Plastic tubing: Has anyone experienced... - Lung Conditions C...

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Plastic tubing

Pinky2017 profile image
9 Replies

Has anyone experienced breaking out on your face where the tubing is? I have sores on the bottom of my nose n around my mouth . was wondering if it's possible to be allergic to the plastic material. And if so is there any other materials offered

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Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017
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9 Replies

This quite often happens with the nasal cannula and it does not necessary;y mean you have an allergy to the tubing. I use K-Y gel (available on a script) and it heals up the sore area quickly. Never use vaseline with oxygen.

Ant

AshDan profile image
AshDan in reply to

Also there are different canulas. Some are much easier on the skin. Ask your provider for softer ones and try them out.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to AshDan

I Did and I found these very narrow Canula tubes that don't hurt n stick to the inside of your nose. But I still get little white heads on my nose n lips . omg I'm too old for teenage acne!

undine profile image
undine

sorry to hear of your problems - have you tried changing them more often - I believe every 10 days is recommended xx

TwinklingStar profile image
TwinklingStar

I sometimes get marks a bit like acne or sometimes just very small white heads. I wondered if it caused by the tube collecting dirt. I keep meaning to try wiping the tube two or three times a day with some sort of baby wipe or similar. I haven't got round to doing it yet but I must make the effort. Really annoying and makes me feel even worse. I know it is caused by the canulas because if I wear my oxygen less than normal and less than I should it soon goes. I think we need to keep the tube clean. Just rinsing it with a safe cheap hand wash should be safe enough to try too.

I hope it works. When I feel stronger I will get the wipes I need and give it a try.

Stay strong everyone.

Keep Smiling and I will Keep Twinkling

Love from

Twinkling Star Xxxx

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to TwinklingStar

It's the inside of tubing that matters .I use a very thing cannula tube so it's less painful n less goes thru it. I take a qtip n cut off the end n clean the inside of tubes. Baby oil on the inside of tube? Change your tubing more often. I do the right things I feel n still get white heads in nose on nose n above lip. It is what it is ..good luck

TwinklingStar profile image
TwinklingStar in reply to Pinky2017

Sorry I probably didn't make my post clear. I was responding to the original post which was discussing whether other people get marks on their face from the cannula being against their skin. Like acne, whiteheads or other marks. So to prevent this I think wiping the outside of the tube would help as long as people make sure they are not sensitive to whatever they choose to wipe the tube with. I think in my case I am going to try perfume free baby wipes to clean the OUTSIDE of the cannula to stop my skin developing marks. Like you said we are too old to be suffering with acne or spots so keeping the outside of the tube would probably be the solution.

Of course, like you said the inside of the tube needs to be clean too but I thought it was dangerous to use oil. I would not use oil to clean the inside of a cannula. I would just rinse it under running water or with a very mild washing up liquid. There was a list of things you shouldn't use when you use oxygen and I thought oil was on that list but maybe I got confused.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to TwinklingStar

I agreed oil is thexlastcthing I would use. I change my tubing and clean my face alot . on lines that said peroixide cleans alot including toothbrushes. I agreeci am too old for acne also . But u made me chuckle! I will try my baby wipes . n around nose only was told to use chapstick. If icam on mask due to sites in nose . than I use Neosporin . I wipe my tubes often with part of a qtip.

Pinky2017 profile image
Pinky2017 in reply to Pinky2017

Sorry my phone adds letters and changes words..it's possessed!

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