I have been using different masks and started cpap for the first time 90 days ago. the pillow type masks, which i think i am going to use continually are causing spots that feel sore where the pillows touch my skin just below my nostrils. i touch them carefully with wet tissue when i get up and they seem ok by the evening, but i am concerned these will turn into actual sores, eventually. i hope there is something i can use to avoid sores developing. (i'm pretty sure anything oil based or slippery will cause a new problem) Thanks for any help you can give!
Exactly which mask do you have?
The ResMed P10 nasal pillow. This also happens when i use the DreamWear under the nose mask with the gel pillows. i cannot use the full mask and might be able to tolerate the cradle cushion that fits into the DreamWear mask in place of the gel pillows - i have tried all of these but am also trying to focus on which give me the best AHI. i cannot tell because the AHI has been so unpredictable...from 3 to 15. Meanwhile, i'm trying to be proactive, hoping i can do something about the soreness before it turns into a sore. (I know another option is the nasal prong but am hoping i don't have to resort to that) Thanks for any help you can give!
You may get relief by placing a narrow strip of plain, clean, pure cotton jersey (such as you would find in t-shirts and underwear) under your nose where the bottom of your pillows mask is resting and where the sore places are. Cut several pieces for yourself so that you can have a clean one to use each night. The used strips can be washed together in a lingerie bag in your washing machine and the bag placed in the dryer to dry afterwards. For most of us, cotton is an ideal fabric. The skin just loves it.
I had a similar issue with the P10. I had a fit pack with the three different sizes of inserts. For me the medium size caused more of a problem than the large size which I settled on. For you it sounds like the reverse might be true. My sore spots were just inside my nose.
I used a 1% hydrocortisone cream on the tender spots. I did not put it on in the evening with the mask, but in the morning after I took it off. I switched to a Brevida mask a few days ago and the issue has reemerged. I assume the contact points have changed. So I am back to using the hydrocortisone again. Note that I am not a doctor or a pharmacist so I can't comment on the safety of the product. It says it for external use only, and the edge of the nose is close enough to that for me...