However, some of the study participants reported that it helped reduce the symptoms of headaches.Ī 2017 systematic review found that it is uncertain whether heated water vapor eased symptoms of the common cold effectively. A 2016 study investigating the benefits of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation found that this practice was ineffective in reducing symptoms of nasal congestion. However, scientific evidence states that steam inhalation may not help with these symptoms.
Anecdotally, steam inhalers may help reduce symptoms of the following:
