Guide to Nasal Washes

Importance of Good Hydration

Staying well hydrated is crucial for nasal health. Drinking enough water

throughout the day helps mucus become more liquid and less thick, facilitating its

expulsion and keeping the airways clean when performing nasal washes.

The Best Way to Blow Your Nose

  • Blow Gently: Do not blow your nose too hard. Blowing with too much
    pressure can damage the sinuses and the middle ear.
  • Blow One Nostril at a Time: Close one nostril by gently pressing it with a finger and
    blow through the other nostril. Then repeat with the other nostril. This helps reduce pressure
    in the sinuses. Avoid blowing both nostrils at the same time, as this can increase pressure and
    cause discomfort.
  • Keep Your Mouth Open: Keep your mouth slightly open while blowing. This helps reduce
    pressure in the ears.

Types of Nasal Washes

There are several methods for nasal washes, each with its own advantages:

  • Lasts more than a few days.
  • Accompanied by hearing loss, dizziness, or pain.
  • Interferes with your sleep or concentration.

Saline Solution:

  • Presentation: You can find it in small single doses, ideal for carrying with you, or in bottles up
    to 1 liter, perfect for frequent use.
  • Homemade Saline: If you prefer to make it at home, mix 1 liter of water with 1 tablespoon of salt.
    It is crucial to boil this mixture and let it cool before use to ensure it is free of bacteria.
  • Application: Use a syringe or a bottle with an applicator to introduce the saline into the nostrils with
    some pressure. This helps drag and clean secretions.

Seawater:

  • Commercial Presentation: There are commercial seawater preparations available in pharmacies, such
    as Rhinomer and other brands.
  • Homemade Collection: If you have access to the sea, you can collect seawater, but make sure to boil it
    and let it cool before use to eliminate possible contaminants.
  • Application: Similar to saline solution, use a syringe or bottle with an applicator to apply seawater
    with pressure. Commercial presentations come with their own applicator and can be found with
    different pressure strengths.

Refillable/Reusable Bottles:

  • Use: These bottles are filled with tap water and specific salt packets are added to create a saline solution.
    Brands like Rinoduche offer this type of product.
  • Advantage: They are an economical long-term option and convenient for those who need to perform
    frequent nasal washes, as they allow greater control over the amount and pressure of the liquid.

Guide to Nasal Washes

Methods of Washing

Nasal washes can be done using two main methods: pressure and drag washes, and nebulizations or sprays.

Pressure and Drag:

  • Syringe: A syringe filled with saline is an economical and effective way to perform nasal washes.
    It allows control of pressure and the amount of liquid introduced into the nostrils.
  • Bottles with Applicator or Nasal Sprays: These bottles allow applying saline or seawater with pressure,
    helping to drag and clean secretions.

Nebulizations or Sprays:

  • Nasal Nebulizers: Sprays do not drag secretions but are useful for hydrating the nasal mucosa and rehydrating
    dry mucus, facilitating its expulsion.

Vapors:
Vapors, or steam inhalations, are an additional technique that can help soften mucus or crusts if you have recently
undergone surgery on turbinates or nasal septum, facilitating their expulsion. You can make vapors with hot water and,
if you wish, add a few drops of essential oils such as eucalyptus or mint.

Nasal Wash Technique:

  1. Position: Tilt your head forward (this prevents the liquid from going down the throat). Do it so that the liquid can
    flow freely from one nostril to the other. You can also tilt your head to one side.
  2. Application: Introduce the saline into one nostril using a syringe, applicator bottle, or nasal spray. Let the liquid
    come out through the other nostril.
  3. Repeat: Repeat the process on both nostrils to ensure complete cleaning.
  • In the Shower: A valid option is to do it in the shower to take advantage of the vapors produced and because it is
    easier and you don’t have to do it at the sink.

Frequency of Washes

To keep the nostrils clean and reduce congestion, it is recommended to perform between 3 and 5 nasal washes per day,
especially if you have congestion symptoms or are following a medical treatment that requires it.

Special Recommendations

  • Rhinitis and Sinusitis: If you suffer from rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, or are in a postoperative period, it is highly
    recommended to include nasal washes in your daily routine to keep the nostrils clean and reduce inflammation.
  • Nasal Corticosteroids: If you are using nasal corticosteroids (such as Nasonex, Avamys, Dymista, Ryaltris,
    Rinoduo, etc.), perform a nasal wash before administering the medication to ensure the drug works more effectively.

Use of Vasoconstrictors

Nasal vasoconstrictors can be useful to relieve congestion, but it is important not to use them for more than 2-3 consecutive
days. Prolonged use can cause dependence and a rebound effect, where nasal congestion worsens when you stop using them.
This is because the blood vessels in the nose dilate more than normal, causing greater congestion.

Legal notice:The information contained in this blog is for informational purposes only and is presented in a summarized and simplified manner. It should not be considered complete or reliable for diagnosis, treatment, or any medical decision-making. The recommendations provided here do not replace consultation, evaluation, or advice from a specialist. In case of any doubt or symptoms, it is always recommended to consult a qualified healthcare professional.