nasal cannula

[godzillabride]

My nose gets sores in it, sometimes almost pimple-like and painful from my nasal cannula for oxygen. I don't know if I wear them too long (how long is too long?) or if the prongs are too long (shorten and file down sharp edge?) or what but it's very, very irritating.

[imelda16]

I've been told to use the mask as much as possible indoors and then the cannula when out or eating maybe talking so I must say my nose is not as painful now. I am on 02 minimum 15 hrs but should be 24/7 I am adjusting to this as it has only been the last 6 months and using the mask overnight helps me sleep better. Hope this helps!

[etch45 in reply to imelda16]

I also have the problem with nose and cannula.

I don't use the mask as I find it very much restricting and uncomfortable.

I can change the flow of the O2 to which nostril it goes into.

best wishes to you

etch45 xx

[imelda16 in reply to etch45]

I think we each have to find what suits us best and what you say is what I felt at first but I am feeling so much better using mask it o k for me but we can only hope what we pass on is helping others which this site has done for me. Thanks for reply echt45

[etch45 in reply to imelda16]

Like you say imelda16 we have to find out what suits us, we are all different.

Take care love and hugs

etch 45. xx

[spleenless in reply to imelda16]

I don't know which is right, but I was told by my respirologist (sp) not to use a mask because that way I would breathe in too much CO2.

[imelda16 in reply to spleenless]

Hi spleenless that's really got me wondering now what you say about the mask.but my respitary team said they get a better reading of how much 02 your using if it's with a mask. The cannula takes 02 by nostrils but a certain amount is the oxygen we breath by mouth I am only learning at the moment so don't know . I am a C02 retainer with IPF although the COPD clinic are my respitary adviser s and as the consultant is satisfied with this I can only do as they say. But it has given me something to ask next visit Thanks that s what is great about this site it gives you a good idea of what todo.

[TN57 in reply to imelda16]

Cathyh1957

The only thing with the mask they are suppose to increase the O2 because the oxygen is having to fill a bigger area since it's not just going straight down your nose. I wish someone could make a nasal mask like they use for a cpap t they don't have nasal prongs on it they don't pinch your face like the O2 mask and and you could even talk with it on day or night and no upping the O2.

[stone-UK]

Hi

There are two types of prong long straight, and short curve.

I find the short curved more comfortable, have a chat with your oxygen provider.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I've been using canulas since I've been on oxygen 2 or 3 years ago and never had a problem. No soreness or anything. I don't use any cream or anything.

don't have a mask so I've never used one for personal use.

[Hidden]

I used to have a problem of soreness and dry nostrils with the cannula, so my GP prescribed KY jelly. Worked a treat. I now use a Netti Pot in the morning with 1%

saline. No more problems!

[bulpit]

Morning Godzillabride, My husbands respiratory nurse recommend KY jelly when he had the same problem as you,( not what it usually used for), but it worked,also make sure the cannula is soft not hard, your oxygen supplier will give you a good supply of them. He was on 24/7 of oxygen, and the last thing you want is a sore nose. Do hope something works for you, Regards, Bulpit

[joyce741]

how often do you change your cannula's ?

[spleenless in reply to joyce741]

I was told by my respirologist (sp) to change them every 30 days, but sometimes I find I have to change it after 3 weeks.

[Patrick88 in reply to spleenless]

curious that your doc would tell you to keep for a month. My supplier said two weeks but the cannula begins to harden in about a week so I change then. This is the first time I have had the problem after using oxygen 24/7 for almost 13 years

[meorgoff]

I get contact dermatitis from the plastic used in the hoses. This shows up as sores or clear pimple like things. To avoid this I wrap the hose part that I touch with paper tape, since that what was available to me one time in hospital. Also, my wife knitted a tube to be sewn together over the part of the plastic just below the "V" joint in the cannula tubes to keep it off me in bed. (American English ). I have also gotten it from the IV hoses in hospital.

[joyce741 in reply to meorgoff]

I keep forgetting to change mine will have to start putting it on the calendar. I don't like this getting old business

[Lucyloo1]

My husband is on oxygen 24/7 and suffers with a sore nose and ears due to his canular he uses KY jelly, buy it from any chemist about £3. It's done the trick. Good luck. Xxxx

[Raven1937]

I hope you work it out soon. My cannula problems are slipping out. Don't know what to do. Take care.🌺

[bobwells]

The following may help those trying to use a mask due to the problems associated with a cannula...

When I first started using O2 during sleep, the irritation in my nostrils, the constant awakening/sleep deprivation had me frustrated. I have finally figured out a non-irritating, non-pronged, quiet and ten times less costly cannula design. Using an organic cotton woven "tubing", I simply cut off the center section (two horned nose spiked area) and affix the original small/soft tubing inside an organic cotton tubing using a non-toxic water base caulking adhesive. The cotton tube is cut to about 1.4 inches in length with about a quarter inch of the original soft tube inserted in each end, with a little adhesive previously applied all around the soft plastic tube ends. This leaves about 3/4" of delivery area...and the O2 is emitted around the entire cotton tube area keeping it quiet and mixing it with the room air temperature. Gently insert the plastic tube end into the cotton tube one at a time and lightly roll between your fingers to smooth the cotton tube end onto the original tubing. This design ends the cold/dry nasal problems and still allows the uptake of O2 without measurable losses. My use is at 2.25 LPM (at 4500 ft altitude) and only during sleep. Even when the cotton section drifts off center, my O2 checks show +95. I had originally shown sleep studies down to 63% during 4-6 very deep rem sleep periods, and an overnight avg. of 82. No performance difference between the original "horns" and the cotton tube...except that the cotton allows the warmed O2/air mix to be very comfortable...and I get much more sleep! Also, I'm a side/belly sleeper and the lack of horns means I am rarely awakened by the shifting cannula tugging at my nose, and it tends to center under the nose since it is much more flexible than the plastic piece, and it is also quiet up to 5 LPM! I have found that a 4mm cotton tube internal diameter (ID) works best. I use an ice pick/awl to stretch the cotton ID prior to inserting the plastic tube. Allow each assembly to dry for a couple of days. After a few assembly tries, it'll only take a couple of minutes per cannula. I use one for a week or two, and simply chop off the plastic tube where it meets the cotton to reinstall another. This significantly reduces the waste of throwing away a perfectly good cannual and allows "rebuilding" each one many times. I rebuilt my first "cotton" unit after 6 weeks. For those of you concerned about plastic toxicity of cannulas like I am, keep in mind that the O2 helps remove the out-gasses (that vinyl scent), so I let my concentration/machine run a brand new (and modified) cannula for at least 6 hours before the first use...or until the plastic scent is oxidized/gone. By rebuilding your cannulas, your over-all exposure to plasticizers will also be significantly lowered, and since our lungs are already taxed, that will be one less thing causing problems. It also cut my cannula cost to less than 2 cents a day If it is of any value, my first FEV1 had me at 31%. I am now at 63%...and I use no drugs/puffers/etc. Smoked for 35 of my 58 years and work as a machinest/welder (unprotected 40 years). COPD onset 3 years ago. Smarter now and slowly improving.