Steam inhalation involves breathing in steam from a vessel containing hot water. It is traditionally used for colds, nasal congestion, and blocked noses.
In summary: Research does not clearly show that steam shortens colds or alleviates their symptoms. The risks are well documented: burns from boiling water, often due to tipping over the vessel, can occur in adults as well. The NHS advises against children inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water. You should see a doctor if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, a high fever lasting more than 3 days, or if you have been burned.
Background
Cochrane review authors state that people have long inhaled warm, humidified air for colds. The rationale has been twofold: steam is thought to help mucus drainage, and heat is believed to kill the cold virus, similar to what happens in laboratory conditions. Doctors from UK burn units describe inhalation as a common practice in homes, used by both adults and children.
What We Know
Label: Poor evidence. There are few studies, they are small, and they yield conflicting results, with Cochrane assessing the quality of evidence as low. The lack of certain benefits is contrasted with documented burn risks, which is why burn centers and the NHS do not recommend this method for children.
What Studies Say
- Cochrane review from 2017 (Singh et al.) included 6 studies with 387 participants. It is unclear whether warm, humidified air alleviates cold symptoms: results depended on the calculation method. One study found no difference in the amount of virus in the nose. Some participants reported minor discomfort, such as nasal irritation. The studies used a special device rather than a bowl of water.
- Study involving 871 adults from the UK (Little et al., CMAJ 2016) with chronic or recurrent sinus issues compared several treatment methods. Daily steam inhalation reduced headaches but did not significantly change other outcomes. The authors concluded that recommending inhalation in such cases was ineffective.
- Swansea, Wales (Al Himdani et al., 2016): from 2010 to 2015, 16 children were treated for burns from inhalation, averaging 7.4 years old. The most common reason for inhalation was a cold. The authors state that there is no evidence supporting the practice, and children are at risk for serious burns, thus it should no longer be recommended.
- London (Scarborough et al., 2021): from 2018 to 2019, 19 individuals aged from 2 weeks to 91 years were treated for burns from inhalation. Most (84%) had burns on the lower body, and 6 required surgery. In all 17 cases with an open vessel, burns occurred after it was tipped over. In England and Wales, 201 such cases were recorded during the same period.
- Newcastle (Dearden et al., 2022): from 2015 to 2020, twelve adults required hospital treatment for burns from inhalation, averaging 8 nights. Permanent effects include scars, skin hypersensitivity, pain, and psychological issues.
- Sydney, Australia (Sheikh et al., 2026): from 2010 to 2024, Westmead Children's Hospital treated 308 children for burns from inhalations. Most were under 5 years old. Skin grafts were needed for 23.1%, and hypertrophic scars appeared in 18.8%. The hands, especially the palms, were most commonly burned.
Safety
The main risk is burns from hot water after tipping over the vessel, most often affecting the lower body. Children should not inhale steam from a bowl of hot water.
Risks
- Burns from boiling water, sometimes requiring surgery and skin grafts, with scars lasting for years.
- Burns can occur at any age. In the London study, the youngest patient was 2 weeks old, and the oldest was 91 years old.
- Minor discomforts reported in studies: discomfort and nasal irritation.
- As a milder alternative for a blocked nose, the NHS suggests sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running.
Who Should Not
- Children. The NHS recommends not allowing them to inhale steam from a bowl of hot water due to the risk of burns. Doctors from the Swansea center note that children have less control over their movements, are curious, and poorly recognize danger.
Drug Interactions
- Sources do not describe interactions of steam itself with medications. If you wish to add something to the water or are taking cold medications, it is best to consult a pharmacist.
When to See a Doctor
- High fever lasting more than 3 days or very high, with chills.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain occurs.
- Cold symptoms worsen or do not resolve after 10 days, and cough lasts more than 3 weeks.
- Cold in a person with a chronic illness (e.g., diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease) or with a weakened immune system, such as during chemotherapy.
- Concerning symptoms in a child.
- After a burn: the NHS advises calling an ambulance or going to the emergency room if the burn is very large or deep or involves the face, genitals, or buttocks. If unsure about a smaller burn, especially in a child, seek advice.
Sources
| Source | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heated, humidified air for the common cold (Singh et al.) | Cochrane | Systematic review, 2017 |
| Common cold | NHS | Official, verified 24.10.2026 |
| Burns and scalds | NHS | Official, verified 24.10.2026 |
| Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care (Little et al.) | CMAJ | Randomized study, 2016 |
| Home remedy or hazard? Paediatric steam inhalation therapy burn injuries (Al Himdani et al.) | British Journal of General Practice | Retrospective study, 2016 |
| Steam inhalation: More harm than good? Perspective from a UK burns centre (Scarborough et al.) | Burns | Retrospective study, 2021 |
| Severe scalds sustained during steam inhalation therapy in an adult population (Dearden et al.) | JPRAS Open | Retrospective study, 2022 |
| Upper respiratory tract infections and scald burns: Risks and insights on home remedies (Sheikh et al.) | Burns | Retrospective study, 2026 |
Compiled by the information.com editorial team based on sources. Status as of October 24, 2026. This is not medical advice.