What to do after using nasal cannula?
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If you are using oxygen therapy for more than a few hours a day, one of the problems you might encounter is an uncomfortable, dry feeling in your throat, nose, or mouth. Many people deal with these issues when they first start using oxygen therapy, and they either get used to them, or they find a solution. Show
You don’t need to deal with irritated skin or nose bleeds if you do a few simple things to prevent them. Simply keeping your oxygen concentrator, along with any accessories, properly clean can help remedy this problem. When you first start using oxygen, the airflow may feel unusual. The feeling of using oxygen therapy is something that you will grow accustomed to over time. It’s important that you follow the flow rate prescribed by your doctor, do not lessen or increase your prescribed flow rate without consulting your physician. Remember, the most important part of oxygen therapy is getting your body the oxygen it needs! Prevent Nose BleedsNosebleeds can frequently happen for people using oxygen therapy. Nosebleeds often occur because the inside of your nostrils can dry out from the constant flow of air. The delicate skin inside your nose becomes irritated, and one little bump with the edge of the nasal cannula is enough to cause a tiny break in the skin. Bloody noses also happen if you are using a high flow of oxygen through a face mask instead of a cannula. Another normal occurrence is seeing blood in your mucus after you blow your nose while using your oxygen concentrator. To prevent bloody noses and dry nasal skin in general, you can use a moisturizing balm. There are moisturizing balms on the market that are specifically made for dry nasal passages due to oxygen therapy, but you can also use sesame seed oil for the same effect. Sesame seed oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and can also protect you from germs that might be hiding in your nose. Apply the moisturizing balm or sesame seed oil to the inside of your nostrils with the tip of a cotton swab, or with a clean finger. A thin coating is enough, you don’t want to apply too much, or it may be uncomfortable. Add HumidityDry nose and throat can often be treated and prevented by using a humidifier bottle with your oxygen concentrator. All home oxygen concentrators and continuous-flow portable oxygen concentrators have an optional humidifier bottle kit available. These particular bottles attach to your concentrator and force the oxygen through water. This process helps to add moisture to the oxygen provided to you so that it will not dry you out nearly as much. If you are experiencing a dry mouth and throat while using a humidifier bottle, you can use a room humidifier to add even more moisture to the air you’re breathing in. You might find that you need this the most while you are sleeping when we tend to breathe through our mouths more. Make sure the water that you are using in your humidifiers is distilled.  Keep it CleanWash out your humidifier, as well as the rubber tubing and nasal cannula, with a mild detergent and water once a week. You will need to replace your tubing every couple of months and your nasal cannula at least once per month. As always, make sure to speak to your physician if you have any questions or concerns regarding your condition and your treatment. Following these simple steps can help reduce the dryness that can come when using oxygen therapy. Related Information
Information on this page is for reference and educational purposes only. For more information, talk to your doctor or primary care provider. A dry mouth, also called xerostomia, can occur when there is not enough moisture in your mouth. If you are using a mask for oxygen intake or an oxygen tube in mouth, chances are you will end up with a dry mouth. Many patients don’t consider a dry mouth a serious problem. However, moisturizers for oxygen users are recommended to prevent it from getting worse. Other symptoms of dry mouth include a scratchy voice, sore throat, thick saliva, patchy tongue, trouble chewing, or a dry nose. A nasal cannula is a medical device to provide supplemental oxygen therapy to people who have lower oxygen levels. There are two types of nasal cannulas: low flow and high flow. The device has two prongs and sits below the nose. The two prongs deliver oxygen directly into your nostrils. High Flow Oxygen vs. Low Flow OxygenHFNC is the medical abbreviation for a high-flow nasal cannula. These devices blow humidified, heated oxygen into the nostrils. They can deliver up to 60 liters of oxygen per minute. Low flow nasal cannulas can only deliver a nasal cannula flow rate of 4-6 liters of oxygen per minute. They don't provide humidified or heated oxygen. So, they often dry out the nasal passages. This can lead to bleeding or irritation. Nasal Cannula UsesYour doctor may recommend a nasal cannula if you are having trouble breathing or if you do not have enough oxygen in your blood. Reasons you might use a nasal cannula include:
