Is steam good for my asthma

I have had asthma all of my life and I am still learning . there is a question which I hope somebody could help me with . is steam and oils for breathing can it help or can it make my asthma it worse

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, it seems to depend on the person! I would definitely be careful with both as quite a few people do find that steam and humidity as well as many essential oils can be a big trigger. I am very wary about this as steam definitely triggers me - I had an argument once with an annoying GP who was refusing to believe I was having asthma problems, insisted it was just a cold and then got cross with me when I said I couldn't inhale with steam (apparently it was my 'claustrophobia' stopping me. I don't have any problems with claustrophobia.). I ended up in hospital a few days later with a fairly bad attack but that was more because she was refusing to do anything - I definitely didn't actually do any inhalations beyond a lot of Ventolin!

Many scents are a massive trigger for me, especially lavender, rose and other flowery scents. I am ok with citrus and if I venture to a spa (always chancy for me given the steam plus scent issue) I will ask for citrus oils.

I would say you may be ok with some but I don't know if there is any research to suggest that oils can be actively helpful even if they don't trigger you. The steam inhalation might help some people especially if they have mucus I guess but although I think it's seen as a classic thing to help breathing, I don't know if it does much for asthma.

[ickihun in reply to Lysistrata]

I'm more congested when the clothes are drying through the night. So combined with lying down with that congestion I have to be very vigilant in taking my inhalers before bed.

Congestion is my biggest problem and only the asthma inhalers relieve it. Lots of bedding as privately rented bungalow has bad windows. Other half won't move due to mental health.

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Have you tried inhaling salt? It helps me, I'm 64 and have been asthmatic all of my life (allergy triggered).

[Dpotter]

I find steam helps me enormously, especially to bring up the mucus which I suffer with quite badly. Find steam rooms with eucalyptus oil especially good or even just running a hot shower. Though as others have said it's really horses for courses and it can make some people worse. May be worth trying a gentle steam over a bowl of hot water to see how it feels for you - though have your reliever on hand in case it's not for you!

[ickihun]

Can long term use of Olbas oil bring on asthma? As it didn't help with congestion last winter even thou it used to. Nothing worked until I was started on asthma inhalers. A much more less choking congestion this year compared to no inhalers or diagnosis last winter.

Is congestion the only cause of restricted breath in asthma?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I used to be fine with Olbas oil/eucalyptus including when I was younger and had asthma. Now it sets off my asthma along with other oils!

When you say congestion, do you mean in the nose or lungs? Asthma isn't about nasal congestion though it doesn't help to add it! It's narrowing more in the lower airways, from the muscles round the outside of the airways squeezing them, but you also get inflammation inside the airways and mucus building up inside them - I suppose you could say the mucus is congestion?