Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This is a non-invasive, drug-free therapy that children of all ages respond to well. In fact, thousands of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) worldwide have benefited from salting. One of the main benefits of sodium chloride is its ability to absorb moisture and pathogens. This allows the heavy mucus in cystic fibrosis suffers to be thinned out and more easily cleared from their respiratory passages. The clearing of secretions is a primary treatment in CF health maintenance. The use of “wet” salt therapy has been used for decades in the medical establishment in the form of saline breathing treatments. Some studies suggest that CF suffers tolerate dry salt therapy better than wet salt therapy.

Unfortunately, halotherapy hasn’t been formally studied in the US healthcare system, and therefore is not FDA-approved for the treatment or cure of any diseases or conditions. It is not covered by insurance. Outside of the US, many European countries, some of which have the highest-rated healthcare systems in the world, have adopted halotherapy as a medically-approved treatment.

You may feel relief even after just one session. The number of sessions an individual chooses is largely based on the intensity of symptoms and how quickly they want to experience relief. During periods of exacerbation, especially for sufferers of allergies, asthma, and bronchitis, the person may benefit the most from several sessions within a short time frame. Salt therapy is most effective for acute conditions when it is used at least 2-3 times per week. Again, it is ultimately up to the individual to decide what suits them best. Listen to your body and you can’t go wrong.

Yes. We can’t allow any person with an active, contagious disease in our salt booths or rooms. This includes: TB, influenza, COVID, resistant viral/bacterial pneumonia, recent fever, or hemorrhagic infections. Any person with advanced respiratory disease (requiring continuous oxygen) or advanced heart disease (uncontrolled high blood pressure, congestive heart failure) should also refrain from salting. Individuals who are pregnant or have cancer should definitely consult with their physician before starting salt therapy.

You can find a great deal of information on the web by searching. Remember, this therapy has been around in Europe for decades. Not to mention, salt was used as far back as ancient Egypt and Greece as a treatment for wounds and respiratory conditions. Hippocrates, known as The Father of Medicine, was a great advocate for salt inhalation. The Salt Therapy Association is a great resource for the medical studies done by some European countries.

You should dress in comfortable clothing, so you feel totally relaxed during the session. You will have a light dusting of salt on your clothing and hair afterward, but it will not damage them in any way. We provide privacy curtains if you choose to expose certain affected skin areas. However, please no nudity.

Electronics should be left in your vehicle or in the plastic container provided in your salt booth. Salt loves to corrode metals. If you don’t believe us, just look under any car that’s survived a few Chicago winters.

Mostly yourself. However, there is a built-in reading light inside the booth if you want to read something inspirational or jot down your literary masterpiece.

Well, it doesn’t hurt – let’s start there. There is nothing invasive at all about the session, and it is 100% drug-free. You may feel a whole range of emotions and sensations. People report excitement, euphoria, deep relaxation, ease of breathing, a slight saltiness on the lips, a clearing of the sinuses, and a spark of energy – just to name a few.

The amount of salt you absorb during halotherapy is trivial compared to the amount in the foods you eat. Think about the size of the granules of salt you sprinkle over your food. The size of the particles you are inhaling or absorbing through the skin during halotherapy is microscopic in comparison – finer than a hair.

The reason our sessions are only 10-minutes is that you are inside one of our private booths and you start breathing the salted air right away. Typically, halotherapy is done as a group session in a larger room where it takes more time for the salted air to circulate around and provide enough salt concentration to be beneficial. At Salted Desert – you get your own perfectly salted air!