Effect of Inhaling Heated Vapor on Symptoms of the Common Cold

Closing evidence to practice gaps: an end to an attack of the vapours?

“…In this case the evidence base for its broader use is sufficiently incomplete that before consigning all steam inhalation to the vapour bowl of history, there is a case for undertaking general practice research that could explore appropriate outcome measures for a safe version of the practice, that is, being in a warm, steamy bathroom. A study of steam inhalation for the common cold measured subjective symptom scores for nasal congestion, nasal drainage, and sneezing, and objective measures of nasal resistance, 13 but not any overall measure of patient wellbeing. The Cochrane review on bronchiolitis and steam inhalation found only one study (156 children) met the criteria for analysis, and concluded that there was '... insufficient evidence to inform practice regarding using steam inhalation or mist therapy for acute bronchiolitis'.…”

Steam inhalation in respiratory illnesses — full steam ahead or full stop? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…A Medline (through Pubmed) search updated on 25 th October 2010, using the term "steam" and Limits: Clinical trials, randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis; short-listed 8 potentially relevant publications (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8) including five relevant RCTs(2-6). Simultaneous Cochrane Library search with the term "steam" and filter "Record Title, Abstract or Keywords" yielded 4 Cochrane Reviews(9-12), 1 Cochrane review protocol (13), and 103 Clinical Trials.…”

“…Scanning reference lists of included publications yielded one more trial (14). Thus a total of six trials were relevant to this review; five evaluated steam in adults with common cold (2,3,5,6,14); only one trial was conducted in children (with pneumonia or bronchiolitis)(4). This trial lacked the methodological refinements of the other trials.…”

“…One trial(2) suggested subjective improvement with steam; another(3) suggested the opposite and yet another showed no difference (5). Metaanalysis did not show benefit (RR for nonimprovement=1.78; 95%CI 0.01-226.51).…”

Alternative Therapy for Colds

“…14 Reported cases of hypernatremic dehydration, however, highlight the dangers of using chicken soup or other clear broth in treating acute diarrhea-associated illness, particularly in infants and young children. 15 Many alternative health care practitioners may recommend the use of homeopathic remedies or, as herbal remedies, echinnacea, golden seal, or cat's claw. The "literature," unfortunately, is scant, with poorly designed studies often using multiple-ingredient therapies.…”