Moisturizer is not a bad idea, though.

Yeah, your probably right, I guess I've never had that particular experience myself. My problem was definitely dry skin.

This is the one I use. Mostly because it mentions "Moisturize while you sleep". Not sure if that really means its different from all the others though.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... KoBEPMCMAE

I think it also reduced the appearance of bags under your eyes. At least it did for me, either that or the CPAP is actually working, but I don't think so cause I'm still exhausted.

Do not use moisturizer at night, the products in the goop will degrade your mask. I was told by a dme to only moisturize in the morning and that it was a big no no. Anyway, once you get used to the air blowing on your skin the itchies will go away.

Have you tried the nasal pillows? I had the same problem. I'm using the ResMed FX for her nasal pillows and it's alot better for me.

nanwilson wrote:Do not use moisturizer at night, the products in the goop will degrade your mask. I was told by a dme to only moisturize in the morning and that it was a big no no. Anyway, once you get used to the air blowing on your skin the itchies will go away.

I can get a new mask every 3 months if need be and cushion every month. I'd rather replace the mask then spend all night trying to scratch at my nose.

nanwilson wrote:Do not use moisturizer at night, the products in the goop will degrade your mask. I was told by a dme to only moisturize in the morning and that it was a big no no. Anyway, once you get used to the air blowing on your skin the itchies will go away.

I Agree with Nan...Do not use any moisturizer or creams...in fact I was told to thoroughly clean my face before putting on the mask. I do this and have had no problems with leaks with my Quattro.

LSAT wrote:

nanwilson wrote:Do not use moisturizer at night, the products in the goop will degrade your mask. I was told by a dme to only moisturize in the morning and that it was a big no no. Anyway, once you get used to the air blowing on your skin the itchies will go away.

I Agree with Nan...Do not use any moisturizer or creams...in fact I was told to thoroughly clean my face before putting on the mask. I do this and have had no problems with leaks with my Quattro.

This is why I use mask liners. I oil my beard to keep it from from itching and getting overly bushy. The cloth keeps the oil off the silicone cushion. I think it also helps with the seal, and that was my original reason for using liners (thought of them as gaskets), but I don't really know because I've used them from the beginning.

Fitness Seeker wrote:Have you tried the nasal pillows? I had the same problem. I'm using the ResMed FX for her nasal pillows and it's alot better for me.

I haven't tried nasal pillows. I looked long and hard at the Swift FX for her when I met with the DME, but I'm afraid of that "something up my nose" sensation. The thought of having my nasal cavities "blocked" gives me the willies. Granted, the thought of a mask over my face also freaked me out - and I now have a desperate crush on my mask. Is the nasal pillow really that good?

During the night and when I wake up, I have the sensation that my nose is oily - although it doesn't really turn out to be - maybe it's coming from the humidifier. I'll try it without the humidifier tonight and see what happens.