Saline Nasal Irrigations

What is nasal irrigation and why do I need to do it?

Although it may sound intimidating or uncomfortable, nasal irrigation really is as simple as running a gentle saline solution through your nasal passages and sinuses. Most people find that in a short time, they are comfortable irrigating their nose. The nasal and sinus cavities are normally able to clear mucus on their own through the normal mucociliary transport mechanism. Sometimes swelling of the nose from allergy, irritation, or infection can prevent this self-cleaning. In these cases, irrigations (nasal flushing or washing) are used until the lining of the nose and sinuses can recover and begin performing normally again. Nasal irrigation cleans the passages of your nose where particles get trapped and washes them away. Nasal irrigation will also help stimulate cilia movement and healthy secretions while keeping the mucosa moist.

How do I make the solution?

Many commercially available sinus rinses already come with a pre-made solution. However, it is easy to make your own if desired. Boil tap water at a full rolling boil for at least 3 minutes and place it in a clean one liter or one quart container. We recommend using a container with a wide mouth to facilitate washing, and more importantly, thorough drying of the container. Add 2-3 teaspoons table salt. For stuffy noses, also add ¼ to ½ teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder). Mix it thoroughly and let it cool to room temperature before use.

How do I irrigate my nose?

If you have bought a sinus rinse from the drug store, simply follow the directions. Generally, you will be instructed to irrigate each nostril with ¼ to ½ cup of the solution. Perform the irrigations while leaning far forward over a sink so that the solution may drip or be spit out. Place the tip of the device at the opening of the nostril and gently irrigate the solution into the nose. We recommend using any commercially available sinus rinse device that allows gentle flushing or irrigation of the nasal and sinus cavities, not just a saline mist or spray. An example is NeilMed Sinus Rinse www.neilmed.com. However, any comparable device is acceptable. These relatively inexpensive devices are available at most drug stores and can be taken apart for thorough periodic cleaning. You should choose the sinus rinse that is most comfortable for you. Here is a link demonstrating this technique: nasal-saline-irrigations

Helpful tips:

• Breathe through your mouth or hold your breath while flushing.
• Stop irrigating if you have to sneeze or cough.
• Do not speak or swallow while flushing. This could change the pressure in your ears/nose and cause infectious material to be drawn into the middle ear/sinuses.
• At first, you may have an aversion to doing the irrigations, much like touching the eye when first learning to wear contact lenses. After a while, this will subside, and you will be able to tolerate irrigation quite easily.

You should clean the irrigation device and solution container daily with soap and water so bacteria are not reintroduced into the nasal cavity when you irrigate. Using two containers is optimal as one can be cleaned while the other is in use. Sterilization may be performed once a week with a weak solution of Betadine (available in pharmacies) or a diluted solution of bleach and water (1 part bleach and 100 parts water). Allow the device to completely air dry before using again.

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