Heated humidification, which can lessen dryness and increase compliance, can help persons with nasal congestion, dry nasal passages, sore throats, and nosebleeds while using a CPAP machine. Although it may result in water build-up in your mask and condensation build-up in your hose, humidification can significantly improve your comfort when using a CPAP machine. While utilizing a heated humidifier, CPAP rainout—also known as CPAP rainout—can occur often.

What is CPAP Rainout?

You get a damp face from CPAP rainout when hot air cools in your tubing and leaks into your mask as water. As a result of the unpleasant sensation of water on their face and the occasional gurgling in the tube that condensation might produce, patients may become awake from their slumber. While awake, some patients—especially those prone to claustrophobia—may experience anxiety. You awaken due to the minute water droplets that form and splash in your face. Little water beads collect in the CPAP tubing and drip down the hose to your face, 

What causes CPAP rainouts?

CPAP rainout is sure if the humidifier is set to its highest level. In essence, warm air cooling inside your CPAP hose causes rainout. The more condensation is likely to form, the warmer the humidifier air is or, the colder your bedroom. Fortunately, there are several things you may do to prevent or lessen CPAP rainouts.

Keep in mind that you breathe the air the machine circulates throughout the night, so it’s crucial to ensure it’s as pure and clean as possible. Except for the unpleasant symptoms connected with it, CPAP rainout isn’t very dangerous—unless you ignore routinely cleaning your CPAP machine and its components.

Just consider it. All CPAP users must maintain their CPAP mask and hose clean because water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Although the tubing, your mask, and other components of the apparatus may appear pristine, a variety of nasty microorganisms, mildew, dust, and bacteria can and will accumulate inside, increasing your risk of respiratory tract discomfort or even an infection.

How can I avoid the CPAP Rainout?

Even though maintaining a close temperature match between the interior and outside of your tubing can help minimize water getting into your CPAP hose and mask, CPAP rainout can still occur occasionally. To stop water from building up in your CPAP hose, use a hose cover or modify the settings on your humidifier.

Solutions for CPAP rainout:

1. Employ Heated CPAP Tubing

Heated tubing prevents CPAP rainout by maintaining the air’s temperature as it moves from the humidifier to your mask. It is designed to handle humidification in real time based on the ambient temperature levels of your bedroom.

For example, the ClimateLineAir Heated Tube is available for the AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 machines, and the Heated Tube is available for any DreamStation device from several well-known CPAP manufacturers. The non-condensing ClimateLineAir is one of the most excellent CPAP hose options since it helps reduce rainout and allows movement while you sleep.

2. Cover Your Hose to Control Air Warm

Also, covering your CPAP hose with a tube cover specifically made for it helps insulate the hose and prevents CPAP rainout from being caused by the temperature in your bedroom. As a bonus, you may run the tube beneath your sheets to warm the hose even more. In the end, proper CPAP hose accessories will help you avoid CPAP rainouts and stay asleep.

3. Change Humidifier Settings

The correct CPAP humidifier settings can make all the difference. In general, the best humidity level for CPAP machines is a set of three. To help address CPAP rainout issues, you can adjust the settings by 0.5 increments but visit your doctor first. Before changing your humidifier settings, talk to your equipment provider to help discover your best temperature setting for CPAP therapy.

4. Adjust the Ambient Temperature

As already explained, CPAP rainout is caused by the temperature differential between the air in your tubing and your bedroom. You are more prone to suffer condensation in your tubing if you keep your room particularly cool at night. Although this is a quick and easy fix, you should change the humidifier’s settings since many prefer sleeping in more relaxed environments.

5. Move Your CPAP Machine

To prevent moisture from reaching your mask while sleeping, position your Respironics DreamStation CPAP machine lower than your mask. Use gravity to your advantage! Try moving your CPAP equipment from your nightstand to a lower shelf or even the floor if it is currently there. If any water droplets develop, they will return to the humidifier rather than sprinkling on your face.

Final Thought

Even with the right CPAP therapy, experiencing sleep apnea can make it challenging to achieve regular, good-quality sleep. Although some people feel bloating and others get skin irritation, it’s crucial to continue with the treatment because sleep apnea, left untreated, can have significant side effects. While you may take actions to reduce middle-of-the-night disturbances, many persons with sleep apnea think the advantages of using moisture in conjunction with their CPAP equipment exceed the danger of CPAP rainout. Check out our CPAP solutions page if you still need help with your mask, machine, or humidifier.