How Can Soreness And Dryness In The Nose Be Treated While On An Oxygen Tank?

Posted on Thu, 15 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 Answered on

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband had a heart attack. He had a stent put in and is on oxygen. We have been
home for one week. He has oxygen at night level 3 and a cart and portable tank for day use.
He is using the tank about 8 hours a day at level 2. He has complained about soreness
inside his nose. When he blows his nose there are red streaks from cracking and dryness.
His home -use air- concentrater doesn't have a water bottle because it was delivered after
hours - 8 PM Friday---My husband put mentholatum in his nose Please give suggestions.

Answered by Dr. Sagar Makode (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

You should use nasoclear nasal drop

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Likely this is due to excessive dryness leading to crusting. The best option is making arrangement for a water bottle so that he'll get humidified oxygen.

You can make home-based arrangements for the same as well using any bottle which has an inlet and outlet, and dipping one end into the distilled water and another open end to outflow.

Until arrangements for humidified oxygen is done, he should use nasoclear nasal drop. This is a saline drop to be put in both nostrils every 2-4 hours.

It will keep mucosa wet. Also, you could use a humidifier in the room like some boiling water at the corner of the room to keep room humidified or steamer on. This will also prevent the problem.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Sagar Makode, Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad