During a cold, a sick person suffers from fever, headache, cough and many more unpleasant symptoms. But one of the most painful and disturbing is nasal congestion.
During a runny nose, the sense of smell disappears, appetite decreases due to loss of taste, and breathing problems occur. This condition is especially severe during sleep.
Today, there are many medications and techniques to combat nasal congestion. One of the most popular methods is irrigation and washing of the sinuses with various solutions. This procedure is effective and can be done at home. In addition, a solution for washing the nose can be prepared independently.
What diseases can and should wash your nose with
- Nasal congestion in colds.
- Runny nose caused by allergies.
- Dryness and irritation of the sinuses due to dust or chemicals.
- After surgery, when the damaged mucosa takes time to recover.
- Sinusitis, including sinusitis.
Important: for sinusitis, the procedure is best done in the hospital, since at home it is difficult to get the solution for washing the nose to the focus of infection. In addition, there is a risk of bacteria entering the middle ear.
The effect of the procedure
After applying the solution for washing the nose at home, you can achieve the following results:
- Reducing the volume of mucus, and as a result, normalizing breathing.
- Softening and liquefying of secretions.
- Removing bacteria from the mucosa.
- Reduces discomfort caused by nasal congestion.
Many people practice daily nose washing as a preventive and hygienic procedure. But there is also convincing evidence that using this method for too long has the opposite effect - people after a sharp rejection of the artificial washing of mucus began to suffer from sinusitis more often by 62%.
Important: the maximum duration of washing is no more than 2-3 weeks in case of illness or for the purpose of prevention in a dangerous period.
Methodology
There are several ways to rinse the nose, but at home it is recommended to use only these types:
- Irrigation. The mucous membrane is gently moistened with a solution from a nebulizer or nebulizer.
- Aspiration. The method is used for young children, including infants. The solution for washing the nose of the child is poured with a syringe or pipette, and then pumped out along with the mucus using a pear or aspirator.
- Nasal shower. The procedure is carried out using a pear or a special mug with a long nose. The patient tilts his head and pours a vegetable or saline solution for washing the nose into the upper nostril. With good patency, the fluid will flow out from the other nostril, part of it can enter the mouth and this is not a deviation.
Important: you need to blow your nose out before washing, and then you can’t go out in the cold for 2 hours.
Contraindications
The procedure cannot be performed if:
- There is obstruction - the nose is very stuffy.
- In the nose there are polyps or neoplasms with metastases.
- There is a strong curvature of the septum, making rinsing impossible.
- The disease is complicated by otitis media.
- Weakness of capillaries on the mucosa, frequent bleeding.
Important: in any situation, it is best to always consult a doctor who can not only approve (or not) nose washing, but also show how to do it correctly.
Nasal Wash Solutions
There are a few general rules that you should always follow:
- You always need to prepare a fresh and warm solution.
- The ideal fluid temperature is equal to body temperature - 36-37 ⁰
- The procedure is carried out 3-4 times a day for illness, for prevention - 1 time per day.
- Do not use tap water, but if there is no choice, then it should be boiled and cooled to the desired temperature.
- All containers should be clean and boiled, special attention should be paid to reusable irrigation vessels.
There are a lot of recipes for a solution for washing the nose. Here are some of the most popular.
Saline
Salt inhibits the growth of bacteria, dilutes mucus and helps to maintain the surface of the mucosa in a normal state. You can use both ordinary table salt and sea salt in the recipe. You just need to make sure that it does not contain any foreign perfumes and dyes.
Saline solution for washing the nose should have a concentration of from 0.9% and not more than 3%. For an adult, the best option would be 2.5% liquid, for children you need to do a little weaker, since they have a more delicate nose.
Often people are interested in what is better to use for washing the nose - sea salt or table? The first option is much preferable. Sea salt contains many mineral components: calcium helps heal damage to the mucosa, relieves irritation; iron normalizes the work of capillaries; iodine is a universal natural antiseptic that reduces the growth of bacteria; Manganese improves local immunity; magnesium soothes nerve endings and helps reduce edema. Its advantages are also indicated by the fact that pharmaceutical preparations are made from ocean water.
