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A member asked:
What to try something for my stuffy nose. reading that you can breathe steam in the shower or pot of water or use a nasal rinse, but problem with nasal rinses is bacteria in water, but can you get the same bacteria breathing in the steam?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
The household water is considered clean water so it does not harbor the virulent bacteria. Heated water kills almost all bacteria so the steam won't hurt you at all. Take care.
Answered 4/30/2023
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Contact with steam from hot water may result in local burns but does not cause infections by bacteria, as the elevated temperatures encountered when water boils is very sufficient to eradicate bacteria.
Answered 4/30/2023
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