Steam inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to soothe and open the nasal passages and get relief from the symptoms of a cold or sinus infection.
Nasal congestion, also called a stuffy nose, is often a symptom of another health problem such as a sinus infection. It may also be caused by the common cold.
Nasal congestion is marked by:
- a stuffy or runny nose
- sinus pain
- mucus buildup
- swollen nasal tissue
Home remedies may be enough to alleviate nasal congestion, particularly if it’s caused by the common cold. However, if you experience long-term congestion, you may need medical treatment.
Congestion is when your nose becomes stuffed up and inflamed. Minor illnesses are the most common causes of nasal congestion. For instance, a cold, the flu, and sinus infections can all cause stuffy noses. Illness-related congestion usually improves within 1-2 weeks.
If it lasts longer than 10-14 days, it’s often a symptom of an underlying health issue. Some explanations for long-term nasal congestion may be:
- allergies
- hay fever
- noncancerous growths, called nasal polyps, or benign tumors in the nasal passages
- sinonasal tumors, though this is rare
- chemical exposures
- environmental irritants
- a long-lasting sinus infection, known as chronic sinusitis
- anatomic variants, such as a deviated septum, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, or concha bullosa
- enlarged adenoids
- gastroesophageal reflux disease, especially in infants
Nasal congestion may also occu during pregnancy, usually during the end of the first trimester. Hormonal fluctuations and increased blood supply that occur during pregnancy may cause this nasal congestion.
These changes may affect the nasal membranes, causing them to become inflamed, dry, or to bleed. Nasal congestion is a common issue in children and infants.
Steam inhalation
Also called steam therapy, it involves the inhalation of water vapor. The warm, moist air is thought to work by loosening the mucus in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. This may relieve symptoms of inflamed, swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages.
While inhalation won’t cure an infection, like a cold or the flu, it may help make you feel a lot better while your body fights it off.
A stuffy nose is triggered by inflammation in the blood vessels of the sinuses. The blood vessels can become irritated because of an accute upper respiratory infection such as a cold or a sinus infection.
The main benefit of breathing in moist, warm steam is that may help ease feelings of irritation and swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages. The moisture may also help thin the mucus in your sinuses, which allows them to empty more easily. This can allow your breathing to return to normal, at least for a short period of time.
It may provide some temporary relief from the symptoms of:
- the common cold
- the flu (influenza)
- sinus infections
- bronchitis
- nasal allergies
Steam inhalation doesn’t actually kill the virus responsible for the infection. At best, steam inhalation might make you feel a little better as your body fights your cold.
Sometimes, home remedies aren’t enough to relieve congestion, particularly if your symptoms are caused by another health condition. So steam inhalation is the only option.
In this case, medical treatment may be needed, especially if your condition is painful and interfering with your everyday activities.
If you’ve experienced any of the following, see a doctor right away:
- congestion lasting longer than 2 weeks
- congestion accompanied by a high fever lasting more than 3 days
- green nasal discharge along with sinus pain and fever
- a weakened immune system, asthma, or emphysema
You should also see a doctor right away if you’ve had a recent head injury and are now having bloody nasal discharge or a constant flow of clear discharge.
