Salt Therapy vs. Steam Therapy:
If your child is unwell, especially if they are having trouble breathing, you will want to help them in any way you can. Our experienced team at WonderCare can help you to find the best solutions for your family, and we will only ever recommend products we would use with our own families.
Many parents love steam therapy and salt therapy because these are gentle, safe ways to relieve coughs and colds, enabling children to breathe more easily. It is important to understand the different ways in which these therapies work, as one may be more suitable for your situation than the other. Let’s explore salt therapy and steam therapy so that you can make the best choices for your children.
What is Salt Therapy?
Salt therapy has been used for centuries to relieve respiratory conditions such as asthma and recurrent chest infections. Modern salt therapy, or halotherapy, was developed when it was observed that workers in salt mines had excellent respiratory health, and salt rooms and salt caves began to be used in treatment. Traditionally, salt therapy has been accessed using salt caves or salt therapy rooms, and salt inhalers are also often recommended. However, devices such as the Salin Plus Air Purifier make it possible to experience salt therapy in your own home, daily.
Salt therapy is effective because salt particles are naturally anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, and they work to thin the mucus in the nasal passages. This is a very useful therapy for chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, COPD and allergies, and can help to relieve persistent coughs and chest and ear infections. We know that using a salt therapy device in your home can help to improve the indoor environment, and this can also help promote good sleep.
What is Steam Therapy?
Steam therapy, or steam inhalation, is an age-old method of treating coughs and respiratory problems, and many parents can recall being asked to inhale steam from a bowl of very hot water – usually with a towel over their head. This treatment may have been effective, but it carries a risk of serious burns, and there are better and safer ways to use steam therapy today. Many people use steamy showers or baths to help with hydration and to soothe the nasal passages, and it is possible to use humidifiers and mist inhalers to effectively remove congestion.
Steam therapy has a hydrating effect on the body, and this can help when the nasal passages are dry and irritated. This can loosen and thin mucus, helping to clear the airways and relieving tightness in the chest, and is useful for colds, coughs and the symptoms of flu. Steam therapy is a simple way to relieve symptoms when children are unwell, and can promote healthy sleep and comfort. However, steam therapy does not address the root cause of respiratory problems and does not remove allergens and irritants from the air, so it is a short-term solution.
Which Therapy is Best for my Child?
Finding the best solutions for your child will enable them to feel more comfortable and breathe more easily. Steam and salt therapy are both safe, accessible methods to relieve respiratory conditions, and trying them will not cause your child any harm. If you are concerned, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist to reassure you before you begin.
When you are deciding between salt therapy and steam therapy, it’s important to consider your child’s symptoms carefully. If your child has a temporary condition such as a cold or runny nose and has a lot of congestion or a sore throat, you may find that steam therapy offers you an excellent way to relieve these symptoms and support the natural healing process. If you have a child with persistent symptoms, however, who may suffer from asthma, allergies or frequent infections, you may find that salt therapy is a more effective treatment as this can help to address the cause of the issue and improve the health of the respiratory system in the long term.
You may find that a combination approach works well, and many people use salt and steam therapy alternately. Salt therapy may work to prevent recurrent infections and assist during periods of recovery from an acute illness, while steam therapy is useful during the acute illness itself.
Which is Best for Asthma?
Many parents are seeking a good solution for their children with asthma, and we often recommend salt therapy in these circumstances. Steam can relieve tightness in an acute illness, but may not be the best way to treat asthma in the long term. Salt therapy, however, can help to reduce inflammation and clear mucus from the lungs. Salt therapy is often very successful alongside prescribed medication for asthma, and you can discuss this with your medical team.
Salin Plus Salt Therapy
The Salin Plus Air Purifier range is designed to improve your indoor air quality and relieve chronic and long-term respiratory conditions. It is highly recommended for children with asthma and allergies, and it has a soothing effect on the lungs and airways. Salin Plus works by delivering fine salt crystals into the atmosphere, which purifies the air and brings relief to the respiratory system. It can be used at night to ensure maximum exposure and can also help to promote healthy sleep, which is essential to the healing process.
Consistency is the key to success with the Salin Plus Air Purifier, and it should be used every day or night for the best results. Using the device for at least eight hours every day is recommended, which is often easier to achieve during the nighttime. The filters will need replacing every four to six months, and the device can be used in your home or your office. Salin Plus is a natural and gentle way to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD and sleep apnea, and it is highly recommended by experts.
Look After Your Health at WonderCare
At WonderCare, we are here to help you take care of your health and the health of your family. We know that it can be very stressful if your child suffers from a respiratory condition, and we can help you to find solutions that work to support their wellbeing. We can offer advice and guidance alongside the products you will need from pre-conception to birth, throughout childhood and through the teenage years. Our experienced Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians will be happy to discuss your child’s health with you, and you are always welcome to visit us in-store.
Our range includes a comprehensive selection of skincare and healthcare products for babies, children and adults, as well as hair and beauty products and gift sets for all the family. We can help you choose the best options for your budget, and we also offer lifestyle and dietary advice to support you and your family. We deliver across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK, and we offer free shipping on orders over €40.
