I visited a salt cave today and had a bad experience! I have mild asthma and decided to go with a friend who has been going to the salt cave for a few months because of psoriasis. I felt very relaxed for the first half hour but then I started to develop a bad headache. After 45 minutes I started to have difficulty breathing and my chest felt tight and heavy. I couldn't wait to go out of the room! Then my breathing got worse and I have now used my inhaler throughout the evening. I really don't feel so good and am still quite breathless. Anyone else had a similar experience? I'm definitely not going back, that's for sure!
Salt cave: I visited a salt cave today... - Asthma Community ...
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29 Replies
•
Hi I have heard that salt caves can help some but not others. I have never been to one. I hope you are feeling less breathless now but don't be afraid to get help if you need to. Take care. x
• in reply to
Thank you for your kind reply. Feel a bit better this morning but I certainly won't be going back!
Superzob• in reply to
There was a similar post a few months back with the same salt cave problem,though others seem to swear by them. I have a salt inhaler which I have used a few times, though I don't notice any difference (they say you need to take for a long time to get any benefit, but how long is long?!). I have had 4 illnesses over Xmas and New Year, so stopped using it and don't feel any different now I've recovered. Salt mines and inhalers just might not be for us!
• in reply toSuperzob
Thanks for reply. Definately not for me. Wouldn't risk it gain. There are not enough clinical studies done on this either. Sounds like you had a bad time over Christmas and New Year. I just don't understand why a salt inhaler would really improve things and I have studied a lot about it, but... others may disagree. Hope you stay well.
Superzob• in reply to
Might have something to do with the belief that sea air is good for you and that obviously contains a salt aerosol. But from my experience of a windswept beach in Denmark on Xmas day, you can keep it!
I have never heard of a salt inhalter although when in hospital I have had saline nebulizers which is basically the same but I didn't know that you got them in inhalers.
We learn new things all the time
Take care
Loraine x
You can get them by mail order, but this is not something that the medical profession would recommend as I doubt it has any proven value but, as I have had difficulty finding a prescribed inhaler which didn't give me unpleasant side effects, thought I would give the salt one a try - can't say it's made any real difference, though.
Thank you I was just surprised that I hadidn't not heard of them before as i have had asthma since i was 4years old and been through most inhalers,
It similar to saline solution for my nebulizers that is just salt water.
Thank you for answering
Take care
Loraine x
Be careful what you purchase online.. our inhalers are medical devices and fully certified with clinical evidence. We are the only company in the UK that does have.
simssaltpipes.co.uk for more information, we also update our blog regularly with information we think customers need to be aware of concerning this type of medical device.
loraine 121
Salt inhalers and saline nebulisers are not the same..
Yes they both contain salt, dry salt inhalation is far better for the respiratory system as damp air cannot get to all parts of the lungs, where as dry salt can.. Salt therapy is also far more effective than sea air.. Seas around the world are now badly polluted with sewage, chemicals etc..
RCappers• in reply to
Whatever you do, do NOT buy a pipe from Sims Saltpipes. I had safety concerns about a pipe I ordered from them. The pipe was low quality, with clay chipping off on the inside of the pipe, so bits of it would be breathed in if used. So far for credible certification. Contacted them. They agreed to issue a refund if I sent back the pipe. I sent it back, paid for postage myself. They acknowledged receipt of the pipe, said the refund would follow shortly. The money never came. I contacted them numerous times. They either did not reply or (when pressed on the phone) said now was not a good time, that they had financial difficulties, that the refund would follow. The refund never came. They are liars and thieves and do not genuinely care about our health. Do no trust them; all they are in for is a quick buck, taking advantage of those in need of help.
I don't know anything at all about salt caves ,I'm afraid ,or salt lamps and their benefits ,,,,if in doubt avoid that's my motto ,
• in reply toNanny1086
Just won't be doing that again. Very unpleasant.
Hi , I'm glad I read your post it have been going to go to one for a while but I'm now on oxygen 24/7 so that has stopped me also getting someone to take me, this has put me off going.
I did get a salt lamp for Christmas and over the past few weeks I have slept a bit better but I have still been wheezy and needed my nebulizer ,
Good luck hope you keep well as you can.
Loraine x
• in reply toLoraine121
Hi Loraine,
This is just my experience of course and others may have had a really good experience with a salt cave. It is really quite expensive too! Perhaps your doctor would advise you further? Hope things improve for you. x
Loraine121• in reply to
I have seen them on special prices through Groupon and wowcher but I also need someone to take me as well and I have fybromyalgia so it getting a fairly pain free day and my breathing to be fairly good also i dont think I would be able to get in now with being on oxygen but I have heard that it helps some people but we are all different what works for one does not always work for another, it's the same with the fybromyalgia some poeple take one tablet others take loads it depends on how severe each case is .
