Zest Nasal Mask - condensation problems

[jen4700]

My sister is using a Zest Nasal mask and from the beginning has had rainout problems. But we've tracked it down to condensation building up in her mask between the cushion and the silicone. When she rolls on her side the water goes on her face. So I don't think it actually qualifies as rainout.. IDK

Anyone have this problem? Any suggestions on how to fix it?

[Pugsy]

Actually I think it does qualify for rain out. Most likely condensation in the mask from the moisture in her exhaled breath.
Still condensation and still annoying.

When its at the mask level as in your sister's case, it is harder to prevent because it is just harder to insulate that area or add enough warm air via the humidifier or hose to prevent it from happening.

What machine is she using? Humidifier at what setting? Does she use a hose cozy? Hose cozy might help the air going to the mask to stay warmer longer and thus prevent the cooling of the air in the mask.
Room temperature being warmer would help but some of us don't like warm bedrooms.
If she doesn't have a heated hose....then a heated hose would likely help a lot.
If she could rig up some sort of "cozy" or cover for the mask (don't block vent holes) that would act as an insulator that would likely help. That's one of the reasons I use a barrel cozy on my nasal pillows. I got tired of a cold shower from my exhaled breath. Hose cozy helped with rain out in the hose but it wasn't enough to prevent the condensation of moisture from my own breath.

So basically one does what one can to limit the chances of condensation in the mask.

[jen4700]

Thanks Pugsy. She's got a ResMed S9 auto with heated hose, but I'm wondering if it wasn't setup correctly. I'll have to check all her settings.

[Pugsy]

If she has a heated hose then it likely was set to automatic. It might help her to be able to set the temperature and humidity separately if increasing the temperature in automatic setting isn't enough.
So ask her what the temp setting is...maybe she just needs a little more warmth. If it is already high then maybe setting the controls off of automatic would allow some relief. Like more warmth and not quite so much added moisture from the humidifier.
There is also the ResMed hose cozy for the slim line hose when can be used on the Climateline hose.

The main goal would be to increase the air temp inside the mask by some method so that air doesn't cool down so much and release the moisture.

I battled rain out for 2 winters (this was long before heated hoses were available other than the Aussie heated hose) and it was a real PITA. Hose cozies would help some but not at the mask level.
Also..if she routes the hose overhead then any accumulated moisture will run right back into the mask...water can flow uphill. This is a possible drawback to routing the hose over head. If the hose is laying down there is the chance of the water flowing back into the hose. Small chance really, but a chance.
I prefer to try to prevent the rain out instead of trying to let it go somewhere because Murphy's law says it won't ever flow where you want it to.

[Burkebang]

One thing that can help a lot is to raise the room temperature, if she has a cold bedroom. Low temperatures will lower the dewpoint a lot creating much more condensation in the hose and mask.

I'd also try to lower the Climate control temperture. Less heat means less condensation. Combined with raising the room temperature, I think she'll find a pint where the problem is solved.

[chunkyfrog]

Don't forget that a mask liner could be another answer.
Rem-zzz's or Pad-a-Cheek.
Then there are the cloth masks: Sleepweaver Advance and élan.

[jen4700]

I had her try my elan but she couldn't make it work. She really likes the Zest.