HELP - allergic to new heated hose

Hi all,

I got a new heated hose in January, and within a week and a half of putting it on, my throat was swelling shut, nose was burning and running, and my eustachian tubes were hurting and swollen. I went to the doctor who diagnosed it as an allergic reaction to something. The only thing I'd changed recently was the hose, so I switched back to my old one. Within 2 days, all of my problems were gone. I returned the hose and got a new one hoping it was an issue with a hole or something making me breathe dry air. Within a week and a half of putting the new hose on, I was again having a full-blown allergic reaction. 2 days after switching back, I'm feeling fine again.

I've seen mention of cleaning masks with vinegar to help prevent this. Can I clean a heated hose with vinegar? Will it help? Otherwise, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to replace my hose again, and that seems like a big problem. What's funny is that I've had a CPAP for 10 years and never had this problem before.

Thanks for your advice!

If you went 10 years without a heated hose..why are you driving yourself nuts? Forget the heated hose.

Factories are always full of toxic chemicals.
No matter where they are.
Just clean (and dry) the hose really good.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 13, 2019 5:30 pm

Factories are always full of toxic chemicals.
No matter where they are.
Just clean (and dry) the hose really good.

We need glass cpap hoses. no chemicals... not very light and flexible though

LSAT wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 13, 2019 5:26 pm

If you went 10 years without a heated hose..why are you driving yourself nuts? Forget the heated hose.

Oh, I always had a heated hose, and the same brand, too. Something must have changed in their processes.

That is a huge challenge -- it is always possible the manufacturer was changed materials or processes. Natural latex is a common allergen -- no idea if that is used in the hoses or not. Perhaps the manufacturer will share some info. It seems like there are only a few decent options.

1) You could try and locate a retailer who has an older stock of hoses.
2) You could try non-heated hoses.
3) You could try washing the new hoses
4) You could try switching to another brand machine (and hence hoses).

If I thought there was any hope that washing the hose might help -- i might try a good rinse, followed by a round of dawn, followed by a good rinse, followed by water/white vinegar, followed by water. If that didn't work, I would be pretty certain option 3 was a no go.

I'll give washing a try in a few weeks when I'm feeling totally better. I'll report back if it works Thanks!

spamgirl wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:45 am

I'll give washing a try in a few weeks when I'm feeling totally better. I'll report back if it works Thanks!

Reporting back: I took a really big bowl and filled it with dish soap and warm water. I dragged that hose through it again and again and again and again. I haven't had any reaction since, and it's been almost a month. Thanks for your help!!!

Thank you for the update!
Factories often change stuff; and unless the specs on the actual product are changed,
nobody says anything. They don't have to.
Anything else--like chemicals for cleaning the equipment, packing, or the product itself--
happens off the record.
So glad your problem has been SOLVED.

spamgirl wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:19 pm

spamgirl wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 14, 2019 5:45 am

I'll give washing a try in a few weeks when I'm feeling totally better. I'll report back if it works Thanks!

Reporting back: I took a really big bowl and filled it with dish soap and warm water. I dragged that hose through it again and again and again and again. I haven't had any reaction since, and it's been almost a month. Thanks for your help!!!

Hey everyone! Two years later and I set up a new CPAP with a new hose, totally forgetting this experience. Guess what happened? My nose is bleeding, and my throat is swollen. DUMB ME! I'm so glad I posted here with how I cleaned the hose the last time so I know what to do this time. Note to self: ALWAYS CLEAN YOUR NEW EQUIPMENT! LOL!

I might tell the company about all that so they can look into any changes (2 yrs ago or ?) to chemicals used, etc... you might not be alone and they would want to know. Or else tell them to put a note on the hose when new about washing carefully first.