title: Effect of inhaling heated vapor on symptoms of the common cold.
abstract: A double-blind, randomized study tested the efficacy of steam (technically, heated, humidified air) inhalation in the treatment of common cold symptoms. Two 20-minute treatments spaced 60 to 90 minutes apart were given at the time of enrollment. The active device (Rhinotherm, Netzer-Sereni, Beer Yaacov, Israel) delivered 40 L/min of saturated air at 40 degrees C to 42 degrees C, while the identical-appearing placebo delivered 2 L/min of ambient air at 20 degrees C to 24 degrees C. There were 34 patients in the placebo group and 32 in the active group. Significant improvements in the placebo-treated group were obtained on subjective symptom scores for nasal congestion, nasal drainage, and sneezing on isolated days during the treatment period (40%, vs 25% on day 3, 71% vs 60% on day 6, and 100% vs 67% on day 7). Improvement in nasal resistance as measured by rhinomanography was better in the placebo group than in the active group on day 7 (11% vs -6%). Our study demonstrated no beneficial effects of steam inhalation on common cold symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195-5045.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Macknin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Medendorp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance; D003139:Common Cold / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011897:Random Allocation