Feeling Congested? Learn How to Use Steam Therapy for Instant Winter Comfort

Steam inhalation, or steam therapy, has been passed down from generation to generation as an effective way to get relief from cold symptoms and seasonal flus. In winter, congestion and cold become a common problem for most people, and steam therapy comes as a great, first-hand home remedy to help ease the congestion, providing instant relief from winter health problems.

The role of inhaling steam is not exactly to treat the virus, but it works as an effective supportive treatment. Dr Basavaraj S Kumbar, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital, suggests that even if steam inhalation does not directly treat the virus, it works as one of the most effective healing and side therapies, particularly in winter. Read ahead to know how you can use steam therapy to treat your cough and cold.

What Exactly Is Steam Therapy?

Steam inhalation basically refers to breathing in warm and humid air, mostly from a homemade remedy, with the aim of relief from nasal congestion and upper respiratory tract irritation. Explaining this, Dr Basavaraj S Kumbar stated, "Heat from the steam helps to loosen the mucus, soothe the inflamed tissues, and thus temporarily facilitate the passage of air. The moisture in the throat, that due to steam, helps soothe the reflex dry cough."

Steam inhalation does not actually kill the bacteria residing in the nose or throat, but serves the purpose of managing the symptoms effectively. "Steam makes dry areas moisturised, helps mucus to be expelled, and relieves the irritation in the throat, thus allowing the patient to breathe more comfortably. It is basically a supportive treatment; its use is quite similar to that of warm liquids or saline irrigation: giving comfort until the immune system takes care of the disease," Dr Kumbar explained.

The Right Way To Perform Steam Therapy

While inhaling steam has an array of benefits, doing it the wrong way can also result in airway irritation or burns on the skin. Considering this, Dr Kumbar suggested the right and safe way one should perform steam therapy for best results:

Also Read: How Much ‘Good Fat’ Is Needed In PCOS? Dietitian Explains

• Water should actually be heated to the point of producing steam; however, it should not be boiling extensively, as hot water can cause burns.
• Keep the hot water in a bowl or basin. Sitting at a comfortable position, put your face over the bowl, maintaining a safe distance of about 8 to 12 inches. Also, do not forget to cover your head and the bowl using a towel.
• Breathe slowly and deeply through the nose for a few minutes and discontinue when the heat becomes too uncomfortable. With a short break of a few seconds, repeat the process for 10 to 15 minutes.
• You can also choose the option of using an electric steamer to avoid the risk of water spilling.

Dr Kumbar suggested that if someone cannot stand the steam and finds it too intense, then a shorter session of 5 minutes will also bring quite a lot of effects. "The most important thing is to breathe in warm and humid air and not to endure high heat. The intensity of each session should not be beyond the limit of the person's comfort. If the steam is too hot or it causes redness of the face, cough, or dizziness, the session should be stopped immediately," Dr Kumbar shared.

How Often Should One Try Steam Inhalation?

In general, it is safe for an adult to do steam inhalation two or three times per day with a few hours of rest in between the sessions. "Too frequent inhalation will not yield more benefits; instead, it can cause the nasal passages to dry or cause skin irritation," Dr Kumbar warned.

If a person suffers from chronic sinus problems or allergies, then steam inhalation is better, along with sufficient fluid intake, nasal rinses, and doctor-prescribed treatments, rather than being used alone.

Also Read: 7 Mental Health Books You Must Read Before 2025 Ends

Adding Essential Oil And Vicks

According to reports, the safest and most secure steam is the one without any additions. However, some people nevertheless prefer to make their breathing more pleasurable by adding eucalyptus oil, menthol, or Vicks to the steam.

Dr Kumbar mentioned that these additions can be attractive because of their cooling or soothing effect, but they do not have the power to heal infections or drastically relieve congestion and may even result in airway irritation. "Essential oils can cause allergic reactions, worsen asthma symptoms, and even cause reactions in the eyes. The risk of irritation and ingestion is higher in children."

If a person is fond of products with menthol, it will be more secure if they apply them on the chest or under the nose, as per the details mentioned on the product labels, instead of adding them to the steam.

A Winter Comfort

In winter, the air is generally dry, which is why our nasal passages are irritated and the symptoms of colds, viral infections, sinusitis, or allergies become aggravated. However, steam therapy enters the picture as an easy-peasy winter comfort, right at home. Here are a few key benefits that come with steam therapy, particularly in winter:

• It keeps the respiratory tract moisturised, playing an effective role in dry cold symptoms.
• It aids in loosening the thick mucus.
• It prevents the nose and throat from drying out and temporarily makes breathing easier.
• It helps with irritation caused by indoor heaters, pollution, or cold air.

Although the steam does not shorten the length of an infection, it offers very fast relief of the symptoms and can help make sleep more comfortable.

Also Read: Big Screen Prognosis: Rajesh Khanna As Anand Taught the World The Art of Choosing Happiness While Living With Cancer

Is It Safe For Children?

Speaking about whether steam therapy is safe for children, Dr Kumbar shared, "It is strongly recommended that young children, especially those under 7 or 8 years, should not be given direct steam inhalation because the risk of scalds due to hot water spills or direct exposure is very high."

For safer options, infants or toddlers can have a humidifier running in their room, be given warm baths, or be taken to a bathroom ventilated with mild steam from a hot shower.

Dr Kumbar also underlined that children above 7-8 years should only perform steam therapy under the supervision of an adult, as the risk of burns from boiling water is always present. He also emphasised not to add any additional oils or balms to the water, as their airways are more sensitive and prone to irritation.

Also Read: 7 Things to Know About Green Coffee for Weight Loss That Helped Sarfaraz Khan Drop 17 kilos in 2 Months

Risks Of Steam Inhalation

The major danger that comes along with steam inhalation is that of scalds, which can occur if hot water is spilt or if one gets too close to the bowl. However, Dr Kumbar also shared a few other risks carried by the process:

• Excessively warm steam can cause facial burns.
• Too much or extremely hot steam can also cause headaches, dizziness, and aggravation of asthma symptoms.
• If someone is excessively exposed to steam, the nasal lining may dry, which can cause even more severe congestion.
• Essential oils that individuals use may provoke allergic reactions, coughing, or eye irritation.
• People with chronic respiratory diseases, heart conditions, or severe sinus infections should consult a doctor before regularly using steam therapy.

Bottomline

Steam inhalation is not a treatment but an effective home-based method that works as a great support in managing the symptoms of cold and other winter-related health problems. Many also suggest that it makes the skin glow and opens airways, but these benefits are still a topic of discussion.