How to Use Steam to Relieve Sinus Pressure
While there are numerous medications and surgical procedures available to relieve sinus pressure, there are also simple home remedies that can help. A steam treatment can break up nasal congestion and ease your suffering while you look for a long-term solution to treat and relieve your sinus infections.
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Things You'll Need
- Water
- Large pot or kettle
- Bath towel
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Thyme
- Chamomile
- Rosemary
- Pine
- Oregano
- Juniper
Instructions
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Follow the Basic Steps of a Steam Treatment
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1
Fill a large pot or kettle with tap water.
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2
Bring the water to a boil and remove the pot from the stove top.
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3
Use a large bath towel to cover your head and position it over the pot of hot water. The towel should drape itself over the pot, trapping the steam inside so it will rise toward your face.
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4
Inhale deeply, sucking the warm, moist air as far into your sinuses as possible. Breathe through your nose for maximum sinus relief.
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5
Keep breathing deeply for up to 5 minutes.
Enhance Your Steam Treatment Experience
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6
Get a professional steam bath from a health club or spa. While these treatments are most commonly used to open skin pores and aid relaxation, they'll be equally effective in treating sinus congestion.
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Add a fragrant mixture of essential oils to your steam treatment. A dash of eucalyptus or peppermint can make a steam treatment even more satisfying and effective.
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Pour essential oils onto a sponge and leave it in the shower while you bathe. The oil's fumes will mix with the shower's steam, creating an enveloping steam treatment.
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9
Drop a mixture of dried herbs or flower petals into a steam treatment. Popular herbs for treating sinus discomfort include sage, thyme, chamomile, rosemary, pine, oregano and juniper. While most of these herbs can be purchased at your neighborhood grocery store, you may need to visit a specialty herb shop.
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Tips & Warnings
Not only can you use a steam treatment help to ease sinus pressure, but it can also help to prevent the growth of infectious bacteria.
If the heat of a steam treatment becomes too intense, lift the towel just long enough to allow a rush of cool air to enter. Resume the steam treatment as soon as you can do so comfortably.
You can use the oils from a steam treatment to relieve mild sinus discomfort throughout the day. Just put a dab of an herbal oil on a tissue or handkerchief and inhale the fumes. This can help relieve pressure until you're able to apply a full steam treatment.
