Nasal "rawness" from Swift LT pillows: normal? and how long?

Just started using a Swift LT mask, and while the mask is literally amazing, I'm getting some "rawness" and aggravation on the outside of my nostrils. The best analogy I can think of is when it's winter and you're blowing your nose like crazy, and the outside of your nose becomes raw.

I'm guessing this is normal, and my nose is just acclimating to using this mask? If so, how long this typically last? Does the nose build up tolerance to this at some point and the rawness will subside?

The rawness is not uncommon. It typically gets better with time.

In the meantime, you can use Lansinoh lanolin cream to both soothe those sore nostrils and to protect them at night.

Lansinoh is technically a nipple cream sold to nursing mothers to soothe dry, chapped, and sore nipples. It comes in a purple box and is found in the baby aisle in most grocery stores and drug stores. It's usually near the bottle supplies. It can seem a bit expensive ($8-10 for a tube), but a tiny bit rubbed in around each nostril is all you need; so the tube will last a very, very long time. Because it is petroleum-free, Lansinoh is also safe to use both inside your nose as well as on the outside and it won't harm the plastic and silicone parts of your mask if you put it on the sore nostrils right before masking up.

"AYR Saline Nasel Gel" sold at most drug stores and Walmart. Use as directed. It took a few weeks for the nostrils to toughen up.

I still use Lansinoh every nite. Helped tremendously with that raw feeling inside the nostrils (I have a fairly high pressure) and a little bit around each nostril also helped keep a good seal. Highly reccomended. For me it meant the diffence between keeping the pillows and getting rid of them.

BTW, it's Lanisnoh HPA Lanolin, not one of the other Lanisnoh products, including diaper cream.

When I went from a nasal mask to Swift FX, I would wear the FX for half the night and switch on some nights. When my nose was sore, I'd sometimes use my old mask for a night or two. After a while, my nose no longer got sore. Now, it's like part of my body. I could wear the mask all day.

One thing I realized was to fit the mask very loose and let it inflate into my nostrils. Sometimes I'd run a little hot water over the pillow first to soften it up and encourage it to fit my nose. Once it settles in, it's nearly perfect.

Zidane wrote:Just started using a Swift LT mask, and while the mask is literally amazing, I'm getting some "rawness" and aggravation on the outside of my nostrils. The best analogy I can think of is when it's winter and you're blowing your nose like crazy, and the outside of your nose becomes raw.

I'm guessing this is normal, and my nose is just acclimating to using this mask? If so, how long this typically last? Does the nose build up tolerance to this at some point and the rawness will subside?

No, this is not normal.

You are probably causing the pillows to rub on your nose as you move in the bed.

1. Carefully check how your mask headgear is adjusted. I can't tell you exactly how to do it and it is often a case of trial and error, but the headgear should not be adjusted "too tight" or "too loose". The user's instructions that the mask manufacturer provided can be of help.

2. Also analyze how you are managing the hose. When you move in the bed if the hose pulls on the mask it may be rubbing your nose. There are different ways of hose management. Find one that works for you.

Nothing wrong with using Lanisnoh HPA Lanolin in the meantime.

Nasal pillows that are properly fitted and properly sized should only at the most cause minor tenderness that is short lived.
Raw skin is not "normal" and not acceptable.
The most common cause of raw skin is improper fit...either straps too tight or wrong size nasal pillow.
Movement causes friction and friction causes abrasions.

Lansinoh will help reduce friction and promote healing but the cause of the improper fit must also be addressed.
If the nostrils are only slightly tender that isn't unexpected because that area of the body isn't used to wearing anything...but if the skin is raw, red, or more than slightly tender then something is wrong with the fit.

Pugsy wrote:Nasal pillows that are properly fitted and properly sized should only at the most cause minor tenderness that is short lived.
Raw skin is not "normal" and not acceptable.
The most common cause of raw skin is improper fit...either straps too tight or wrong size nasal pillow.
Movement causes friction and friction causes abrasions.

Lansinoh will help reduce friction and promote healing but the cause of the improper fit must also be addressed.
If the nostrils are only slightly tender that isn't unexpected because that area of the body isn't used to wearing anything...but if the skin is raw, red, or more than slightly tender then something is wrong with the fit.

That is one thing I really like about Pugsy. Others will rush in and offer a band-aid but Pugsy goes to the root of the problem!