A deviated septum is a nasal septum, the bone and cartilage dividing the nose, that sits off-center. Cleveland Clinic says about 8 in 10 people have a septum that is a little off-center, and most do not notice.[1] When the deviation is more pronounced, air has a harder time flowing through the nose.[1]
A pillow cannot straighten a septum. The only way to fix one is surgery.[1] What a pillow can do is hold your head in a position that suits you, or make room for a CPAP mask if you wear one. This guide covers what Cleveland Clinic, the NHS and the German health institute IQWiG say, and four products that are in stock on the web US.
Deviated septum and sleep basics
- Symptoms include difficulty breathing through the nostrils, usually worse on one side, nasal congestion, noisy breathing, snoring, nosebleeds, headaches, facial pain and loss of smell.[1]
- Most people with a deviated septum need no treatment. Mild symptoms can be treated with antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays or decongestants, but do not use decongestant sprays for more than three days in a row.[1]
- Septoplasty is the only way to fix a deviated septum, and doctors consider it when medication is not helping enough and the problem is greatly affecting your daily life.[1][4]
- The NHS lists sleeping on your side, with a special pillow or bed wedge to keep you there, as a way to reduce snoring.[2]
- Cleveland Clinic lists sleep apnea as a possible complication of a severely deviated septum. The NHS says many people with sleep apnoea need a CPAP machine.[1][3]
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lunderg CPAP Pillow | CPAP pillow | Slow-rebound memory foam | Two machine-washable pillowcases | 21.6 x 13.8 in | Machine washable cases |
| 2 | Aeris Bed Wedge | Wedge pillow | Firm memory foam | Machine-washable | 25.6 x 25.6 x 8.7 in | Machine washable cover |
| 3 | Ikstar CPAP Pillow | CPAP pillow | Slow-rebound memory foam | – | 22.8 x 15 in | – |
| 5 | Cushion Lab Deep Sleep | Contour pillow | Dual-density memory foam | Smooth washable cover | 15.8 x 7.1 in | Washable cover |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Deviated Septum Causes and Complications
Some people are born with a deviated septum. A difficult delivery can injure the septum, and as the nose grows the septum can lean toward one side, which is the most common cause. A nose injury such as a broken nose can also cause it.[1]
- Symptoms – Difficulty breathing out of your nostrils (usually worse on one side), facial pain, headaches, loss of smell, nasal congestion, noisy breathing, nosebleeds and snoring.[1]
- Risk Factors – Anything that injures the nose, such as car accidents, contact sports, falls and fights. Wear a seatbelt, and wear protective gear such as a midface mask and helmet for contact sports.[1]
- Complications – A severely deviated septum can cause chronic sinusitis, dry mouth, nasal congestion, sleep apnea, and long-lasting or frequent ear infections in children.[1]
- Treatment – Most people do not need treatment. Antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants can treat mild symptoms, and septoplasty is the only way to fix a deviated septum.[1]
Talk to a provider if your symptoms interfere with breathing, disrupt your sleep or hurt other parts of your life.[1]
Sleeping with a Deviated Septum
None of the medical pages we reviewed tell people with a deviated septum which position to sleep in. Choose the one that lets you breathe best, and ask your doctor.
Two sleep issues do have guidance. The NHS says snoring is very common and is not usually caused by anything serious, and it suggests sleeping on your side, with a special pillow or bed wedge to help keep you there.[2] Special devices such as nasal dilators or strips, or decongestants or nasal sprays, are the NHS options for blocked or narrow airways in the nose.[2]
See a GP if you feel sleepy during the day, your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, or you gasp or choke in your sleep. You may have sleep apnoea, which can be serious if not treated.[2][3] A CPAP machine pumps air into a mask over your nose, or your nose and mouth, while you sleep.[3] If you wear a mask, a pillow with side cutouts gives the mask and hose room, as on the Lunderg and Ikstar pillows below.
Features of a Good Pillow for a Deviated Septum
- Mask Cutouts – For CPAP users, cutouts on the sides of the pillow keep the mask from pressing against the pillow.
- Adjustable Height – A removable foam layer or a two-height pillow lets you match the loft to your position. A back sleeper usually needs a lower pillow than a side sleeper.
- Incline – A wedge raises your upper body. Ask your doctor which angle suits you.
- Fill and Firmness – Memory foam holds its shape. If you prefer a soft pillow, check the loft against your sleeping position.
- Cover – A removable, washable cover is easier to keep clean.
