I’m on oxygen (via a cannula and O2 Concentrator, mostly), 24/7 just about, which tends to dry out my nasal passages.
This results in the formation of gigantic snots, or boogers (or whatever you choose to call them), in both nostrils. that are difficult to remove. Gentle exhalations through the nose don’t come any near to doing the job. And when I expel air forcefully enough, I bleed. Oh, nothing life-threatening, but it’s annoying.
So. What’s the latest, most effective technique for non-hemmorrhagic snot removal?
BTW, I saw an episode on House, in which Good old Dr. H, went up a baby’s nostril with a hemostat to remove itty-bitty toys the child had inserted . I have a hemostat, and would be willing to give it a go – with a little advice – if this seems to be the bet route. :D:D:D
You probably need a humidifier attached to your O2 line. Can the company that provides the concentrator, tank and tubing send you a humidifier, also?
Alternately, you may want to include a ‘nasal hygiene’ program into your day- something like actually washing your nostrils twice a day or something like that.
Sorry. I neglected to mention I do have a bubbler attached to my O2 Concentrator. But using Oxygen as much as I do, humdifying isn’t very effective, it seems.
Now that you mention washing…
When I had a sinus problem, I used to douche my nostrils and sinuses with a mild saline solution. Might work for this latest problem.
I can’t help with your primary question, but I’ve got this one. It’s just like the difference between fewer and less. If you can count them, it’s fewer, if you have to weigh them, it’s less. So if you can count them it’s fewer boogers, but if you have to weigh it it’s less snot.
Ordinarily, Bosda, I am an accomplished nose picker. But these are too deep, too embedded. Tried yesterday and my finger ended up twanging my uvula - and I still couldn’t dislodge the boogers.
If you aren’t having luck with whatever you’re trying now, a small (3ml) medication syringe of the hottest water your abused nasal passages can stand might be helpful. Stick it in, plunge in the water, let the syringe stay in for a few moments, then take it out and let the water run out. Repeat until things are loosened and you can use a combo of gentle blowing, light picking (seriously, it’s just you alone in your bathroom, go to town) and more water until things are clean. It’s sort of like the neti pot solution, but not quite as intense, and more localized to just the nostrils.
Then, once you’ve got everything gone, I think moisturizing the mucous membranes regularly is going to be important to help keep the problem in check. There are products that you should be able to get via your doctor or the home health agency that handles your oxygen/supplies. Rhinaris and Roezit are two brand names I’m familiar with. Talk to your doctor! Nasal dryness (and resulting mucous issues) is a common problem for patients on continuous O2 and there are no doubt solutions that are easily accessed.
