Raw and Red nostrils from Bleep mask

[dorilou28]

Hi,

I’ve been using the Dreamports Bleep mask and under my nostrils is raw, red, has bumps and hurts like a mother.
It’s only been this way since using alcohol swab and the dreamports. Alcohol is burning the area and hurts a lot due to the rawness of under the nostrils.

Suggestions, anyone please? I would hate to give up this mask and go to a face mask especially since I now love this mask and am sleeping better. If it continues I’m going to have to do that as my poor nostrils are taking a beating.

Thanks a bunch.

[mets123]

I use which hazel, not alcohol and it doesn’t burn or irritate my skin. Use it will a soft cotton pad and hopefully you will feel this to be a better option. I have used the bleep for over 6 months and it is the best mask I have used.

[Dreaming1]

Skin barriers can be used daily to cover the skin from adhesive contact. There are tons of them out there. Just Google using them with adhesive. Lots of people wear adhesives with diabetes daily and use them. You should also contact Stuart at bleep. He has dreamport users that need skin barrier. Probably has a handful of things he'd recommend. Maybe use some Neosporin for a couple days and take a break from the bleep. Did you try witch hazel over the alcohol?

[dorilou28]

Hi. I’m going to buy some witch hazel and neosporin today. Didn’t know that’s an option to use.

Skin barrier? Will the tape still stick to it? Thanks for responding.

[Pugsy]

Hi. I’m going to buy some witch hazel and neosporin today. Didn’t know that’s an option to use.

Skin barrier? Will the tape still stick to it? Thanks for responding.

Yes...there are some skin barriers that adhesive sticks very well to.
There are many such barriers and used most often by people who use colostomy bags where obviously people don't want the adhesive coming loose.
I tried one initially when I first tried the Bleep just to see what it was like. You use it like an alcohol swab to prep the area....
Anyway those barriers work and I found that removing the Bleep port was extremely challenging it stuck so well.
Alcohol works quite well for me and I don't have any problems with the alcohol so that's what I choose to use but if alcohol caused a problem I would use one of those kinds of skin barriers to prep my skin.

Those types of skin preps/barriers....usually very pricey compared to alcohol or witch hazel. I always go for cheap when I can.

Unfortunately I can't remember the brand I tried. Sorry.

[chunkyfrog]

You might need to get an alternate mask to use while your nose heals.

[booksfan]

I find alcohol swabs too harsh for my skin! I had to use them one night when I was hospitalized unexpectedly. My husband brought my machine, Bleep interface, ports, and silicone eye shield to the hospital. All were at my bedside. Having him find Bleep wipes in the bathroom would have been asking too much . After the bad alcohol experience that night, I made sure he knew where they were in case, God forbid, something like that ever happens again. All that to say, the Bleep wipes are witch hazel-based and worked well for me!

And, yes, you should absolutely contact Stuart! He is amazingly helpful!

[dorilou28]

Thanks everyone. I texted Stuart and he also gave me some great advice too. I have other masks here which I’ll have to use until this heals. I appreciate everyone’s posts.

[lwood30097]

I had the same issue - also with a full face mask.

My problem is that I am allergic to silicone - the material that all masks are made from.

I switched to a memory foam full face mask and was still having some issues where the mask would fold in on itself or collapse a bit. So I ordered soft cotton face mask covers that stretch over the mask where it fits to your face. No adhesive. Just soft material. Allows me to have a comfortable fit - and they are washable.

If you search around - you might be able to find the same thing for the nose units.

Good Luck