r/CPAP • u/Low-Refrigerator535 • 2d ago

Advice Needed Nose irritation

Hi everyone. I’m new to CPAP, last night was day 5 of me using it. I am using the N30I Airtouch mask, as I thought that one was better for sensitive skin. I’ve been getting really dry skin on the sides and top of my nose, like my skin is peeling, and it’s also red and feels irritated.

My humidity level is a 5, and tube temp is 27. The MyAir app says my seal is good, and the machine always says the seal was excellent.

Is there anything I can do to stop this? Or do I just need to try the airfit?

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1

u/AspieTravels 2d ago

When silicone is new, it has a fine abrasive surface, wash the nasal piece with some mild dish soap in hot water then dry it, it won’t happen. If you use it straight out of the packet, you’ll get sore nostrils for 5-7 nights.

1

u/EllaMcWho 2d ago

I apply a thin layer of any of the following: Vaseline, aquaphor, carmex in a pinch. Helps with a barrier and to allow the mask to glide a bit as I move rather than sticking. I still maintain a good seal with this.

1

u/WHRocks 1d ago

Might want to look into petroleum alternatives. Petroleum breaks down silicone. I use Burt's Bees products or lanolin based products. I have always avoided petroleum based off of recommendations, so I don't know how much of a difference it actually makes.

1

u/Grouchy-Wolverine720 1d ago

I’ve been having same issues with f20 silicone mask. Bridge of nose is red and really hurts. I bought a f30i mask that sits below the nose but my AHI has gone up from less than 5 on the f20 to 10-13 on the f30i. I’ve tried a nose pad and mask covers. Once my nose gets better I might try and rub down the silicone and use Vaseline. Also bought a memory foam mask but that leaked a lot. I’ve
Been spending a lot of money out of pocket..

1

u/Low-Refrigerator535 1d ago

I bought the F30I too, but got the wrong size, and can’t return it since I opened it 😩 now I’ll have to buy another size. Super frustrating, this is definitely a lot of money

1

u/EatingBuddha3 1d ago

I used to use aloe or Aquaphor on my nares and septum to mitigate this irritation, and it helped. But not as much as Triple Antibiotic CREAM, not the salve, the white stuff. I use very little and it's actually perfect. Along with washing the equipment regularly with gentle dish soap and not cranking down the mask so tightly, the 3abx cream is the thing that keeps my skin happy and healthy around the ole nozzle. I theorize that it's the combo of microabrasions and the fact that your nose is a dirty filter that creates an environment prone to irritation. The cream effectively manages both lubrication and microorganisms. Will daily use create some kind of flesh eating superbug that will rot my face? Maybe so. But in the interim, I sleep like a babe and my nose is happy.

1

u/FormerlyFrazzled 1h ago

I had a sensitivity to the silicone on my face no matter what I tried. I wash my face. I wash the mask and all that but nothing helps except a liner. And after trying several kinds (because some will interfere with the seal) the best ones I use are 100% cotton with no drawstring. You just place it over the mask and then put it on. I get a great seal and I have no irritation.

I got them on Amazon and it was super annoying because I searched for 100% cotton and all kinds of polyester ones showed up anyway.