Question

during your home visit with mrs .Emma Rock,she complains that the nasal cannula she has been wearing is irritating her cheeks and behind her ears.what are two ways the psw could assist her?

Answer 1

Nasal cannula is a light weight plastic tubing, also known as nasal prongs which is designed to supply high flow oxygen with mixture of air to patients with long term respiratory problems.It has one end split into two prongs that can be placed in the nostrils and the other end can be connected to oxygen supply devices.

The nasal cannula is user friendly and the patient can do daily activities, eat, drink, talk while using it without disruption of oxygen flow. Although, sometimes long term use or these devices can irritate the skin in contact. Mostly, drying inside nose due to continuous high flowing air, skin irritation in check and behind ear are common problems associated with use of nasal cannula.

Suggestions to help reduce the skin irritation include,

1. Advise to use hydrating skin lotion or water-based lubricants morning and night on the area where the device comes in contact with the skin(nostrils, cheeks and behind the ear).It can reduce the skin irritation for some extent.Do not use an oil-based product like petroleum jelly as it is inflammable when come in contact with oxygen.

2. Keep a soft gauze piece between the tubing and skin so that the plastic tubing will not come in direct contact with the skin.

3. Provide a soft plastic cannula instead of  less flexible rigid material. It will reduce feeling of irritation.