SCHOOL OF NURSING SCIENCE AND RESEARCH,

SHARDA UNIVERSITY
STEAM INHALATION
(TRADITIONAL HYDROTHERAPY)

MS. SONIA CHONGTHAM

ASST.PROFESSOR
 INTRODUCTION
Steam inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to soothe and open

the nasal passages and get relief from the symptoms of a cold or sinus infection.

Also called steam therapy, it involves the inhalation of water vapor. ... This may

relieve symptoms of inflamed, swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages.

DEFINITION
◦ Inhalation of warm, moist air into the mucous membranes and respiratory tract.
 PURPOSE

1. Relieves inflammation and congestion of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory
tract.
2. Relieves irritation (throat tickle) by moistening the air.
3. Loosens secretions and stimulates expectoration.
4. Relieves spasmodic breathing.
5. Relaxes muscles and thus relieves coughing.
6. Prevents excessive dryness of the mucous membranes.
ARTICLES NEEDED
 LIST OF ARTICLES
S.NO ARTICLES PURPOSE

1. Boiling water in a kettle with spout or jug or basin To take steam

2. Hot plate of gas stove or local stove using charcoal. To boil water

3. Vicks Vapor rub ointment or tincture Benzoin or Camphor oil To release secretion
for good smelling sensation.

4. Old newspaper To make roll and inhale steam

5. Sheets/Towel (Large size). To cover the head

6. Umbrella (If the patient is not able to get out of the bed) To make steam tent.
PROCEDURE
 PROCEDURE
S.NO ACTION RATIONALE

1. Fill kettle with water just below the level of the spout, and bring the water to boiling point. To prevent from spill

2. Add 1 tsp of medication (Vicks or Benzoin) into the boiling water. To lose the respiratory secretion

3. Carry the stove and kettle with caution near the bedside of the patient, if the patient is unable to stand or To prevent from burn
sit on the chair.

4. If croup tent is indicated, open an umbrella over the head of the patient and cover it with a sheet to form To provide maximum amount of steam
a tent.
5. To inhale the steam
With the newspaper make a cylindrical tube direct to the steam into the tent away from the patient’s
face.

6. If the patient is able to sit on the chair, he may sit near the stove in the kitchen. With the cylindrical tube To inhale the steam comfortably
of paper the steam is directed into the patient’s face for inhalation.

7. Treatment time: 30 minutes to one hour, morning and evening, as tolerated. To give maximum steam inhalation treatment inorder to
release the secretion.
 PRECAUTIONS

1. Avoid all risks of burning.

2. Avoid drafts during time of treatment. Close windows near the patient.

3. Extra care must be observed when giving treatment to children and restless patients to avoid

scalding.
 AFTER CARE

Wash, dry and replace the articles

Discard the sputum in flush in a sewered areas.

If in a village or unsewered areas, discard it by digging a pit in earth away from home.

Wash the container with soap and hot water.

Wash your hands.

Record and report the important finding after the procedure.

 REFERENCE
1. Kaur Baljit.(2008).Community Health Nursing Procedure.New Delhi:Jaypee Publishers, Pp:35-38
22/10/2018 SNS&R (TOOL PRESENTATION)