Using CPAP With a Stuffy Nose, Cold or Allergies

Why congestion and CPAP clash

When your nose is blocked, the pressure from a nasal mask can feel overwhelming, and you may start breathing through your mouth. Dry air can also irritate the nose, causing more congestion. On the other hand, heated humidification often reduces irritation, and many people find their nasal symptoms improve once humidity is set well.

Practical steps

• Turn up humidity, and use heated tubing if you have it.
• Use a saline nasal spray or rinse before bed. If you use a sinus rinse device, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water as advised by the FDA for nasal irrigation.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about a nasal steroid spray or antihistamine for allergies, or a short-term decongestant if appropriate for you. Decongestant sprays should not be used for more than a few days because of rebound congestion.
• Elevate your head slightly.
• Consider keeping a full face mask as a backup for nights when your nose is blocked. Ask your DME whether your insurance covers one.

Keep using CPAP if you can

Most people can and should continue CPAP during a cold. If you truly cannot tolerate it for a night or two, return to it as soon as possible. If you are vomiting or very nauseated, a full face mask carries a theoretical risk if you vomit while wearing it; talk to your clinician about what to do in that situation.

Clean up after illness

Wash your mask, tubing and water chamber thoroughly once you are over a cold, and consider replacing the cushion and disposable filter. Do not share CPAP equipment with anyone else.

When to get medical advice

See your doctor for congestion that lasts more than a couple of weeks, sinus pain or fever, ear pain, or bleeding from the nose. Ongoing blockage may be due to allergies, a deviated septum or nasal polyps, and treating it can make CPAP much easier.