Inhaling in the event of a cold and cough: what you have to pay attention to with salt water and oils

Inhaling in the event of colds should alleviate cough and runny nose. The water vapor moistens the irritated mucous membranes. You can find out here when table salt makes sense and what you have to consider in essential oils.

Whether cough, runny nose or clogged airways: to inhale a cold, a popular way to relieve symptoms. Inhalation is said to alleviate cold symptoms, headaches, sinusitis or allergies. However, scientific evidence is missing.

Nevertheless, it can be helpful to inhale water vapor and use essential oils if necessary.

Inhaling in the event of a cold: does that even work?

Inhaling in the event of colds is a popular home remedy to clear the airways again. According to ZDF Expert, the water vapor is suitable: inside, however, only for the sinuses and upper respiratory tract. The water vapor does not reach stuck mucus in the bronchi, which is difficult to cough up. Here, an isotone or hypertone saline with a special device, a so -called inhalator, is recommended. Hypertone solutions – i.e. with more than 0.9 percent sodium chloride – you should only use after a medical consultation.

However, it has not been scientifically proven that cold symptoms such as cough and a blocked nose have been shown to improve (or worsen). So it is a subjectively perceived relief of the symptoms.

But even if it is only a placebo effect-inhale this always does. Therefore, you can try it out at home as follows.

Inhaling with water vapor: step-by-step instructions

Follow the following steps to inhale water vapor for a cold with a cold:

1. Cook 500 milliliters of water in the kettle and put it in a heat -resistant bowl or a pot.
2. Bend your head over the water and breathe in the steam calmly and deeply – alternately through the mouth and nose. If the water vapor is too hot, wait a few more minutes.
3. To strengthen the intensity, you can hang a towel over the head and container. Wait a few minutes here if it is too hot.

You can inhale several times a day in a cold. How long or often is up to you, a general recommendation is ten to twenty minutes per session.

Safety instructions: Then caution is advised

If you want to inhale with a cold, then according to ZDF you have to note some notes to ensure security and health:

• Make sure that the container is firmly on the table and that the towel only lies slightly. If the container falls over, severe burns can quickly occur.

• Children should only inhale under supervision, the risk of scalding is particularly great for them. There are special inhalation containers with nose attachment that are more suitable for children.

• After inhaling, you should avoid drafts and do not go outside at first. Rest instead and keep you warm.
• If you suffer from an inflammatory skin disease, eye disease or circulatory problems, you should not inhale. Inhalation can make your symptoms worse.
• At asthma you also have to discuss a doctor beforehand whether and how you can inhale.

Inhaling in the event of a cold and cough: salt or essential oils?

Eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, pine oil – many vegetable means should help with a cold and are often used to inhale. However, the essential oils can irritate their eyes. You can also cause a hypersensitivity of the bronchi or a laryngospasm (vocal spasm) that can lead to shortness of breath at asthma patient: inside and (small) children. Therefore, you should better rely on herbs such as chamomile.

By the way: You can also inhale with chamomile tea. Simply prepare a strong tea and inhale it as described above.

Salt salt solutions are also recommended for inhale when the cold is inhaled, but they do not work via water vapor: water vapor does not transport the salt particles with it, since salt has a significantly higher boiling point than water. The salt remains in a dissolved shape in the water or dries out again as an integral part.

Inhale in the event of a cold: with saline solution and nebulizer

In order to benefit from the saline solution, you can use a special nebulizer to inhale when the cold is cold. With these devices, the inhalation fluid is not heated and thereby evaporated, but atomizes. This creates a fine fog made of smallest particles, also called aerosols. In contrast to water vapor, these also reach deeper areas like the bronchi.

You should exclusively fill the sübler with the sterile saline solution (NaCl, 0.9%) provided. With the device you can easily inhale with colds and sit upright. You will receive inhalation devices and the appropriate saline solution in a pharmacy.

Read more on utopia.de:

• Prevent the cold: this is how you stay healthy
• Home remedies for cough: The best tips
• Cistustee: Effect and application of the healing tea made of cistern rose

English version Available: Steam inhalation for Colds and Coughs

Revised by Lina Brammertz

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