What can you put on your lips?
| Product type | What to do |
|---|---|
| Water based moisturiser or jelly, such as KY Jelly | Choose a product authorised by your oxygen team for lip care. |
| Aloe vera product | Aloe vera is a listed option for oxygen users. Have your oxygen team check the particular product before using it on your lips. |
| Vaseline or another petroleum based product | Do not use it for lip care with oxygen unless your respiratory therapist or healthcare provider has specifically advised you. |
| Lip balm containing oil or grease | Use an authorised water based alternative instead. |
Read the ingredients and look for water as the first ingredient. Also check whether the product contains petroleum, oil or grease; water appearing first is not a reason to ignore the rest of the formula. Shopping for this is a label reading job, with the product name demoted to decorative lettering.24
How to choose and use a lip moisturiser
- 1Check the ingredients on the actual pack. Look for a water based moisturiser rather than assuming your usual lip balm is suitable.
- 2Ask your oxygen team to confirm the product is authorised for lip care if you are uncertain. Show them the label so they can check the particular formula.
- 3Use the approved water based moisturiser on your lips to help prevent drying and cracking. Keep using oxygen at your prescribed flow rate; do not change the setting yourself.
KY Jelly is a named example for lip care, so your choice does not have to be sold as a lip balm. The shopping list can include a jelly, even if the lip balm aisle would prefer to chair the meeting.1
What about dry skin around your nose?
Keep oil and grease based products away from the face, not just the lips. For a sore nose, use only an aqueous cream or jelly, meaning a water based product, rather than petroleum. Contact your home oxygen service if you have nasal discomfort or nosebleeds. If you apply specialist creams elsewhere on your body, wash your hands thoroughly before handling oxygen equipment.2
Where this answer comes from
- 1Home oxygen – non-respiratorycuh.nhs.uk
- 2Oxygen Servicesnortherncarealliance.nhs.uk
- 3Oxygen safety: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopediamedlineplus.gov
- 4Using Ambulatory Oxygen Therapy (AOT)worcsacute.nhs.uk
