Common "Steam Inhalation" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Steam Inhalation

Inhalation of water vapor from boiling water is called steam inhalation. Steam inhalation is the most commonly used natural remedy for a blocked nose and other symptoms caused by a cold or sinus infection. It does not cure the infection but provides temporary relief from symptoms like stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, cough, and dry nasal tract.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

Why my 1.1 years old baby often gets cold and cough?

Query: Hi doctor, My daughter is 1.1 years old and she weights around 18.7 lbs. For the last couple of months she gets cold and cough for every 10 days. We are not using any medication. Let us know if we have to get her tested. Is this is really a concern. Apart from this, she is very active and has no oth...  Read Full »


Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. 1. This is common in children in this age group. 2. Due to the seasonal variation, children of this age group are prone to get upper respiratory infections especially children who are bottle fed. 3. You should only be worried if your child develops fever persistentl...  Read Full »

I feel my nose is partially obstructed. What can be done?

Query: Hello doctor, My nose feels partially obstructed, and my head feels swollen. What to do? Please help.  Read Full »


Dr. Divakara. P

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Nasal obstruction most commonly occurs due to nasal congestion secondary to allergy or infection. But sometimes it could be due to Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS), which requires examination or x-ray of PNS for confirmation. Most likely in your case, it is nasal congestion wi...  Read Full »

I am experiencing ongoing nasal discomfort. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, I have been experiencing nasal discomfort for a lot of days. My problem is two fold. I sometimes have a congested nose due to thick mucus and sometimes my nose goes dry when I am in an area with air conditioner and then feels like something is stuck in my nose. When I try to breathe hard ...  Read Full »


Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is likely an allergic rhinitis. Dryness is likely due to air conditioning. You should identify the trigger other than air conditioner like exposure to dust, vehicle pollutants or maybe some other trigger, and try to eliminate the exposure. It is advisable that y...  Read Full »

I have severe nasal congestion. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 22 year old girl. I have severe nasal congestion from a suspected cold or sinus infection (I have not been to the doctor yet). When Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed tablets) was not working, the pharmacist suggested to try Otrivin Plus nasal spray. Both give slight relief but I forgot t...  Read Full »


Dr. Shyam Kalyan. N

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. With the details provided, I understand that you are a 22 year old female suffering from cold or sinus infection causing nasal blockage. Currently you are taking Sudafed tablets and Otrivin plus nasal spray. Presuming that the Sudafed tablets you use contains only Pseu...  Read Full »

I have a dust allergy that causes sneezing. Please help.

Query: Hi, I sneeze a lot due to dust allergy. And the allergy then leads to cold. What is the best solution for curing my sneezing and cold?  Read Full »


Dr. Rohit Jain

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Take tablet Allermed- M once in night to reduce the effect of dust allergy.  You can also go for intermittent nebulization.  Also, go for steam inhalation with Karvol plus once in night to clear the nasal tract. This will help. If the problem persists, consult an ENT o...  Read Full »

I am suffering from nasal congestion. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 20-year-old male. I have had nasal congestion for the past three weeks, which is not getting cured. I was also suffering from nausea and increased bowel movements. The nausea is cured, but I feel sick inside. Is it anything serious? In my CBC reports, the neutrophils are 44 %, ...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have not mentioned the medication that you are taking. According to your CBC report, you have high lymphocytes count. It is suggestive of a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, I suggest you do the following investigations. Rhinoscopy nose e...  Read Full »

How to treat fever and cough coming along with green sputum?

Query: Hello doctor, I have pain all over my body. Last night, I had chills with chest congestion and green sputum. The physician gave me Avelox and Medrol dose packs. Would that be fine?  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your doctor has given you the medicines of my choice. I would prefer to add an anti-allergic like Levocetirizine once daily for five days and, for fever, I suggest Paracetamol. I am sure your fever will go away in three to five days. But, your cough may take time. ...  Read Full »

I have chronic sinusitis. Please suggest.

Query: Hello doctor, I have had a sinus infection for over eight weeks now. After trying to get rid of it using Neti pot and Flonase, I started taking antibiotics. I had my sinuses scraped about four years ago due to a recurrent sinus infection. I went to a dentist because of a broken tooth, that was causi...  Read Full »


Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. So you have two issues, one is your sinusitis, and the other is diarrhea. Gastritis is probably antibiotic associated, so you need to discuss with your doctor and change the antibiotics that are causing your diarrhea. I would suggest the following for your gastric pro...  Read Full »

My voice is so hoarse I can barely speak. What to do?

Query: Hello doctor, Good day to you. I had post-nasal drip all last week. Yesterday, it was going away, but today I woke up, and my voice was almost gone. I can barely speak. My throat does not hurt. It just feels a little scratchy, with the constant clearing of the throat, too, and I have developed a cou...  Read Full »


Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You seem to have a typical case of laryngitis associated with a viral infection. You should rest the voice, that is, speak less until you feel like the symptoms are resolving. Avoid throat clearing as it irritates the throat further and hinders healing. Steam inhala...  Read Full »

I have serious sleep paralysis with shortness of breath. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I am having serious sleep paralysis. In it I feel like I can move my muscle a bit like slightly moving my finger or speaking short words like "maa". But I think I am hallucinating that too. Plus I am having acute bronchitis in this case and have to breathe through the mouth. So I have...  Read Full »


Dr. Sunil Sekhri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As far as your bronchitis is concerned, I advise my patients to avoid smoking and take steam inhalation twice a day. I also advise syrup Phensedyl BR (Ambroxol and Guaifenesin) 2.5 ml twice a day for five days and tablet Allegra M one tablet at night for five days. I...  Read Full »

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