Salt Therapy for Asthma and Allergies: What Science Actually Shows

Salt therapy has become popular as a natural way to relieve allergies and asthma, but research shows it hasn't been proven to treat or prevent respiratory conditions. While some people report temporary relief from congestion, the science behind these trendy salt rooms remains limited and mixed, with no standardized treatment protocols or medical approval.

What Exactly Is Salt Therapy?

Salt therapy, also called halotherapy, involves sitting in a specially designed room or natural salt cave for 30 to 45 minutes while tiny salt particles are released into the air. The rooms are typically maintained at temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels between 40% to 60%. Some facilities use salt-covered walls to mimic natural salt caves, while others use machines that grind salt into fine particles and disperse them throughout the space.

The appeal is understandable. Salt therapy is marketed as a natural alternative to medications and inhalers, and it's promoted in wellness centers, spas, and even shopping malls as a way to support breathing without pharmaceutical intervention. For people seeking alternatives to pills or inhalers, the concept sounds genuinely appealing.

Does Salt Therapy Actually Help With Allergies?

The short answer is no—at least not in the way it's marketed. "With allergies, the evidence for salt therapy is limited," explains Dr. Madhav Chopra, an interventional pulmonologist with Banner University Medicine. Research shows that salt therapy does not reduce markers of allergic airway inflammation, which is the root cause of allergy symptoms.

While some people report temporary relief from nasal congestion or irritation after salt therapy sessions, this doesn't address the underlying problem. "It does not treat the cause of allergies," Dr. Chopra notes. Instead of relying on salt rooms, people with allergies should focus on proven strategies:

• Identify Your Triggers: Understanding what causes your allergic reactions is the first step toward managing them effectively.
• Use Proven Medications: Antihistamines, decongestants, and other allergy medications have strong scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.
• Reduce Allergen Exposure: Minimizing contact with known triggers through environmental controls is a practical, evidence-based approach.

Salt therapy should never replace allergy testing or medical treatment, as it doesn't address the inflammatory processes driving allergic reactions.

What About Asthma—Can Salt Therapy Help?

The evidence for asthma is slightly more promising than for allergies, though still limited. Some research suggests that salt therapy may help with respiratory symptoms and reactions in both adults and children with asthma. "The exact mechanism is unknown but it may be due to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salt therapy," Dr. Chopra explains.

However, there's an important caveat: salt particles themselves may irritate your airways and could trigger coughing or wheezing—the very symptoms people are trying to relieve. This is particularly concerning for people with moderate to severe asthma or chronic lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have asthma, you should always follow a provider-guided treatment plan rather than relying on unproven complementary therapies.

Is Salt Therapy Safe?

"Salt therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated with few reported adverse effects," according to Dr. Chopra. However, possible side effects do exist and include:

• Dry Mouth and Throat: Inhaling salt particles can dry out your nasal passages, throat, and skin, causing discomfort.
• Coughing or Throat Irritation: Salt particles may irritate sensitive airways, triggering coughing fits.
• Worsening Breathing Symptoms: For some people, symptoms may actually get worse during or after sessions.
• Facility-Related Issues: Problems can arise based on the cleanliness and air quality of the facilities themselves.

Salt therapy may not be safe for everyone, especially people with moderate to severe asthma, chronic lung disease like COPD, children with breathing conditions, or anyone whose symptoms worsen during or after sessions.

What Should You Do Instead?

Unlike salt therapy, medical treatments for allergies and asthma work on the root cause of symptoms and are backed by strong evidence. These include allergy medications and strategies for avoiding triggers, inhalers and asthma action plans, and ongoing monitoring and follow-up with a healthcare provider.

You should seek professional medical care if you have ongoing allergies or breathing symptoms, have trouble with routine activities like cooking, cleaning, or taking out the trash, experience wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath, wake up at night because of symptoms, have symptoms after using your rescue inhaler, or aren't sure which treatments are safe for you.

While salt therapy rooms may feel relaxing and some people report short-term relief, the science simply doesn't support them as a treatment for allergies or asthma. They should never replace evidence-based medical care. If you're struggling with breathing symptoms or allergies, talk to your healthcare provider about safe, proven ways to breathe easier.