An integrated approach in the treatment of inflammatory diseases in the throat involves the use of antiseptic solutions for rinsing the throat, resorption of lozenges, as well as inhalation for pharyngitis.
Timely start of treatment makes it possible to eliminate soreness when swallowing, sore throat, preventing coughing. Ignoring the pain in the oropharynx, the inflammation gradually spreads to the surrounding organs, as a result of which laryngitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis develop. Inhalation is especially useful during pregnancy, in childhood, when the use of drugs is limited.
During the procedure, small particles of herbal / pharmaceutical drugs penetrate into the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, thereby providing a therapeutic effect.
To date, the procedure has become much easier. Potato inhalations were gradually replaced by modern inhalers, the so-called nebulizers. It is especially convenient to use nebulizers in childhood.
Inhalation recipes
Often the following recipes are used at home:
- Boiled potatoes, potato broth, shrouds to breathe over with a towel over your head.
- A soda solution can be prepared by adding 15 grams of baking soda to a glass of boiling water / hot mineral alkaline water.
- Pharmacy solutions from herbal preparations, for example, Rotokan. For preparation, one teaspoon of the drug is enough for a glass of water.
In the process of preparing a medicinal product, you should pay attention to the temperature of the steam. Hot steam increases the risk of burns to the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, which significantly worsens the course of the disease.
Oil inhalation
To stop the inflammatory process, inhalation with pharyngitis using oil is widely used. Olive oil, peach oil, menthol oil has a good effect. They have a softening, moisturizing effect, help to reduce pain, inflammation, which leads to better breathing.
To prepare a solution for inhalation, it is enough to add 5 drops of oil to a glass of boiling water. To ensure antiviral effect, it is recommended 
using chamomile, oak bark oil, sage oil. However, it is worth remembering the dosages. These oils require a maximum of 3 drops per 180 ml boiling water.
The inhaler can be made at home. To do this, it is necessary to cut a cone out of cardboard, the narrow part of which is dipped into the medicinal solution, and over the wide one, inhalation is carried out. You can also use a steam inhaler or inhale the vapors over a saucepan with a healing agent, covering your head with a towel.
Features of using the nebulizer
Nebulizer inhalation is carried out by converting drugs into an aerosol. The smallest particles are able to penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract, providing a therapeutic effect on the mucous membrane.
A nebulizer is considered one of the main treatments. This applies to children, when tablet forms, medicinal solutions cannot always be used because of an unpleasant taste.
Nebulizers distinguish between:
- Compressor (more common, convenient for home use).
- Ultrasonic.
To prepare the solution, it is required to observe certain proportions of the components. The basis of the medicine is a saline solution, thanks to which it is possible to use oil, tablets and other healing agents.
The instructions clearly describe the rules for use, dosages, frequency of administration. Alkaline water is also recommended, which is indicated for coughing.
The action of alkaline water is to dissolve phlegm, improve the drainage function of the bronchi. As a result, it is easier to cough up phlegm.
Usually inhalation is carried out twice a day.
For the procedure, the following are assigned:
- Alkaline mineral waters such as Borjomi. It allows you to moisturize the mucous membrane, reduce swelling, and reduce the viscosity of sputum. Regular procedures ensure complete elimination of accumulated phlegm, thereby improving blood flow and ventilation in blocked bronchi. A session uses about 4 ml of water.
- Furacillin is prescribed to combat infectious pathogens, since the agent has antiseptic properties. For one session, 4 ml of solution is enough. Thus, the infectious and inflammatory process does not spread to the surrounding healthy tissues.
- In the absence of a furacillin solution, you can use the drug in tablet form. To do this, crush the tablet, dissolve it completely in a physiological solution with a volume of half a glass. 3-4 ml is enough for inhalation.
- Rotokan belongs to natural medicines, is available in pharmacies, does not require large material costs. A specially selected composition (yarrow, chamomile, calendula) allows you to quickly eliminate the swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, to reduce the severity of the inflammatory process. The procedure requires 3 ml of solution diluted in 100 ml of physiological solution. Inhalation is repeated three times a day, using 4 ml.
- The phytopreparation Sinupret contains plant extracts, thanks to which there is an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, immunomodulatory effect. The drug dissolves in saline (1: 1) if the treatment is carried out in adults. When inhalation is planned for a child over 6 years old, a 1: 2 dilution is required, and for inhalation for children 2-6 years old, a larger dilution is required (1: 3).
- Tincture of propolis, calendula can be used for the procedure by diluting it with saline (1 ml of the drug per 1.5 tablespoons of saline).
Before using herbal infusions and decoctions, the likelihood of an allergic reaction should be excluded in order to avoid the development of severe bronchospasm.
Inhalation during pregnancy
Throughout the entire period of gestation, a woman should regularly visit a doctor. This will make it possible to identify pathology in a timely manner, to prevent the appearance of complications. Inhalation for pregnant women is carried out in consultation with the doctor, taking into account the period, the characteristics of the course of pregnancy, the severity of the disease.
During pregnancy, it is possible to use drugs such as furacillin, chlorophyllipt. Also, doctors allow the use of propolis, mineral alkaline water, rotocan. Of the contraindicated drugs, it is worth highlighting miramistin, oil of cedar, dill, basil, sage, rosemary, oregano.
Steam treatments for children
Due to the receipt of drugs in the form of an aerosol into the upper respiratory tract, it is possible to reduce tissue edema, the severity of the inflammatory process, and eliminate pathogenic microorganisms accumulated in sputum.
When asked whether it is possible to do inhalation with pharyngitis, doctors give a positive answer. However, it is not recommended to prescribe procedures to the child on their own, because there are some contraindications, for example, hyperthermia, purulent tonsillitis of a lacunar, follicular form. After examining the child by a doctor, inhalation is allowed to be performed at home.
Procedural treatment can be carried out over a container with a heated broth, medicine, covered with a towel or nebulizer. Of course, the second method is more acceptable for children. For a nebulizer, it is enough to purchase a drug or prepare it at home. Duration 
the procedure is approximately 5 minutes, but if necessary, it can be increased to 7-10 minutes.
Inhalations are carried out after the end of the acute period of inflammation, when the temperature does not exceed 37.5 degrees, as well as for prophylaxis in the autumn-spring period. It is at this time that pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis are most often recorded. Inhalation is especially useful for long-term pharyngitis, in which frequent exacerbations are observed. Regular procedures with alkaline mineral water can increase the duration of remission.
Procedure rules
Compliance with simple recommendations will help make the procedure as effective as possible, preventing the occurrence of complications.
- For the nebulizer, syrups, suspensions, which are indicated for oral administration, are not used.
- Oil, tablet forms of drugs should be diluted with saline in a certain ratio.
- The procedure is prohibited for febrile hyperthermia.
- The mask is applied once, after which it should be disinfected.
- The maximum duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
- Before inhalation, food intake should not be later than an hour.
- After the procedure, it is forbidden to smoke, go outside in winter for an hour.
In addition to inhalations, for a quick recovery, it requires an abundant warm drink, due to which toxic substances are removed from the body, the severity of the intoxication syndrome decreases, and hyperthermia decreases. Also, bed rest, good nutrition, regular airing of the room, and wet cleaning are required.
Despite the effectiveness of inhalation for preventive purposes, one should not forget about strengthening the immune system, one should avoid mass gatherings of people during an influenza epidemic, and prevent hypothermia of the body.
Inhalation is an effective method of treatment, but you need to remember about possible contraindications, side reactions. In this regard, it is recommended to consult a doctor before starting treatment at home.
