1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Living Dangerously - Nebulizer Cleaning

Posted by thumperguy @thumperguy, Mar 12, 2021

I marvel at the time consuming, meticulous way many, perhaps the majority, of contributors to this forum clean and sanitize nebulizers. Following the treatment session I soap and hot water “bathe” the mouthpiece then let it air dry until its next use. The tube gets no special attention except being fully disconnected from the compressor. I’ve read of some regimens aimed at sanitizing shower heads; another activity I ignore entirely. I’m closing in on 16 months free of a “flare-up” involving fever, and an antibiotic to defeat.
The lengthening periods of freedom from acute symptoms is something I attribute solely to learning about 7% saline nebulizer solution which I read about on this forum.
My comparatively minimal attention to “sanitation” may catch up with me but so far so good.

I should add that I realize many forum participants are contending with considerably more virulent pathology than I am. Don

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

janeta | @janeta | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @gej53 "Thanks for that info....good to know. Hopefully if I tell him I have had no problem..." + (show)
@gej53

Thanks for that info....good to know. Hopefully if I tell him I have had no problem since starting he will give me a rx. The 7% saline , along with my vest has helped me alot.

Jump to this post

Do you take a bronchodilator (e.g. Alb or Levalbuterol) as part of your med regimen, in either nebulizer or inhaler form?

REPLY
patsolstad | @patsolstad | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @egayle187 "@patsoldad...I wash every time I use the nebulizer. I brush my teeth before I use it,..." + (show)
@egayle187

@patsoldad...I wash every time I use the nebulizer. I brush my teeth before I use it, too. Good luck.

Jump to this post

Hello. Thanks for the response. I, too, wash the parts after every use. That part has become a habit with me. BUT...I am still confused about how often I should sanitize (boil, microwave, use alcohol or vinegar or hydrogen peroxide). Do yo sanitize?

REPLY
2 replies
thumperguy | @thumperguy | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @patsolstad "Thanks, Don. Don't you wash the parts in soapy water? It certainly would be easier to..." + (show)
@patsolstad

Thanks, Don. Don't you wash the parts in soapy water? It certainly would be easier to just sanitize every time, it seems. I just bought a couple of bottles of 70% alcohol. Do you think I could do as you do and just use that every time (and not wash with soapy water)? Sorry for my dumb questions; I'm looking for any way to save time and still be safe. Pat

Jump to this post

Pat, Absent some sort of solid material resisting removal I doubt soap and water adds much, if anything, to the hygienic status of the mouthpiece. But I’m a superannuated psychologist; maybe there’s a bacteriologist lurking on the forum can chime in here. Don

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @patsolstad "Hello. Thanks for the response. I, too, wash the parts after every use. That part has..." + (show)
@patsolstad

Hello. Thanks for the response. I, too, wash the parts after every use. That part has become a habit with me. BUT...I am still confused about how often I should sanitize (boil, microwave, use alcohol or vinegar or hydrogen peroxide). Do yo sanitize?

Jump to this post

Vinegar, full strength, is effective against mycobacterium, hence the use of vinegar. Water over 140F is as well.
There are varying reports about the effectiveness of alcohol and hydrogen peroxide (especially because hydrogen peroxide loses its effectiveness very soon after opening.
All that said, I immerse my neb and the mouthpieces from my inhalers as well as the extension tubes in VERY hot (145F) soapy water weekly, soak, scrub, rinse & air dry. Periodically I toss the whole works, in the water, in the microwave for 1 minute, then let it cool - in my oven, that heats the water from 145 to 180, enough to kill just about anything. I used to religiously use vinegar or alcohol, but quit several months ago with no apparent ill effect.
Sue

REPLY
2 replies
greentree | @greentree | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @gej53 "I also was very healthy and active, watching diet and exercising. We moved right after I..." + (show)
@gej53

I also was very healthy and active, watching diet and exercising. We moved right after I retired. Had my last day at work, signed on our house that evening and moved that week. I got very tired after that and developed this chronic cough that months later was diagnosed as bronchiectasis. Still hard to wrap my head around it and wonder how that happened...... but have been nebulizing and using my vest ever since.

Jump to this post

I don't know about the vest Can you give me the name I assume you think it is worthwhile. I was diagnosed not long after retirement also Nebulizing has irritated my throat and upper chest during this last flare up, doc told me to take off from the neb for a bit. Do you take mucinex? Thanks for reaching out

REPLY
1 reply
egayle187 | @egayle187 | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @patsolstad "Hello. Thanks for the response. I, too, wash the parts after every use. That part has..." + (show)
@patsolstad

Hello. Thanks for the response. I, too, wash the parts after every use. That part has become a habit with me. BUT...I am still confused about how often I should sanitize (boil, microwave, use alcohol or vinegar or hydrogen peroxide). Do yo sanitize?

Jump to this post

I don't sanitize. I changed the kit if I had an infection. My pulmonologist reports no new damage to lungs after 6 years I live on farm with pigs and cows and chickens; along river, in woods, and have 3 cats and potted plants inside. Not a sterile environment. Do have an HVAC, though.
Unless you have an on-going infection, don't stress. MAC doesn't live on dry equipment. I am a retires psychotherapist, not an expert in microbiology. Just used to helping people live their best life.

REPLY
1 reply
patsolstad | @patsolstad | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @egayle187 "I don't sanitize. I changed the kit if I had an infection. My pulmonologist reports no..." + (show)
@egayle187

I don't sanitize. I changed the kit if I had an infection. My pulmonologist reports no new damage to lungs after 6 years I live on farm with pigs and cows and chickens; along river, in woods, and have 3 cats and potted plants inside. Not a sterile environment. Do have an HVAC, though.
Unless you have an on-going infection, don't stress. MAC doesn't live on dry equipment. I am a retires psychotherapist, not an expert in microbiology. Just used to helping people live their best life.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much! I feel less nervous about it now. SO pleased that you are doing well.

REPLY
patsolstad | @patsolstad | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Vinegar, full strength, is effective against mycobacterium, hence the use of vinegar. Water over 140F is..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Vinegar, full strength, is effective against mycobacterium, hence the use of vinegar. Water over 140F is as well.
There are varying reports about the effectiveness of alcohol and hydrogen peroxide (especially because hydrogen peroxide loses its effectiveness very soon after opening.
All that said, I immerse my neb and the mouthpieces from my inhalers as well as the extension tubes in VERY hot (145F) soapy water weekly, soak, scrub, rinse & air dry. Periodically I toss the whole works, in the water, in the microwave for 1 minute, then let it cool - in my oven, that heats the water from 145 to 180, enough to kill just about anything. I used to religiously use vinegar or alcohol, but quit several months ago with no apparent ill effect.
Sue

Jump to this post

Thanks, Sue! I think I will try the vinegar. (Does full strength mean 5% acidity? Same as the strength used for cooking?) I REALLY like the idea of using the microwave! Thanks again...much appreciated.

REPLY
hauoli | @halford | Jun 17, 2021
In reply to @patsolstad "How often do you sanitize? And what do you use? I am very new to all..." + (show)
@patsolstad

How often do you sanitize? And what do you use? I am very new to all of this. THANKS!

Jump to this post

I alternate cleaning my nebulizer and aerobika. One day hot water and dish soap for 5 minutes sitting. And the next day I boil what I sure. Everything is dried overnite. So far it works. Hauoli

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.