Nasal pillows issue

I have been using CPAP for just over 4 years. All of that time I have been using various full face mask. Yesterday I picked-up an AirFit P10 nasal pillow system from Apria. I used it for the first time last night. What a difference. I should have tried it a long time ago. Anyway I had one issue, my nostrils got sore from the air pillows. I tried adjusting it so that I would have a good seal but not too much pressure on my nose. But it still hurt. I'm hoping that it is something that my nose will get use to because I don't want to go back to full face. I do have the option to try a nasal mask also. So what do you do about a sore nose. Thanks.

My nostrils got sore for the first 3ish nights too. Good after that. Pretty quick adjustment.

I’ve been using the nasal pillows and my nostrils hurt for a good week. They’re getting better. Use the cream Lapinsah ? that Pugsy recommended, I think. Helps a lot!! I sleep so much better now.


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JerseyBiker wrote: ↑

Thu May 24, 2018 10:42 am

I have been using CPAP for just over 4 years. All of that time I have been using various full face mask. Yesterday I picked-up an AirFit P10 nasal pillow system from Apria. I used it for the first time last night. What a difference. I should have tried it a long time ago. Anyway I had one issue, my nostrils got sore from the air pillows. I tried adjusting it so that I would have a good seal but not too much pressure on my nose. But it still hurt. I'm hoping that it is something that my nose will get use to because I don't want to go back to full face. I do have the option to try a nasal mask also. So what do you do about a sore nose. Thanks.

Also make sure the pillows arent going right inside your nose, if the go in too far it can cause pain. Often a size larger pillows can be more comfortable.

Seems to be pretty common .. I was sore for the first 3 or 4 nights using them too, after that it was smooth and the P10 is my favorite of all masks out there ...

I have always been a nasal pillow user and I still had the same issue with nostril tenderness with the P10.
My nose felt like it had run into someone's fist. Took me about 5 days or so before the tenderness went away.
I think it has to do with the tension of the straps and once the headgear had some use behind it there was just a little less tension because the straps stretched out ever so slightly.

You have a double whammy...never used pillows before and start off with a mask that sometimes is just a bit too snug which causes tenderness in an area that is pretty much virgin territory and never had anything push on it.
It's a common problem for any nasal pillow masker user who has never ever used a pillow mask but even more so because of the not so easy way of adjusting tension.

The headgear will stretch a bit and your nose will get used to things and between the two you should be in good shape by the end of the week.
If not...consider changing pillow size and if that still doesn't work then look at the Swift FX nasal pillow. Very similar pillow but the headgear is more adjustable...down side to it though...it's not silent with the venting like the P10..

Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream....great to use to help speed up the tenderness issues. Helps reduce the time needed.
Nursing mom's use it for nipple issues. Won't hurt you or the mask. Use it liberally during the day and sparingly at bedtime.

I'm 14 days in and am having the same issue with my P10. One of the things I've found that helps is to move the two parts of the strap pretty far apart and that helps but a little less tension on the headgear and less pressure on the nostrils. I have a rather large head, so that exacerbates the problem, too.

Thank you all so very much for the helpful replies. I really like the nasal pillow compared to the full face. It's nice to know at some point I can expect the soreness to stop.

JerseyBiker wrote: ↑

Thu May 24, 2018 8:38 pm

Thank you all so very much for the helpful replies. I really like the nasal pillow compared to the full face. It's nice to know at some point I can expect the soreness to stop.

For sure .. stick with it .. you'll end up loving the Pillows...

I thank all of you very much for the replies and advice. They were very helpful. Just as some of you said, the soreness has lessened to a tolerable level and I'm sure will eventually stop with more time.

You may want to try the Brevida pillow mask. It's a bit different, and very soft. It won't make your nose sore at all, and can be worn quite loose.

Fit pack is on sale this weekend.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fp-bre ... -pack.html

Mark55 wrote: ↑

Mon May 28, 2018 8:55 am

You may want to try the Brevida pillow mask. It's a bit different, and very soft. It won't make your nose sore at all, and can be worn quite loose.

Fit pack is on sale this weekend.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fp-bre ... -pack.html

That looks more like a Nasal Mask, not a pillow one.

prodigyplace wrote: ↑

Mon May 28, 2018 9:17 am

Mark55 wrote: ↑

Mon May 28, 2018 8:55 am

You may want to try the Brevida pillow mask. It's a bit different, and very soft. It won't make your nose sore at all, and can be worn quite loose.

Fit pack is on sale this weekend.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fp-bre ... -pack.html

That looks more like a Nasal Mask, not a pillow one.

While it looks like a nasal mask from a quick glance at it on the nose...it's a nasal pillow mask with big floppy sides that hug the nostril and it's super soft silicone and feels almost like silk against the skin.

OK, I stand corrected by the expert.

Thanks for clarifying, Pugsy

Lansinoh. In the baby section.