How We Chose These Pillows
These picks come from research. We compared the makers’ specifications, the The web product pages and buyer feedback, and we checked that every pick is in stock on the web US. We did not test the pillows ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Mask Compatibility – Whether the pillow has cutouts or room for a CPAP mask and hose.
- Height and Loft – Whether the height is adjustable or has two profiles.
- Cover – Whether the cover is removable and washable.
- Stock – Whether the product is in stock on the web US at the time we checked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Pillows for a Deviated Septum
- Can a pillow fix a deviated septum?
No. Cleveland Clinic says the only way to fix a deviated septum is septoplasty, a surgery.[1] A pillow only changes how your head and upper body rest. - Do I need treatment for a deviated septum?
Usually not. Cleveland Clinic says most people have little to no symptoms and need no treatment. Mild symptoms can be treated with medication, and surgery is an option if the septum keeps you from breathing properly.[1] - How long can I use a decongestant spray?
Cleveland Clinic says not to use nasal decongestant sprays for more than three days in a row, because it can cause rebound congestion.[1] - Which sleep position is best with a deviated septum?
The reviewed medical pages do not name one. The NHS says sleeping on your side can reduce snoring.[2] Choose the position that lets you breathe best.
Our Picks: Pillows for a Deviated Septum
Here are four products that are in stock on the web US: two CPAP pillows, a bed wedge and a contour pillow.
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Lunderg® CPAP Pillow Memory Foam Pillow with Mask Cutouts
The Lunderg CPAP Pillow is a two-sided contour pillow with cutouts that make room for a CPAP mask, for side, back and stomach sleepers.
- Lunderg says it works with nasal, nasal pillow, full-face, hybrid and face or mouth masks, including ResMed and Philips Respironics.
- A removable 1.1 inch memory foam layer sets a lower or higher profile.
- It comes with two machine-washable pillowcases, and it measures 21.6 x 13.8 inches. It is FSA and HSA eligible.
2
Aeris® Bed Wedge 19-Degree Memory Foam Wedge Pillow
The Aeris Bed Wedge is a firm memory foam wedge with a 19-degree incline that raises your whole upper body, sold for snoring and acid reflux.
- It is 25.6 inches wide and 8.7 inches high at the peak, and it weighs about 6.8 pounds.
- The flat side goes against the headboard, and the curved top holds your shoulders.
- Side sleepers add a regular head pillow on top. It arrives vacuum compressed, and it needs 24 to 48 hours to reach full height.
3
Ikstar® CPAP Pillow Dual-Height Memory Foam Mask Pillow
The Ikstar CPAP Pillow is a memory foam contour pillow with side cutouts that give a CPAP mask and hose extra room when you sleep on your side.
- It fits full-face, nasal and nasal pillow masks.
- Two contour heights let you pick the side that suits your sleeping position, and it measures 22.8 x 15 inches.
- A central head cradle supports side, back and stomach sleeping. It is FSA and HSA eligible.
5
Cushion Lab® Deep Sleep Contoured Memory Foam Neck Pillow
The Cushion Lab Deep Sleep is a contoured pillow for side and back sleepers, with sculpted side bolsters and a center contour.
- The memory foam has two densities, a soft top layer over a firmer base.
- The cover is smooth and washable.
- A shoulder line lets you sit closer to the pillow when you sleep on your back.
Index Table: Pillows for A Deviated Septum
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lunderg CPAP Pillow - Memory Foam Pillow with Mask Cutouts |  |
| Lunderg |
| 2 | Aeris Bed Wedge - 19-Degree Memory Foam Wedge Pillow |  |
| Aeris |
| 3 | Ikstar CPAP Pillow - Dual-Height Memory Foam Mask Pillow |  |
| Ikstar |
| 5 | Cushion Lab Deep Sleep - Contoured Memory Foam Neck Pillow |  |
| Cushion Lab |
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Deviated Septum: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Snoring. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Sleep apnoea. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- InformedHealth.org, Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Deviated septum in the nose: Surgery for a deviated septum (septoplasty). Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around Cleveland Clinic, NHS and IQWiG guidance, removed the unsourced ’80 percent’ framing, the claim that doctors prescribe CPAP for a deviated septum and the sleeping position advice, corrected the malformed Cushion Lab entry, dropped the out-of-stock Elviros cervical pillow, rewrote the product notes and added a disclaimer, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced the Sources with four reviewed pages
- Oct 2026: Removed Relax Home Life Wedge Pillow (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Jan 2023: Published