Nasal Cannula RisksThe risks of using a nasal cannula include: Abdominal distension. Children or people undergoing anesthesia are at particular risk of abdominal distension, or bloating of the stomach. Other devices that deliver oxygen maintain a higher level of positive airway pressure and carry no risk of distension. However, HFNCs have lower positive airway pressure which can allow some gas to get into the digestive system, causing abdominal bloating. Nasal injury or irritation. This is more common with low flow nasal cannulas, but can also occur with high flow systems. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung). There is a small risk of developing a collapsed lung during treatment with a HFNC. In one study, two children, 1% of the children in the study, who received supplemental oxygen via a nasal cannula developed a pneumothorax. Nasal Cannulas and COVID-19In the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with severe cases were intubated. During this procedure, doctors put a tube down a patient's throat, allowing a mechanical device to breath for the patient. There are a lot of side effects to intubation, especially long-term intubation. Complications can include difficulty speaking and swallowing after doctors remove the tube. Studies show success in treating people who have COVID-19 with high flow nasal cannulas before intubation. One study from early in the pandemic in a Chicago hospital emergency room showed that treating people with a HFNC for 10 days can reduce the need for intubation. Another study from France shows a lower mortality rate and a lower intubation rate in people with COVID-19 who are treated with a HFNC within 24 hours of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). While nasal cannulas are used to provide supplemental oxygen in ICUs and hospital wards, people with certain conditions like COPD or pulmonary fibrosis may use one at home. While setting up your home oxygen supply, make sure you understand any maintenance requirements. There are a few different devices you may use. Oxygen concentrator. An oxygen concentrator delivers a supply of concentrated oxygen, drawn from the air around you, through your cannula. Oxygen concentrators come in two types: large stationary ones that remain in your home and smaller portable ones for use outside the home. One benefit to a portable oxygen concentrator is that you can bring it on an airplane. Oxygen tank. These tanks hold either liquid oxygen or compressed gas. You cannot bring these devices on an airplane. Oxygen conserving device. If you use a compressed gas oxygen tank, you will need one of these devices to regulate the flow of oxygen. Change the long tube that connects your cannula to the oxygen device at least every other month, if not more often. Change your nasal cannula once a week or more often if it gets dirty. Even if it is not time to change the tubing or cannula, keep extra at home in case the equipment gets damaged. Have a backup plan in case of a power outage. Some people with an oxygen concentrator system use oxygen tanks as a backup method in case of power failure. Others use a generator. Fire safety is very important when using supplemental oxygen at home. Keep your oxygen equipment away from open flames. Oxygen is highly flammable and could cause a fire to spread faster than usual. SOURCES: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine: "High-Flow Nasal Cannula in Critically III Patients with Severe COVID-19." ClinicalTrials.gov: "High-Flow Heated and Humidified Oxygen Therapy and Gastric Distension (HFHHNOGastric)." ICU Management & Practice: "Prolonged Intubation and Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Survivors." Respiratory Care: "Modalities and Complications Associated With the Use of High-Flow Nasal Cannula: Experience in a Pediatric ICU." Sharma S., Danckers M., Sanhavi D., Chakraborty R. Statpearls, High Flow Nasal Cannula, Statpearls Publishing, 2021 Temple Health: "7 Tips for Living Comfortably with Oxygen at Home." UChicago Medicine: "UChicago Medicine doctors see 'truly remarkable' success using ventilator alternatives to treat COVID-19." USCFHealth: "Traveling With Oxygen," "Your Oxygen Equipment" US Food and Drug Administration: "Pulse Oximeters and Oxygen Concentrators: What to Know About At-Home Oxygen Therapy." |
