Nebulisation vs Steam Inhalation: Not the Same Thing
A wheezing child sat on the OPD bed, ribs moving in and out with each breath. The mother spoke anxiously, “Doctor, we already gave steam twice.”
Steam had been tried. Relief had not arrived.
That moment highlighted a common misconception—nebulisation and steam inhalation are often treated as interchangeable, but they are not.
Steam inhalation works by providing warm, moist air. It may soothe the upper airway, loosen secretions, and offer temporary comfort in nasal congestion. But it does not deliver medication to the lungs, nor does it reliably reach the lower airways. Its role is limited—and in children, it carries a real risk of burns.
Nebulisation, on the other hand, is targeted therapy. It converts liquid medication into fine particles that reach the bronchi and bronchioles. In conditions like asthma, bronchiolitis, or acute wheeze, nebulisation treats the pathology—it opens airways, reduces inflammation, and improves oxygenation.
Steam may comfort. Nebulisation treats.
Using steam in place of nebulisation during respiratory distress can delay effective care. In pediatrics, such delays matter—because children compensate silently until they suddenly don’t.
Relief came only after proper nebulisation. The wheeze softened. Breathing eased.
And once again, the lesson was clear: similar-looking therapies are not always equivalent ones. In medicine, knowing the difference can change outcomes.
Have you ever had your patients come with the same complaints?
MBH/AB