Steam inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to soothe and open the nasal passages and get relief from the symptoms of a cold or sinus infection. Also called steam therapy, it involves the inhalation of water vapor. The warm, moist air is thought to work by loosening the mucus in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. This may relieve symptoms of inflamed, swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages. While steam inhalation won’t cure an infection, like a cold or the flu, it may help make you feel a lot better while your body fights it off. But as with any home remedy, it’s important to learn best practices so you don’t hurt yourself in the process.

1. Health technology is defined by the
World Health Organization as the "application
of organized knowledge and skills in the form
of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures,
and systems developed to solve
a health problem and improve quality of lives“

2. Steam Inhaler-
Introduction and
Maintenance
• Health Technology Maintenance Series
• By Dr. S.B.Sinha- Ex. President Biomedical
Society of India

3. Inhalation
It is the breathing of a
vapor containing a
medication
Inhalation is defined as a
taking air or other vapors
into lungs through mouth
or Nose

4. Type of
inhalation
Dry Inhalation
• The inhalation of fumes from volatile
drugs , is know as dry inhalation.
• Example- ether ,chloroform, nitrous.
oxide,menthol,eucalyptus,ammonia
Moist Inhalation
• The inhalation of plain steam or steam
impregnated with a drug is know as
moist inhalation .
• Moist steam inhalation is defined as
utilization of moist heat to loosen lung
congestion & helps to liquefy secretions
• Example- Steam , tincture benzoine

5. Purposes
To relieve the inflammation of mucus
membrane in a acute colds & sinusitis.
To relieve the irritation in bronchitis &
whooping cough by moistening
To provide the antiseptic on the
respiratory tract
To provide the warmth & Moist air
following operation ex: tracheostomy
To soften secretion which are thick &
tenacious
To relieve the cough .

6. Steam
Inhalation
Steam Inhalation of warm , moist air into the
mucous membranes and respiratory tract.
The temperature of water should remain
between 120 to 160 F or54.5 to 76.5 C
Water in inhaler should remain just below
the spout to avoid the scalding
Keep the patient warm & prevent drought
before ,during & when inhalation.
Observe the patient closely through out the
procedure.

7. Things
Needed
Boiling water in a kettle with
spout an empty juice can may
serve the purpose
Hot plate of gas stove or local
stove using charcoal
Sheets
Paper Bag

8. Steam Inhalation Devices
• Nelsons Inhaler

10. User Maintenance Check List
DAILY
Cleaning  Clean off dust with water and dry
cloth
Visual checks  Check that power indicator and
cable connector are working fine
Function
checks
 Check the water heater before using

11. User Maintenance Check List
WEEKLY
Cleaning Clean off dust with water and dry cloth
Visual checks  Check that power cable are not bent or
damaged
 Replace any damaged electrical plugs,
sockets or cables
 Check all knobs, switches and indicators
are tightly fitted
Function checks  Check the water heater before using

12. Troubleshooting
Symptoms Possible Cause Solution
The Steam
Inhalation machine
fails to start up
Coil & atomizer does
not working .
Inhalation not
properly
AC power not
connected.
-Check that AC power
is properly connected.
The coil & atomizer
not properly attached
Make sure coil &
atomizer is properly
attached & and battery
is fully charged.
Check nose inhaler Adjustable nose
inhaler.

13. THANK YOU