When you have a cold, steam therapy is often recommended by friends or family members as a natural remedy. Medically, steam therapy can help ease a sore throat, break up mucus, and relieve congestion.

However, the use of steam therapy may have dangers that are underreported or overlooked.

1. Burns

Steam can be extremely hot and can scald your skin if you’re not careful. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that babies and young children are especially vulnerable to steam burns.

Inhaling steam directly from a pot of boiling water is also dangerous and can result in respiratory burns.

2. Eye Injuries

Hot steam can also cause eye injuries. Anyone who has received a facial steam knows how careful you need to be not to get too close to the steam.

If you’re too close, the steam can cause steam burns or even cause you to accidentally touch the hot device or pot. If you are steaming your face and have your eyes open, hot vapor can also damage the eyes.

3. Dehydration

Steam therapy can cause dehydration. When you inhale steam, you are causing your body to sweat. This forces the body to remove water from your system, leaving you dehydrated. You should balance steam therapy with drinking more water to prevent dehydration.

4. Productivity Loss

The heat and moisture involved in steam therapy can make you feel heavy and drowsy. If not done carefully, steam treatment can make the colds worse, so that it affects your productivity.

It can reduce your work time, lead to incomplete work and also negatively influence the quality of your work.

5. Infections

Unsanitary equipment or humidifiers that are not properly cleaned can become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi that can cause respiratory infections and aggravate the common cold symptoms.

The humid environment created by steam can also promote the growth of mold or mildew. So, make sure that everything you’re going to use is completely clean before you start the steam therapy.

6. Asthma

Steam can aggravate the symptoms of asthma. It can cause bronchospasm which can cause breathing difficulties and asthma attacks.

Steam therapy, if used properly, may be an excellent tool for those without asthma but can cause severe breathing problems for the people with asthma or allergies.

7. Cardiovascular Issues

Extreme heat can raise your heart rate and cause cardiovascular stress. This can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure or heart problems.

8. Nasal Injury

Steam can dry out the nasal passages. This can cause them to become inflamed and irritated, making it harder for air to pass through. Sometimes, the hot steam can also cause nasal fractures that may need proper medical attention.

9. Medications and Sensitive Skin

Steam therapy with medications can be dangerous, especially for sensitive skin and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are not sure, consult with a doctor or healthe care expert before using any new remedies or medications.

10. Maneuvering

When you steam, you need to maneuver into the right position so that you can inhale the steam. If maneuvered improperly, it could lead to further problems, if you hurt yourself by unintentionally tipping or burning the steam-made instrument.

Conclusion

Steam therapy is a natural remedy that may help ease cold and flu symptoms. However, it is essential to use it wisely and carefully.

The steam can be extremely hot and could cause burns, eye injuries, dehydration, affect asthma patients, heart problems in some, and allow for infections to fester. Therefore, seeking medical advice is essential to avoid exacerbating the symptoms.