Home Remedies: Good or Bad?

Well, COVID-19 finally got me.

I am missing my second week of work, and I am miserable. I am juggling doses of my controller inhaler, using my nebulizer for frequent breathing treatments, and I am propped up on the couch to help me breathe better. And I am back together with my old friend, prednisone.

My doctor's suggested home remedies for asthma

As many of you already know, one of the fun side effects of taking prednisone is not being able to sleep. As the early hours rolled by on the clock, it reminded me of staying up nights when my kids were little. I'm too old to do that these days!

I can remember pulling a LOT of all-nighters. My kids have severe asthma, and when they got sick...they got really sick! Over the years, my kids had many hospital stays for asthma. Back then, I didn't know much about asthma and relied on my pediatrician. Also, the internet and computers were still new, so I couldn't do much research on my own.

In addition to traditional treatments (daily controller inhalers, breathing treatments, steroids, etc), he suggested home remedies.

Go sit outside in the cold

Pediatrician would tell me to wrap my toddler up in a blanket and go sit outside in the cold air. He said that if my child breathed in the cold air, it would help the swelling in their lungs. So, we went outside. Night after night. It didn't help their cough, and it was hard for me to get off the porch steps because my arms and legs were cold and stiff.

It was later that I learned that cold temperatures could make asthma worse! In fact, cold temperatures are one of my worst asthma triggers. Breathing in cold air or drinking smoothies and milkshakes will trigger an asthma attack for me – every time.

The other old home remedy he suggested wasn’t any better.

Go sit in a hot, steamy bathroom

Pediatrician would say the other option was to turn on the shower in the bathroom, let it get hot and steamy, and go sit inside the bathroom with my child while they inhaled the steamy air. I hated it, and my children hated it. We were a sweaty mess by the time we were done. And it didn’t seem to help my kids either.

I also learned later that hot and humid temperatures can be an asthma trigger. And yes – it is also an asthma trigger for me too.

Following asthma guidelines, not home remedies

Now I am a public health professional and certified asthma educator, and I'm a firm believer in following the national asthma guidelines. Traditional treatment plans that include controller inhalers and breathing treatments are best for us. We are also careful to make sure our house is allergy- and asthma-friendly. Combining asthma medicines with a healthy environment keeps our lungs happy and healthy.

I've had some well-meaning relatives who wanted me to try some "interesting treatments" for asthma. I've had to tell them I appreciate their concern, but I will work with my doctor to find the best treatment plan for each of us and our type of asthma.

Have you had people tell you about home remedies? What was your experience?