School of Medicine | Health Sciences | Queen's Home

Otolaryngology Educational Materials

Nasal Irrigation

What are Nasal Sprays?
Most "over the counter" nose sprays are decongestants which constrict blood vessels in your nose to reduce congestion. They should be used for only a few days at a time.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays must be prescribed by your doctor. They work locally to decrease inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses. Some common corticosteroid nasal sprays are Nasocort, Flonase, Nasonex and Rhinocort.

What is Nasal Saline Irrigation?
Nasal Saline Irrigation is simply flushing out your nose with a salt solution to clean and hydrate nasal tissues. This procedure is something you do at home and may offer similar relief to that of decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal sprays.

Benefits:
- It acts a solvent that cleans mucus and crusts from your nasal passages
- It moisturizes and decongests the nose, improving air flow and opening sinus passages
- It improves nasal drainage
- It improves the effectiveness of nasal steroid sprays if irrigation is performed before using the spray

Commercial Nasal Saline Products:

- Hydrasense
- Hydrasense Baby Mist
- Salinex

These products can be purchased at most drugstores without a prescription. Ask your pharmacist for their location in the store.


Home Recipe for Saline Solution:

NOTE:
Do Not Use Table Salt
250 mL (8oz) warm water
½ tsp. sea salt

OR

250 mL (8oz) warm water
1/4 tsp. sea salt with 1/4 tsp. baking soda

- Mix solution In a clean glass jar.

Nasal Saline Irrigation Procedure:
1. Pour warm saline mixture into a clean bowl.
2. Fill your hand or a large syringe or a bulb irrigator with the salt solution.
3. Stand over the sink and sniff or squirt the solution into each side of your nose several times.
- Aim the stream of liquid as if you are trying to squirt the back of you head not the top of your head. Aim a little to the sides too.
- Keep your mouth open. You should be able to spit some of the solution out your mouth. You may cough or snort some of the solution up - spit it out.
4. Repeat this procedure 2-3 more times
resting between flushes.
5. Wash the syringe or bulb with warm water every 2-3 days and allow to dry.
6. Do this nasal saline irrigation 2-3 times a day.

Written By Hannah Varto
Queen's University Nursing Student
Under the supervision of the staff at the
ENT Clinic, Hotel Dieu Hospital
Kingston, Ontario
 

Disclaimer The contents of the Queen's Otolaryngology website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material ("Content") contained on the Queen's Otolaryngology site are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Queen's Otolaryngology website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Queen's Otolaryngology does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Queen's Otolaryngology and its staff appearing on this website is solely at your own risk.

Please note that we cannot offer any medical advice via e-mail

For more information about this web site, contact Dr. Andre K.W. Tan

All contents copyright (C) 1999, 2000, 2001.
Queen's University
All rights reserved.

Revised: February 15, 2002

 

THIS URL: http://meds.queensu.ca/medicine/otolaryngology/oto-edu.htm