The best preparations for rinsing the nose

Today in pharmacies you can find many solutions for rinsing the nasal cavity. These remedies help cope with a runny nose and make the patient feel better by reducing the amount of discharge. Also, preparations for rinsing the nose fight swelling and provide the mucous membrane with intense hydration.

What are these funds?

The basis of the vast majority of nasal rinsing solutions is sea water. This component is able to effectively remove mucus from the nose along with the viruses and bacteria found in it, and also cope with swelling due to the salt content in the composition.

Sea salt naturally fights inflammation, soothes irritated mucous membranes, and helps eliminate wounds and microcracks that appear due to frequent nose blowing. In addition, sea water contains useful microelements, such as iodine, which has a bactericidal effect.

Often, rinsing solutions are physiological, that is, the salt concentration in them is 0.9%, which corresponds to the internal environment of the body. Therefore, preparations based on saline solution are absolutely safe and approved for use even for newborns.

Nasal rinsing in children

It is unlikely that children under three years old will be able to explain the technique of the procedure. To clean your baby's nose, you need to place his head on your lap with his nose facing up. Using a pipette, take a few drops of the solution and inject it into each nostril in turn. After 20 - 30 seconds, use a special aspirator to remove the mucus with the remaining washing liquid. The baby should not be left alone during the procedure - you need to make sure that the baby does not choke.

For older children, the procedure can be performed in a sitting, lying or standing position, focusing on the child’s wishes. If during the procedure, the baby complains of tingling in the nose, then the salt concentration is slightly higher than optimal (the mucous membranes of children are more sensitive and receptive). In this case, you need to dilute a new solution with less salt or dilute the existing one with water.

"Dolphin"

This remedy for the common cold includes portioned powders for preparing a solution and a special container for rinsing the nasal cavity.

The composition of the classic “Dolphin” includes a mineral complex and plant components: licorice and rose hip extracts. When the powder is diluted with water, the patient receives an isotonic solution, which, due to additional components, has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and immunomodulatory effects.

For people prone to allergic reactions, a special “Dolphin for allergies” was created, which contains only a complex of minerals, without the addition of herbal ingredients.

Procedure execution algorithm

Draw a certain amount of saline solution into a bulb or syringe to rinse the nose - no more than half of the prepared volume.

Nasal irrigations may be uncomfortable at first. However, as the technique improves, the discomfort will pass. Be sure to follow the rules to ensure the safety of this procedure.

Thoroughly wash and dry the tools and equipment you use.
To prepare a saline solution for the nose, use only boiled or distilled water. Raw tap water may contain germs that can cause infection.
If, when you first rinse your nose, the solution seems too strong and causes a sensation reminiscent of a burn, reduce the salt concentration.

There is a simple way to immediately eliminate all possible shortcomings. These are pharmaceutical solutions for irrigation of the nasal cavity. Their composition is carefully selected both in terms of salt concentration and additional components. They are packaged in special cans with nozzles that create different types of spray. They are used not only for the prevention of diseases. Pharmacy saline solution for a runny nose is an excellent therapeutic agent. Let's look at its advantages using the Aqualor line as an example.

"Aquamaris"

This line of nasal rinsing products is represented by several drugs, each of which has specific indications for use:

“Aquamaris Strong” is produced on the basis of purified sea water and helps fight a severe runny nose, including in the presence of inflammatory processes in the sinuses: sinusitis, rhinosinusitis.
"Aquamaris Sense". A drug whose active ingredients are sea water and ectoine, which protects the cell wall from damage. The product is intended for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
“Aquamaris Plus” - in addition to sea water, contains a healing component - dexpanthenol, which helps irritated mucous membranes recover in a short time.

Aquamaris drugs are relatively inexpensive, which is why they are popular among patients.

Rinse the nose with saline solution

Co-author, editor and medical expert – Maksimov Alexander Alekseevich.

Last updated: 10/28/2021

Quantity 280.

Average reading time: 5 minutes.

In every pharmacy, several shelves are filled with remedies for the common cold - your eyes run wild, and it’s no wonder you get confused. Confused by such a variety, as well as the incompleteness of their own knowledge in the field of medicine, people often choose a drug on the principle “this one certainly won’t hurt” and take home one of the many saline solutions for rinsing the nose. Overall a good choice, but keep in mind that rinsing will only be truly safe and beneficial if done correctly and wisely.