All the best take care
Loraine x
• in reply toLoraine121
Hi Loraine, My asthma is very mild compared to what you are experiencing. I do feel for you. I also have fibromyalgia whch is a pain in every sense! With me it varies and some days are worse than others.
I am too much of a sceptic now about a salt cave. ( I certainly will not be going back!) Have you discussed it with your doctor? I do hope you improve. x
Loraine121• in reply to
I have only thought about it when I saw it on special offer, now with the oxygen and getting there i don't think I will be going anyway.
Thank you take care
Loraine x
Loraine121• in reply to
Hi xchristelx, I am sorry to hear that you too have fibro , it is a horrible illness and varies from day to day and person to person it the same with medication what works for one does not always work for another, have you been on the fybromyalgia forum it's really good and a lot of nice people who are going through similar problem , as you know with fibro there are so many secondary illnesses that come along with it as well,
Take care and hopefully a pain free as possible sleep
Loraine x
• in reply toLoraine121
Hi Loraine, I haven't been on any fibro forum but will have a look at that - thanks. On meds for arthritis too but that's really helping me. Only had 2 really scary asthma attacks as mine is still quite mild thankfully. It's good to chat with folks who have similar problems so will definately look at fibro forum. Hope you have a good day and things might improve for you. Take care x
Loraine121• in reply to
You will like the fibro forum , they are all light hearted and they are all at different levels of pain and symptoms of fibro,
We have a laugh also the doctor have someone to help you about benefits and other things if you need them really good bunch of people from all over the world.
Have a good day
Loraine x
I have one at my local spa and I can't use it. It claims to be for asthmatics and breathing problems but it makes me feel unwell. I tested my peak flow after using it and it goes down. I too avoid them now. I don't understand the logic. I live by the sea and the sea air can completely take my breath away and that's not the amazing scenery.
• in reply toJGreen42
Thanks for the reply. You won't be going back either! It's coming to light now just how many people this salt therapy doesn't agree with!! I am feeling better today after 2 days of misery following the salt cave experience!! 😃
I saw this statement on the community.aafa.org/blog/aaf... website
Patients should also know that inhaling concentrated salts (hypertonic saline) has been proven to irritate the airways, causing cough and mucus, which can make asthma worse for some people.
Thanks for this. I went on to the website and it was very interesting reading. Main points I read are as follows -
**In some countries, medical societies have warned that salt caves can have negative effects. For example, the salt cave could induce bronchoconstriction in some people.
**Patients should also know that inhaling concentrated salts (hypertonic saline) has been proven to irritate the airways, causing cough and mucus, which can make asthma worse for some people.
** Halotherapy, or sitting in a salt room, is not likely to make your asthma better. For most asthma patients, halotherapy is “likely safe.” Since you don't know how you will react, AAFA warns that it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid salt rooms.
Salt inhalers are actually class IIa (2a) medical devices and need to comply with the MDD/93/42/EEC (MEDICAL DEVICE DIRECTIVE) this includes being audited yearly, a clinical evaluation, risk assessment,technical file, material data sheets. My husband and I are medical device manufacturers and sell the only UK made and fully certified salt inhaler.. Please be aware there are an awful lot of Pakistan imports online that have no certification and can be dangerous to the user.. also avoid plastic inhalers, again these have no certification.. simssaltpipes.co.uk
salt inhalers do work.. of course they do, we have clinical evaluation to prove this.. you must use them regularly as a preventative. Using a Sims salt pipes will help break up mucus and reduce inflammation within the respiratory system. They also help keep the respiratory system clear of outside pathogens such as pollen,dust, diesel particulants, all of which aggravate the respiratory system causing inflammation. Salt caves however have no certification and cannot make medical claims. Google ASA ( advertising standards agency) salt caves.
Whatever you do, do NOT buy a pipe from Sims Saltpipes. I had safety concerns about a pipe I ordered from them. The pipe was low quality, with clay chipping off on the inside of the pipe, so bits of it would be breathed in if used. So far for credible certification. Contacted them. They agreed to issue a refund if I sent back the pipe. I sent it back, paid for postage myself. They acknowledged receipt of the pipe, said the refund would follow shortly. The money never came. I contacted them numerous times. They either did not reply or (when pressed on the phone) said now was not a good time, that they had financial difficulties, that the refund would follow. The refund never came. They are liars and thieves and do not genuinely care about our health. Do no trust them; all they are in for is a quick buck, taking advantage of those in need of help.
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