Nebulisers

[Chokit]

I had to visit A&E last night & was put on nzebuliser with fluid & salbutamol, the Dr said even steam can help & I wondered if anyone uses an at home nebuliser with only water..no meds...just so steam can help open airways...if so, is it ordinary tap water, or sterilised satchets or saline...advice please.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Steam might help some people but I personally find it makes my asthma worse - can't go in steam rooms or inhale steam and even humid weather sets me off. Some people including doctors do think steam is a universal help for lung conditions, but it isn't necessarily.

However, I don't have a problem with nebulised saline, which I wouldn't call steam. I can't say it does much for my asthma either personally, but some people do find it helpful if they have mucus to help loosen things. Will leave advice on that to anyone who has tried it though I imagine it would need to be sterile saline.

Sorry to hear you were in A and E, hope you're feeling better. Do you have a follow up booked with GP or asthma nurse?