Solutions based on salt (sodium chloride) are suitable for prevention and for eliminating (removing) unwanted elements: when washed, they clear the nasal cavity of mucus accumulated there, while simultaneously taking away bacteria and viruses.1 But if treatment is required for pronounced symptoms, such If you have severe congestion, you shouldn’t expect a miracle from a saline solution for rinsing your nose. He will not cope with the task without the participation of drugs designed specifically to combat congestion and runny nose; he will not be able to eliminate unpleasant symptoms - primarily nasal congestion - as quickly, reliably and thoroughly as special means.

Rinsing the nose with saline solution for a runny nose may not be more effective on its own, but rather as part of a complex therapy.

And this complex should include:

a nasal decongestant
, for example one of the TIZIN® nasal sprays with the active ingredient xylometazoline;
nasal rinse
- a saline solution based on water and salt.

But do not rush to rejoice if you see a medicine in a pharmacy that contains both xylometazoline and saline solution. The fact is that the best effect is not the use of a two-component product, but the sequential use of individual drugs: the first of them should relieve swelling, constricting blood vessels, as TIZIN® does, and the second - a saline solution - actually rinse the nasopharynx, clearing it of mucus and pathogens. In addition, to fully rinse the nose with saline solution, a large volume is required.

If you delve even a little into the physiology of the process, it will become clear why you should use a vasoconstrictor before rinsing your nose. Indeed, with rhinitis, that is, a runny nose, the vessels of the nasal mucosa dilate, swelling occurs, and because of it the nasal passages become blocked - in other words, the nose does not breathe. And this, of course, prevents it from being thoroughly washed with saline solution. It is better to immediately and forever forget about forceful methods of facilitating breathing - powerful inhalation, active blowing of the nose: such actions can simply be dangerous to health.

Trying to take a strong breath or exhale with a stuffy nose, you risk throwing mucus through the Eustachian tube into the middle ear and causing otitis media, as well as damaging the eardrum.

It would be much wiser to first free and widen the nasal passages and only after that, when you feel that the airway has been restored, use the solution to rinse the nose.

In other words, proper nasal rinsing should be a kind of ritual following a certain sequence of actions. This ritual does not require much effort and consists of three simple steps:

We spray a remedy for runny nose and congestion, such as the modern drug TIZIN® .
The goal is to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa and normalize breathing.
We wait 5–10 minutes.
This is the time it takes for TIZIN® drugs to work and provide relief1.
Rinse your nose with saline solution.
Thus, we free it from mucus, moisturize and disinfect it. It is important to use a sufficiently large amount of saline solution to rinse the nose - 100–250 ml.2 You can buy it at the pharmacy or prepare it at home from salt and water according to a special recipe.

It is worth noting once again that with this scheme, nasal congestion has already been eliminated by the time of rinsing, which means there is no danger of causing a complication of the disease through awkward actions.3

So, rinsing the nose with saline solution is a useful procedure, but it cannot always cope with the treatment of a runny nose alone. It is better to count on the sequential effects of a vasoconstrictor and saline solution. Safe and effective cleansing of the nasal cavity is a simple three-step ritual: TIZIN®, pause, rinse.

*Tizin® sprays begin to act in 5–10 minutes according to the instructions for use.

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional advice from a doctor. To make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, consult a qualified specialist.

Bibliography:

Soldatsky Yu.L., Denisova O.A. Possibilities of irrigation therapy in the prevention and treatment of rhinitis. Russian National Research Medical University named after. N.I. Pirogova, Moscow. Morozov Children's City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russian Federation. Issues of modern pediatrics, 2015; 14(5): 569-572.
Sandeep Ramalingam, Catriona Graham, Jenny Dove at al. A pilot, open labeled, randomized controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold. Scientific Reports, 2021 Jan 31; 9: 1015. Sandeep Ramalingam, Catriona Graham, Jenny Dove, et al. A pilot, open-label, randomized controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for colds.
Karpova E.P., Zaplatnikov A.L., Vagina E.E. Nasal decongestants and irrigation therapy in the complex treatment of viral-bacterial rhinosinusitis in children. GBOU DPO Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Moscow. Pediatrics.2012; 91(6):117-122.

"Aqualor"

The Aqualor solution is available in the form of a spray with a continuous spray system, which helps to quickly and effectively rinse the nasal cavity. The drug is based on sea water. The range of products includes:

“Aqualor Soft”, which gently cleanses and moisturizes the mucous membrane of a runny nose.
"Aqualor Norm", which is intended for deep cleansing of the nasal cavity during rhinitis.
“Aqualor Forte” and “Extra Forte” - ease breathing during congestion without developing addiction.
"Aqualor Active Soft", created specifically for the treatment of prolonged runny nose.
"Aqualor Active Forte", capable of coping with a severe runny nose.

For children, which can be used to rinse the nose of infants.

