Steam inhalation therapy is one of the most common home remedies to get relief from the clogged nose and sinus pain. But, experts say that this therapy does not have a miraculous effect rather it can have serious adverse effects such as burn injuries.
It is called steam therapy because it involves the inhalation of water vapour. This warm, moist air is thought to work by loosening the mucus in the nasal passages, throat and lungs. This may help in relieving symptoms of inflamed and swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages.
This therapy may help you feel better when you have a sore throat or cold but steam inhalation won’t cure an infection. It is also important to learn the proper method of such home remedies so that you won’t hurt yourself in the process.
If you are not careful during this therapy then there is a risk of scalding yourself or even causing severe burn injuries. For this very reason, steam therapy isn’t advised for children. One study reported that the ones who received severe burns from this “steam inhalation therapy” were children.
Now, coming towards COVID-19 infection, accurate advice about COVID-19 is critical during the current pandemic because as of now, as per reports of WHO about 203 countries, areas and territories are affected by COVID-19. Due to this pandemic, social media has become a powerful tool for misinformation and regarding home remedies as well.
One such remedy was “steam inhaling therapy” which went viral for claiming to have the cure of COVID-19. However, experts believe that this therapy will not cure or treat the viral infection rather it’ll be harmful.
Researchers at the moment believe that the only way to “kill a virus” is “antimicrobial solutions” but they should NEVER be introduced or inhaled into the body in any way, it would be life-threatening.
Many people believe that Inhaling steam during nasal congestion, cough, and chest congestion is a cure for this respiratory illness. This therapy may give temporary relief, but it’s not the cure, rather it is the immune system, fighting off the infections or other invaders. So, you need to be sure to opt for safe ways to boost your immunity to fight off infections.
Our lungs are delicate and steam is very hot and it CAN damage the lungs, hence, using steam is not a good idea.
Even there is no such news of this steam inhalation therapy as a potential cure to treat COVID-19 Infection on the web pages of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Researchers are working on finding the potential cure and many clinical trials are going on as well.
Hence, as soon as possible, the cure is available for COVID-19 infection, WHO will update the world regarding this. But, before the authentic cure is to be discovered or invented, please make sure not to follow any therapy which would have a more adverse effect on you and follow the guidelines of your medical officer and Health Authority.