A steamer or a vaporiser is used to treat problems related to the throat, such as sore throat, cough, running nose, blocked nose, etc. Further, a steamer is also used for intense skin cleaning and provides relief from nasal congestion.

In this article, we will talk about how to use a steamer for cough and cold treatment.

Steamers are medical devices that offer relief from several respiratory problems, such as common cold, blocked nose, etc. These devices use water vapour that the patient inhales. This helps soften the mucus in the lungs, throat and nasal passages.

Nevertheless, no evidence suggests using steamers can lower the symptoms of nasal congestion. Hence, people with symptoms of nasal congestion should only use the treatment and medication their doctors recommend.

The primary benefit of a steamer is that the moist and warm steam helps ease swollen blood vessels and irritation in nasal passages. The warm steam also loosens the mucus and cleans the nasal passage.

Furthermore, using a steamer for cough and cold treatment helps alleviate:

• Headache
• Common cold
• Allergies
• Sinusitis
• Asthma
• Stuffy nose
• Irritation in the throat
• Breathing problems due to airway congestion
• Irritated or dry nasal passages

A steamer works on the principle of inhalation of water vapour. The moist and warm water vapour enters the nasal passage of a patient, thins the mucus and clears the airway. Though a steamer might not be the complete treatment for cough and cold; however, it does provide temporary relief and help patients breathe normally for some time.

You can use a steamer by following these steps:

Step 1: A vaporiser container has markings that indicate the optimal water level. Make sure that the container is properly cleaned and fill it up till the markings with clean water. After filling it with water, put the lid on and allow the water to heat up.

Step 2: You can add some additional relievers to the water only if your medical professional has advised you to do so. Further, you can also choose to rub the ointment in your nose and forehead and then inhale the steam.

Step 3: After assembling the steamer, place a towel on the back of your head and neck. Following this, plug in the vaporiser and switch it on.

Step 4: After turning on the device, wait for the water to boil and convert it into steam. Generally, it takes a few minutes for the whole vapourisation process. Medical professionals recommend steam inhalation for ten to fifteen minutes twice or thrice a day.

Step 5: Make sure to keep a distance of seven to eight centimetres from the steamer’s mouthpiece to avoid burning. Inhale warm steam from a proper distance for as long as prescribed by your doctor.

Step 6: After completion, let the water in the container cool down before throwing it away. Then, clean the container with soap and water and make sure it is totally dry before the next use.