Preparation of saline solution

The recipe for making saline solution is very simple. Add 1 teaspoon of sea or table salt to a glass of boiled water and mix thoroughly. Treatment of a child with congestion should be more gentle: the dosage of salt should be reduced to ½ teaspoon. In addition to salt, you can add a teaspoon of soda or a drop of iodine to the solution. If you use sea salt, make sure that all the crystals dissolve, otherwise they will injure the nasal mucosa during the rinsing process. The main condition in preparing the solution is that the liquid should not be hot: for rinsing, you need to use a solution at room temperature. It must be remembered that consistency in treatment is necessary to achieve the desired effect. For prevention, you need to rinse your nasal passages 1-2 times a day for two weeks. This duration is not enough to combat a runny nose. The number of washes should be increased to 3-4 times a day.

"Marimer"

The drug is an isotonic solution prepared from purified sea water. "Marimer" contains microelements that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the ciliated epithelium of the nasal cavity. As a result, the resistance of the mucous membrane to infectious agents – viruses and bacteria – increases.

The drug is approved for use by pregnant women and children over 1 year of age. Can be used to relieve allergic rhinitis.

If decongestants are sold over the counter, are they safe?

If the instructions are followed exactly, the risks of taking decongestants in adults are low. However, you should not discount them. The range of side effects of drugs in this group is quite wide. The most harmless of them are dryness and burning in the nasal cavity.

Other side effects include:

ciliotoxicity - slowing down the beating of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membrane;
"rebound" syndrome - deterioration of the patient's condition after discontinuation of the drug or addiction to it;
development of medicinal or atrophic rhinitis;
systemic adrenergic effect.

In addition, patients should be warned about the risk of developing rhinitis medicamentosa if the drops are used for more than 7 days (according to the instructions for use). Their long-term use provokes disturbances in the autonomic regulation of blood vessels.

Systemic adrenergic effect (tachycardia, high blood pressure, hyperexcitability) is another undesirable consequence of the use of these drugs. It can develop both against the background of an overdose and with the correct use of anticongestants.

How to properly rinse your nose?

Rinsing the nasal cavity is a simple procedure, but to perform it you need to know a few rules. First, one nostril is irrigated with the required amount of solution. The head must be tilted in the same direction. After the product helps make the mucus more liquid, you should blow your nose without making too much effort. Then do the same manipulations on the other side.

If the procedure is performed on an infant, the first nostril to be irrigated is the one from below in a position on its side.

To rinse the nose with a stream, for example, using a device from Dolphin, a person is required to have a certain skill, which, however, is quickly acquired through practice. Holding one nostril closed, lean over the sink and pour the solution into the other nostril, squeezing the bottle. Then wait until the liquid comes out of the second nostril. Repeat this sequence of actions on the opposite side.

So, at least one of the preparations for rinsing the nasal cavity should be kept in your home medicine cabinet. These drugs work effectively both for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and colds, and as a component of the treatment of these diseases. A seawater-based spray will help you survive seasonal allergies. Finally, the solutions are sterile and safe and can be used for daily hygiene.

How to rinse?

It is better to buy a special bottle for rinsing the nose at the pharmacy. As a last resort, you can use a syringe without a needle. During rinsing, you need to slightly tilt your head down and make sure that all the solution that was poured into your nose then comes out completely when you blow your nose. You need to rinse your nose slowly, pouring liquid into each nostril one by one. But you can’t suck in liquid through your nose. This method of rinsing irritates the already inflamed nasal mucosa and allows mucus to enter the sinuses and auditory tube.

IMPORTANT! When rinsing your nose, you should not throw your head back or tilt it to the side and pour liquid into your nose under high pressure, for example, using a syringe. This can lead to rinsing fluid flowing into the auditory tube and, as a result, inflammation of the middle and inner ear. This happens especially often in children whose auditory tube is wide and short. Also, online stores often sell rinsing devices like a teapot, whose spout is inserted into the nostril. These “teapots” are usually used by fans of yoga and Ayurveda. It is better not to buy such devices. The fact is that with the help of these “dummies” it is impossible to rinse your nose without throwing your head back.

Interesting

There is a known case where a patient slowly released cerebrospinal fluid from her nose. The woman suffered from a “runny nose” for a long time and at the same time experienced severe weakness. The diagnosis was not made immediately, but only after a computed tomography scan. It was there that a “gap” was discovered in the CSF pathways, through which cerebrospinal fluid leaked into the nose. The “gap” was eliminated promptly, but the reason for its appearance could not be found out. Of course, such a case falls under the category of medical incidents, but it makes it clear that in case of any health problems it is better not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor in a timely manner.