Nasal Cannula and Face Mask Comfort Tips and Hints

Nasal Cannula and Face Mask Comfort Tips and Hints

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Our oxygen concentrators come with their nasal cannula and rubber tubing, but these are only suitable for patients who are in a stable condition. In the case of a COPD exacerbation or an acute flare-up of any kind, you will need to get a face mask, or a special face mask called a non-rebreather mask if a much higher dose of oxygen needs to be delivered.

Using any one of these types can become uncomfortable, but there are some things you can do to make them a little less uncomfortable.

Making the Tubing and Cannula More Comfortable

First, try on the cannula, and slide the adjuster up so that it fits snugly against your chin and jaw. Wear it for a few uses of your concentrator to see if it bothers you. If it doesn’t, then you won’t need to worry about it. Just because it feels fine for the first few uses, doesn’t mean it will never bother you in the future. Other factors, such as the time of year and how dry your skin is at the time will make a difference in how your cannula feels. Here are some tips for fixing the problems that may arise.

If the rubber is chaffing up against your face, add padding to the tubing by wrapping it with white, fabric first aide tape. Double wrap it if you need to. Fabric first aide tape is easy to remove when it starts to get dirty, but this will make the contact points softer and smoother against your skin.

Educate yourself with our Free Oxygen Therapy Guide

If the nasal prongs are rubbing up against the insides of your nostrils and making them sore, there probably isn’t enough moisture in your nose to keep it from rubbing them raw. Apply a thin amount of a water-based lubricant to the ends of the prongs. You can also use a saline nasal spray daily to keep your nasal passages moist enough for comfort. This is one of the problems that are more likely to happen during the winter when the air is arid.

Making Your Face Mask More Comfortable

You may need to try on several different oxygen face masks until you find the right one that fits your face. This may be hard to do since only some brands make masks in sizes other than small, medium and large. You might need to look for masks in a brand that creates extra small or extra large, or medium-large. Don’t worry about being bothersome to your doctor or medical supply company – your comfort in using your equipment should be a top priority.

To avoid too much moisture and condensation in your mask, which can irritate your skin, wipe down the inside of the mask daily with a clean, lint-free cloth, and wash it in hot water and gentle detergent once a week to keep bacteria from growing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to see how you should be cleaning your equipment in case there are any special instructions.

Page last updated: October 29, 2018

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

40 thoughts on “Nasal Cannula and Face Mask Comfort Tips and Hints

  1. We are having a problem with my step dad keeping the cannula in his nose when he sleeps. Are there any tips or tricks to keep it on? We have tried to us a longer elastic to hold it on behind his head which has helped some but it still comes off in his sleep some. Thanks

    • I would recommend a soft hose cannula this is more pliable for the face and should not have any issues of this falling off and you can adjust the plastic bit to make the tubing more secure in the throat area which tightens this up around the ears keeping the nasal prongs in your nose.

    • I need help. Mom has an open pressure sore behind her ear where oxygen cord goes and I don’t know how to put it behind her head

      • I can suggest trying two things:
        1. If she is on continuous-flow oxygen, then try an oxygen mask instead of a nasal cannula to administer oxygen.
        2. Instead of keeping the nasal cannula in the front of the neck, keep it at the back of the neck. This allows for a looser loop around the ear and hence lowering the pressure.

    • Hi, Kris. Did you solve this problem? My dad’s oxygen cannula comes off at night, too. It seems to be when he turns on to his side, the nasal prongs twist up onto his right cheek. We have tried:
      twist tie to keep the slider in place, masking tape, duct tape, hot glue gun, etc. to keep the slider in place
      put the tubing behind his head
      putting the tubing inside his night shirt
      various brands of cannulas
      keeping the slider very, very snug
      We are desperate. I have been getting up every 2-3 hours to check on it. It is sometimes off 3 times in the night. We are all tired. Is there some kind of apparatus that would go over his head and keep it in place?

      • Hello Bonnie, if your father is on continuous-flow oxygen, we recommend using an oxygen mask instead of nasal cannula at night. The mask should be a full face mask that covers the nose and mouth. Also, try using a CPAP mask.

        • Hello Sanket,

          Do you have suggestions for keeping an oxygen mask on during sleep? My father uses a non-rebreather mask at night and we’ve tried taping the straps down but it keeps coming off at night

          • Please consult your father’s healthcare provider or a respiratory therapist. They can provide guidance on mask fit and may be able to recommend specific solutions based on his individual needs.

  2. My wife’s cannula would fall out when she was sleeping. I cut two 5/8″ long pieces from the main tube of an old cannula. I slid them over the nose vents on her cannula, covering them to their base. The added length to the nose pieces now keeps them in place in her nose. It is not necessarily needed, but a drop of vinyl adhesive to the cannula nose pieces will help keep the extensions on.

