Who benefits from an inhalation mask?

Occasional inhalations in the context of colds can easily be done with a bowl and a cloth. An inhalation mask has the same effect, but is easier to use for many and is a more pleasant alternative, especially for children. The mask covers the mouth and nose and can be fastened with an elastic band.

It can therefore be put on without effort, especially for children, without having to correct it. With the classic inhalation method, the water vapour reaches the mouth and nose as well as the face and occasionally the eyes. This can be very unpleasant and even lead to unwanted irritation of the mucous membranes.

For this reason, the purchase of an inhalation mask is particularly suitable for therapy with above-average frequency. An inhalation mask is also suitable for the treatment of chronic asthma, protracted bronchial or pneumonia, as well as COPD. It facilitates inhalation, can transport the active ingredients more reliably to the mucous membranes and can be combined very well with nebulizers.

What inhalation solutions are available?

The basis of a conventional inhalation for moistening the mucous membranes consists of water vapor. This alone moistens the mucous membranes and soothes irritations, which can alleviate the symptoms of colds, mucosal inflammation and bronchitis. Herbs, oils and other additives are often used to enhance the effect.

Essential oils should only be used with care, as they can irritate the mucous membranes themselves. Chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs often require medicinal therapy by inhalation. More professional inhalation devices are also necessary to ensure that the active ingredient reaches the affected part of the lung.

Depending on its severity, asthma requires inhalation therapy with bronchodilator drugs or cortisone-like anti-inflammatory drugs. The classic asthma inhaler delivers a short-acting agent into the bronchi, which relaxes them and can quickly interrupt the asthma attack by dilating the bronchi. Also in the treatment of COPD, cortisone-like agents must often be inhaled to stop the inflammation of the airways.

Chamomile,
Mint,
Eucalyptus,
Mountain pine
But also salt.

Often, table salt is added for simple steam inhalation. This can be done, but the effect is marginal because the salt dissolved in the water hardly gets into the steam and therefore has no effect. In inhalation devices with nebulizers, a much larger portion of the salt gets into the steam and thus also into the respiratory tract.

The most sensible solution is the addition of 0.9% saline solution to produce an isotonic saline solution. This is available in the pharmacy. The addition of salt ensures that the irritated airways are moistened in the case of colds and coughs, as well as mucus solution.

Chamomile is the most popular addition to a classic inhalation for colds or inflammation of the bronchi. Chamomile can help the water vapour to liquefy the stubborn mucus that has settled in the mucous membranes and reduce mucous membrane irritation. Chamomile also has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect, thus promoting healing. It can also have an antispasmodic effect and thus reduce coughing and breathing difficulties in cases of bronchitis and persistent coughing.