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AIBU?

Need advice re oxygen tubing

18 replies

Christmastits · 03/02/2018 02:41

Ok so I've got from CPAP, to humidified O2, mask and now I'm on nasal canula which is ace. I have a thread detailing how I failed to realise I was dying essentially.

Anyway I can't go without the oxygen but my ears hurt so much from the tubing. They're bleeding at the top where it rubs. Is there anything I can put on it? Can I ask the staff to put some sponge or something on it? Christ it hurts so much!

I'm so happy I've gone down to nasal prongs I really am, and I'm happy that I'm feeling annoyed and bored and that I'm feeling this pain because it means I'm getting better. But fuck me it hurts!!

Aibu to ask you to give me some advice on what the hell to do??

OP posts:

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Doctordid · 03/02/2018 02:46

If no one replies I will ask my Mum in the morning for you as she is a nurse.

Doctordid · 03/02/2018 02:49

Some ideas on here too including replies from the British Lung Foundation on the same subject.

healthunlocked.com/blf/posts/412535/sore-behind-the-ears...

Christmascardqueen · 03/02/2018 02:54

no petroleum jelly on the tubing (the Vaseline breaks it down) but you certainly can pad the outside to make it more comfy.

tomatosalt · 03/02/2018 02:54

Hi OP,
I find that wrapping gauze around the part of the tubing that makes contact with the ear can help my patients. I also apply Vaseline to the skin to reduce friction. There are ready made devices for these types of pressure ulcers like these: www.medigroup.com.au/comfyears
As this sounds like a long term treatment it might be worth investing but I often find DIY solution are just as effective.
Have your practice nurse or GP assess the damage already caused to make sure it isn’t serious. I hope you’re feeling better soon, I know how even the smallest of pressure injuries can be excruciating.

putputput · 03/02/2018 02:55

Duoderm dressing over the sore bits , it's pressure causing the damage.
Once the areas have healed there are some great gel strips to relieve pressure, Aderma.
Until the areas healed can you put the tubing so it goes behind your head? It's less comfy but takes pressure off

justkeeponsmiling · 03/02/2018 02:56

Oh dear Christmas you poor thing! I know there are spongy covers for nasal cannula where they go over the ears. If you are an in-patient can you ask the nurses for some? I think unless you have experience of the pain first hand you don't realise how much impact such a comparatively small thing can have! All the best to you

tomatosalt · 03/02/2018 02:56

I have to say I’ve never found that the Vaseline breaks the tubing down. But I work in acute care where supplies are plentiful and patients don’t generally stay on oxygen for extremely long periods of time so if you can’t replace the tubing regularly it might not be suitable.

Wingedharpy · 03/02/2018 02:57

Retired insomniac night nurse here.
You just need to put something between your skin and the plastic tubing so that the friction when you move around, doesn't rub your skin.
For tonight, a folded tissue tucked under the tubing should help stop it rubbing.
Then Google ear protection nasal cannula pads.
You can buy them for a couple of pounds (assuming UK).
Good luck.

FrostyPopThePenguinLord · 03/02/2018 02:58

Can you tape it to your face temporarily like a nasal feeding tube until your ears heal and you find a good solution long term. Might be crap but might take the immediate frustration away.

lalalalyra · 03/02/2018 02:58

When my cousin was sick the nurses put a foam plaster over the tubing to stop it running so much.

she also taped the tube to reading glasses, or to her cheeks occasionally so that she didn't always have to bring the tubes back to the front and that lessened the rubbing on her ears a bit.

Christmastits · 03/02/2018 02:59

I'm going to ask when they come to take my obs I think. I need to do something, I have at least another week on it I think. I can't cope with it anymore. I think it must have started with the head strap of the CPAP. Ugh it's been such a shitty month.
Thank you for the support :)

OP posts:

lalalalyra · 03/02/2018 02:59

*rubbing, not running

Christmastits · 03/02/2018 03:03

Thank you all so much!

I don't know why I can't sleep. We have little foam sticker type things in paeds do you think adults would have the same thing? If not I can ask my colleague to bring some down from scbu where I work.

OP posts:

Wifeofapostie · 03/02/2018 03:05

I second asking for Duoderm. If your ward/unit doesn't stock it ask your Nurse to try Children's Ward or Neonatal Unit. Either of those wards will have it.

Wingedharpy · 03/02/2018 03:06

Sorry OP. I didn't appreciate you are an in patient just now.
You must let them know that your ears are painfull and bleeding.
They will sort it for you.
Use your call bell if they are not with you fairly soon.
They are there to help you.

Christmastits · 03/02/2018 03:11

@Wingedharpy yeah I've been an inpatient for a few weeks. I had pneumonia that I left until I got sepsis and my lung lining filled with pus so had a chest drain and lots of interventions.

But I'm getting better. I've asked the nurse to see if she can sort it, she said it looked really sore and she might ask the Day team to ask tissue viability to come and have a look as it's bleeding a bit.

She's taped them to my face for now and it feels so much better

OP posts:

Wingedharpy · 03/02/2018 03:17

I'm going to stop posting now Christmas as I'm going from bad to worse!
You didn't mention you were a health care worker!
Reminds me of the time I gave a very carefully worded, (in layman's terms,)explanation about what a carotid doppler test was to a patient's son.
He let me witter on for a bit and then said, "it's ok Nurse, I do know about carotid dopplers. I'm an ear, nose and throat Consultant Surgeon"!
He did try to let me down gently though by saying it was a good explanation.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and comfy ears, soon.

CocoDeMoll · 03/02/2018 03:25

Hi! I had EXACTLY the same as you this time last Feb. Started out as a pneumonia I neglected to being in hospital with an empyma and a chest drain plus lots of other complications and the threat of lung surgery hanging over me. After a few weeks I graduated to nasal specks and found them unbearable. Not the rubbing though so I don't have any decent advice on that by just true empathy. Hang in there and I hope you get home soon. I was alowed out when I could prove I could surivive without any oxygen and my CRP stayed well below 80. Happy to talk PM off the boards if you want to chat to someone who's been through a very familiar situation

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