Lipoid pneumonia

[FormerT]

Earlier this year I had serious nose bleeds resulting in hospital admissions and cautery. Subsequently seen by ENT consultant who advised daily insertion of Vaseline into nostrils to prevent them drying out and possible further bleeds. Since then I found on the internet (various reputable sites) clear warnings NOT to put Vaseline into the nostrils because it can cause lipoid pneumonia. As I have COPD and emphysema I took this seriously and spoke by phone with an ENT doctor colleague of my consultant who claimed he had never heard of it. So, I would appreciate comments from anyone here having similar experience. Many thanks, FormerT.

[Suze4212]

the concern I have heard is that Vaseline is petroleum based and therefore maybe not the best to be used in conjunction with oxygen. Look for a water based lubricant if you are using it with oxygen.

[FormerT in reply to Suze4212]

Thank you Suze4212. Fortunately, I am not using oxygen but will look for an alternative to Vaseline as you suggest.

[Izb1]

After my sinus op the surgeon gave me a small tube of Optilube. I ordered a large tube from Amazon and have used this twice a day since. I make sure that I rinse my nose twice a day with Sterimar and gel up after. Hope this helps x

[FormerT in reply to Izb1]

Thanks Izb1, I will look into that.

[Izb1 in reply to FormerT]

Carelessly the surgeon put a hole in my septum which leaves my nose very dry so need this everyday. One tube it seems lasts forever x

[Beth1949]

Winter, and using the furnace, brings on dry air, which can dry out the sinuses. I started having small nose bleeds.

I got out my room air humidifier and put it in our bedroom. We also have a bigger one that we place in our living room.

Also, there are products out there that are saline solutions that you can spay up your nose.

Beth

[FormerT in reply to Beth1949]

Thank you Beth for your advice. It sounds as if a humidifier would be a good idea. (I'm sorry if this appears as a duplicate reply. I know I've posted a reply to you once already but there's no sign of it anywhere on this page.)

[Germantara]

I realy feel for you with the nose bleeds I myself suffer chronic sinus for 30 years I saw ent consultant he said nose seems fine gave me avamys nose spray I did use it then I did stop I've never had a nose bleed since small kid I'm now 62 4 weeks ago I sat down felt my nose running thought unusual when I wiped it the blood running out like a tap it was running down back off throat went a e but it did stop didn't have any treatment was very scared my blood preasure sky rocketed I'm just wondering if my nose could be dry and that's what caused it don't realy know now I'm frightened to blow me nose I can understand how it been for you

[FormerT in reply to Germantara]

Yes, it seems there are alternatives to the Vaseline treatment which I will investigate, thank you . I sympathise with your experience which was similar to mine. I am on blood thinners so could not stop the bleeding. I had two trips to A&E and was then hospitalised for cauterisation which so far seems to have worked (or maybe it's the Vaseline!). I was told nose bleeds may be avoided by keeping room air and nostrils from becoming dry, also don't blow nose too hard and sneeze with mouth open. I hope you have no further trouble.

[Ratatouille]

I am on oxygen and use Aqueous cream which is water based. I put a little on a safety ear bud and use it on my nose which helps with the dryness. It is also great to use instead of soap and as a moisturiser, I find using a wet wipe to put it on with takes the effort out of it.

[FormerT in reply to Ratatouille]

Thank you Ratatouille but Ahh - Aqueous Cream - my old friend! I used it for many years as a soap substitute because of skin disease until its use was discouraged by my dermatologist because it was found to contain a chemical irritant. On that advice I stopped using it and would be reluctant to start again now even using the small amounts you suggest. However, if it works for you don't let this put you off and thanks for your suggestion (See gov.uk/drug-safety-update/a...

[Ratatouille in reply to FormerT]

Thanks for the information regarding an irritant, I wasn’t aware of that. I may try and find something else to try, do you have any suggestions, taking into account the oxygen usage?

[Ratatouille in reply to FormerT]

forgot to mention I was first given this for psoriasis

[FormerT in reply to Ratatouille]

Well, when my dermatologist stopped my use of aqueous cream in 2017 she prescribed Dermol lotion instead but I am not qualified to advise you and I suggest you seek advice from your doctor(s) regarding use of aqueous cream and any necessary alternative.

[MoosterMoo]

I was advised to use KYJelly to stop my nose drying out due to oxygen usage. It seems to do the trick very well.

[FormerT in reply to MoosterMoo]

Thank you MoosterMoo I had not heard of KY jelly and I will look into it.

[purdeyspringer]

Wow so far I have read about conditions on here that I also have, I have also been having nose bleeds which I never normally had in the past. I thought it was to do with blood pressure, now you have made me think about it. I have severe Emphysema my inhalers are trimbow and solamol..I have never heard of using vaseline before. Only for hayfever.

[FormerT in reply to purdeyspringer]

The ENT consultant I saw told me "We all have nose bleeds but yours were severe due to high blood pressure and the use of a blood thinner." He was aware of my chest illnesses and my use of inhalers but did not suggest that they were contributory. It is interesting to me that amongst the various remedies for dry nostrils mentioned by other forum members (above) Vaseline has not been mentioned which does suggest that its recommendation for that purpose may be unusual.