    • Thank you for your comment, Karen. We will need a little more information regarding your situation in order to best assist you. Which model and brand of mask are you currently using? If you’d like, you’re welcome to reach out to our Service Department at 877-303-9289 and one of our representatives may be able to walk through some additional solutions for comfort.

    • I have been wearing an oxygen cannula for asthma/bronchial issues for about 6 years. The supplier gave me rubber tubing with a split in it to fit over the hose behind my ears, but it didn’t stay on very long. I would find the little gray tubes all over the place! (looked like gray worms!) Eventually I got use to it and it didn’t hurt any more. Now I’m trying to get use to wearing a mask (though rarely), glasses and the cannula! Life goes on. Grateful for the oxygen.

  3. Client’s tubing that goes around ears won’t stay in place, we are constantly adjusting it. Any ideas to fix problem? Thank you.

  4. The plastic piece that slides along the two small tubes to keep the cannula in place always loosens after a few nights, allowing the cannula to come loose. Any tips on keeping it snug? Thanks.

      • I have the same problem. The slide won’t stay in place from the time I start using a new one. I sometimes use a twist tie to keep it in place. Any other ideas? Maybe a slide that clamps?

        • For some people, they put the cannula on the backside of there head instead of leaving it in the front. For some that help it stay in place a little better.

          • Hi Katie, Margaret is suggesting placing the slide adjuster behind the head instead of placing it under the chin.

    • To secure the slide/bolo, try a piece or two of tape on one or both tubes. Some use athletic tape. Put the cannula on and slide the slide/bolo to the tightness you want. Mark the location. Take the cannula off and wrap about 3 inches of tape around one of the tubes. Test. If one piece of tape doesn’t hold, try taping the other tube, or apply another layer of tape on the first tube. Just remember you need to slide the slide/bolo down to take off the cannula. You may have to repeat a few times as you wear the cannula. The negative is that you will have to repeat the procedure for each new cannula. I’m still experimenting with different adhesives. Good luck.

  5. I cut a womens ultra thin panty liner in half. They have adhesive on one side. I slip one under tubing on both sides of face. No more lines in the morning. And you can use more than once.

    • THANKYOU BARBARA!!! My facial skin is so so thin the cannula lines are about permanent, I’ve tried a scarf wrapped around my head timing the cannula lines on my forehead in the scarf knots, which worked I thought. Then after a night of that, I realized my oxygen way out or not blowing correctly and an awful nights sleep, and weak the next day.
      On the mini-pad idea, does your hair get stuck to the adhesive ever?
      Thankyou,
      Cheryl

  6. I just started wearing a cannula breathing device. I see lots of ear padding but the only thing I’ve seen for the nose is for the top. Does anyone make some type padding for the nostrils?

    • Thank you for your inquiry. I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request. For more immediate assistance feel free to give our specialists a call at 888-360-9628 or if you prefer email sales@amsrco.com.

      • Not sure about padding for your nostrils but with time, you get use to it. My doctor reccomended using Ayr gel inside my nose. Plus, if you use any petroleum products, it will cause the hoses to deteriorate and make it rough. Getting a mister bottle for the concentrator also helps. Ask your provider to help with this.

  7. I just recently started using oxygen with tubing. I am having trouble keeping it on my ears. I already wear glasses and have been wearing aids that fit behind the ear. There isn’t enough room on my ears for these 3 things. Do you have any suggestions what I may be able to do?

    • Try putting the cannula so that it hangs behind you instead of in front of you and then tightening the slider on the tub. This will help keep it on.

  8. Great advice! I just had my wife try it and it’s much more comfortable. I also cut up some sunglasses necklaces to put around the tubing on her ears.

  9. hi, i have just started using an ipap system (second Night)
    i am developing a very sore area on the bridge of my nose.
    is there some form of badding i can buy to stop this?

  10. We were told that we shouldn’t use a soft cannula at night because you may lay on it and close off the tubing thus cutting off the oxygen supply

    • That is correct. Typically if you use oxygen at night a mask or tubing that is more rigid should be considered.

  11. I just started using oxygen at night. I have always slept on my stomach. Is it all right to do this while using the oxygen with cannula? My back hurts if I sleep on my stomach.

    • We cannot advise whether sleeping on the stomach will administer the oxygen properly. Please consult with your physician or health care provider.

  12. another thing I have learned about using supplemental oxygen….Always have a twisting connector between the cannula and the air hose, prevents a lot of tangling and bunching up of the air hose.

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