THERAPEUTIC STEAM INHALATION

Cough, especially croupy cough, and croup are troublesome signs of irritation of the respiratory tract - larynx, trachea and bronchi - that most often accompany viral infections and the drainage associated with sinusitis.

"Stuffy" or "runny" nose and sinusitis are also problems for which steam inhalation is recommended.

The inhalation of steam for 3-5 minutes several times a day helps to soothe the mucous membranes of the nose and airways and usually results in less nasal discharge, less post-nasal drainage, less coughing and more effective coughing when coughing is required to clear the airways and it promotes drainage of sinuses. The best methods of using steam inhalation are:

[1] Have the patient sit or lie in the bathroom that is steamy after or while running the hot shower. Don't leave small children unattended while a hot shower is running. A warm shower by the patient is equally as effective being sure to control the temperature of the water to avoid a burn.

[2] Inhalation of steam coming from a tea kettle that is sufficiently far from the patient to avoid burn is also a good way to administer this treatment. Infants and small children are best held to avoid injury. This is a very effective method of delivering steam, but be very careful with it!

Steam and cool vaporizers are less effective and this equipment is hard to keep clean and free of microbes such as molds.

In the case of croup, steam inhalation, followed by inhalation of cool (outside) air for 2-3 minutes, often results in marked improvement.

Since cough is often worse at night steam treatments in the evening before bedtime may be very helpful. In the winter the air in our homes tends to be very dry and this dryness irritates and damages delicate membranes of the nose, throat and upper airway making them more vulnerable to infection. Put several water containers with a large water surface area around the house (large bowls, pots or cans work best) so that the water can evaporate and humidify the air. A teakettle on the low burner is also helpful. Don't forget to replenish the water as it evaporates!

©2002 South Valley Pediatrics
page updated April 7, 2002