Painful ear swelling since switch to nasal pillow

Hello,

Three nights ago I switched from a Phillips Respironics face mask with nasal pillow to a Resmed N30i nasal pillow to test out the differences between the two. I am loving the N30i however, since switching my inner and outer ears are swollen, red and itchy. Nothing else has changed in my life aside from the switch in CPAP mask. I have done some searching and have found a bit of information that says for some nasal pillows can cause this reaction.

I am wondering if others have dealt with this and if so - did it go away once your body adjusted to the nose pillow or were you doomed to full face masks for life? I am sleeping so much better with the nose pillow but cannot deal with the swelling and itching happening in my ears right now

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Sounds more like a contact dermatitis type of thing from the headgear touching the ears than it has to do with the nasal pillows themselves.
Did you wash the headgear before wearing it? If not, you might try washing it and see if whatever you are sensitive to goes away with the washing.
Might also try making some strap covers so the headgear doesn't come in contact with the ears.

Pillows seem to pressurize my nostrils and sinuses more than a full face mask. Your ears are part of the same system. I sometimes notice a ear fullness feeling with them so I wouldn't be surprised if it's causing you irritation. The pressure has to go somewhere and will follow the path of least resistance. Are you mouth taping or otherwise using something to keep it closed?

I wasn’t taping or using a chin strap to keep my mouth closed. I have ordered a chin strap. At this point I’m still waiting for my ears to heal before trying it again. My ears are still itchy and flaking and the swelling isn’t totally gone yet.

Sounds like dermatitis.
Best to thoroughly clean/cover anything that touches the rash.
Also clean and medicate the areas affected.
Cold compresses might provide some relief.
Skipping cpap is the very LAST thing one should consider.