But if sea salt is not at hand, then you can always use ordinary sodium chloride, it is also quite effective.
Important: sea salt for washing the nose should not contain extraneous chemical agents - this can cause an allergic reaction and increase swelling.
Iodine
How to make an iodine-based nose wash solution? The main thing here is not to make it too concentrated, otherwise you can get a mucous burn. To obtain the desired effect, it is enough to add 1-2 drops per 250 ml of water.
Vegetable
Herbal decoctions of chamomile, St. John's wort, sage and calendula will be an excellent alternative to iodine or saline solution for washing the nose at home.
Herbs have various therapeutic effects:
- St. John's wort strengthens the mucosa, and the phytoncides contained in it kill bacteria;
- chamomile is famous for its soothing and anti-inflammatory effect, therefore it is indispensable for long illness and damage to the mucosa;
- sage is a good antiseptic, and the tannins contained in it strengthen the nasal membranes;
- Calendula nourishes and restores the mucous membrane after damage.
Decoctions should not be made too strong. They should not cause burning or discomfort.
Important: you can not use decoctions of herbs for allergic rhinitis.
Soda
How to make a soda based nose wash solution? In fact, this substance has rather low antiseptic properties, so it is used not as a main component, but as an additive.
Most often, a combined solution of soda and salt is made.
Washing the nose for children
When it comes to babies, you always need to follow one principle - not to make it worse. Doctors still have not come to a consensus about the advisability of washing the nose in infants up to a year, some pediatricians do not recommend a procedure up to 4-5 years. In each case, it is important to consult with a specialist and get his approval for any manipulation of the child.
Typically, pediatricians may advise dropping a weak saline solution (teaspoon per liter of water) with a pipette, and then remove the liquid with mucus using an aspirator. In this case, it is necessary to control the volume of the drug, since the baby can choke.
Older children are washed upright with a syringe or syringe. The baby's head should be pushed forward and tilted, mouth open. The procedure begins with the introduction of a small volume of fluid into one nostril, the pressure increases gradually.
Important: all manipulations with the child should be carried out carefully, without rush and sudden movements - this will help to avoid possible injuries and tears.
For babies, the nose is washed with saline or vegetable solutions of home production, or pharmacy medicines.
Pharmacy preparations
A solution for washing the nose at home can be prepared on the basis of medicines. These include:
- Furacilin - the procedure requires a 0.02% concentration.
- Miramistin - 0.01% ready-made drug that is suitable for washing is sold in pharmacies.
- Protargol - for use, add 1-2 drops to a glass of water.
It is also worth mentioning separately the preparations based on sea water - “Aquamaris”, “Aqualor”, “Quick”. They differ in composition from self-prepared saline solutions by the presence of natural trace elements.
The advantages of using solutions
- Low invasiveness. Previously, the drug was delivered to the sinuses with a puncture, which increased the risk of repeated infection. Today, it is enough to use a special solution for washing the nose with sinusitis, which is highly likely to help avoid the intervention of the surgeon.
- Low cost components.
- Reducing the risk of frontal sinus infection.
- The possibility of self-treatment, which is very convenient, since after the procedure you can not go out in the cold. Even at a low subzero temperature, residual fluid in the sinuses will cause their overcooling.
disadvantages
- The most serious drawback is the possibility of spreading the infection to neighboring organs (ears and throat) if the procedure is not completely correct. This is possible even when all the manipulations are carried out by the doctor.
- Washing the nose is quite unpleasant, and causes discomfort. And if an adult is able to cope with emotions, then the child can arrange a tantrum.
- Some home solutions and pharmaceuticals dry the mucous membrane severely, which can cause damage to it or nosebleeds.
- In the case of a regular procedure, the natural secret is washed off, which provides protection of the nasal cavity from pollution and bacteria.