Colds and allergies cause mucus to collect in the sinuses and nasal passages, making it painful and can lead to infection. Blowing your nose is effective only briefly, while many drugs cause drowsiness and other side effects. Therefore, many people try flushing their sinuses (also known as nasal irrigation) for a quick, effective and chemical-free solution. Nasal irrigation can also sometimes remove foreign objects such as powder, dust, and dirt. Research shows that regular use of nasal irrigations will significantly reduce the severity of sinus infections for those who are prone to this disease. Start learning how to flush your sinuses to treat nasal problems and reduce symptoms of sinus infections.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing the Equipment
Step 1. Choose an irrigation tool
Many types of irrigation tools to choose from. These tools can be purchased at pharmacies, naturopathic stores, and online. Variations vary depending on size, shape, and lifetime (some are disposable). Commonly used nasal irrigation devices include:
- Neti pots
- bulb syringe
- Squeeze bottle
Step 2. Use safe water
It is recommended to use bottled mineral water or boiling water that has been cooled because it is free from bacteria and microorganisms. Bacteria and microorganisms will damage the thin membrane in the sinuses.
- Using unsafe water can lead to bacterial infection and amoebic meningitis, a condition that is usually deadly.
- Distilled or sterile water is most ideal for irrigation. These waters can be purchased at the store and the packaging may say "distilled" or "sterile".
- You can make sterile water yourself. Boil tap water for three to five minutes, then cool until lukewarm. Do not use hot water because it will burn the sinus membranes
- Filtered water with pores measuring one micron or less is safe to use. This filter is small enough to retain microorganisms so that the filtered water is clean and bacteria free. These filters can be purchased at hardware stores or online. To find out more about this filter, visit this link.
Step 3. Purchase or make a saline solution
Special saline solutions for irrigation can be purchased at pharmacies, but you can also make your own using ingredients in your kitchen.
- Prepare a teaspoon of salt. Use only kosher, canned, or pickled salt. Do not use with iodine, anti-clotting agents, or preservatives as they will damage the nostrils and sinuses.
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with half a teaspoon of baking soda (baking soda).
- Add a pint of warm distilled, sterile, boiled and cooled water, or filtered to standard.
- Stir until the salt and baking soda are dissolved in the water. Add this solution to your irrigation device. Do not forget to use a sterile stirrer when mixing the solution.
Step 4. Take precautions
It is important to keep your irrigation equipment clean. The equipment must always be free of bacteria and other germs that will contaminate the irrigation device and potentially enter the sinus opening. Here are the steps to keep your irrigation equipment sanitary.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water before handling and using the irrigator. Dry your hands with a clean, disposable tissue.
- Wash the irrigator with distilled, sterile, boiled and then cooled water to keep the appliance free from contamination during washing. Let the appliance dry on its own, or wipe it with a clean tissue.
Part 2 of 2: Flushing the Sinuses
Step 1. Fill the irrigation tool
Whatever irrigation device you use, make sure it is properly cleaned. Fill the device with a saline solution that has been purchased or made yourself.
Step 2. Take a position
If the irrigation device is filled, you must adjust the position accordingly. Lean over the sink to prevent water from splattering (especially water that has passed through your sinuses.).
- Tilt your head to the side over the sink. Some experts recommend that the head be tilted 45 degrees to get the best water flow and water does not enter the mouth.
- When you are ready, gently insert the irrigator into the nostril that is close to the palate (the "upper" nostril, when the head is tilted). Do not insert it into the nose or against the septum, as this can cause discomfort and injury.
Step 3. Irrigation of the sinus pit
When the position and the irrigation device are ready, start flushing the nostrils with the solution. Do it slowly and carefully, especially if this is your first try.
- Breathe through the mouth. DO NOT breathe through the nose as the solution will be inhaled and enter the lungs, causing a choking hazard.
- Raise the handle of the irrigation tool slowly. If you are using a bulb syringe, please squeeze gently to remove the saline solution. If you are using a neti pot, just carefully pour the solution into your nostrils.
Step 4. Switch sides
When irrigation from one side has been completed, it is time to irrigate the other side of the nostril. Tilt your head on the opposite side so that the irrigated side is now on the “bottom”
Step 5. Clear the sinuses
When the solution in the apparatus has been used up and both sides have been watered, exhale through both nostrils before inhaling the air. Blow your nose to get rid of the remaining solution and mucus in the nose.
Tips
- Do watering over the sink. The amount of mucus that comes out of the nostrils is unpredictable.
- Baking soda is used to facilitate the dissolving of water and salt. If a suitable type of salt cannot be obtained, water alone will suffice. However, salt works to soothe the nostril membranes.
- Watering can be done one to four times a day. However, if the problem persists even after your flu has healed, see a doctor for a check-up.
- You may want to consult a healthcare provider to make sure your nose can be irrigated. Ask your doctor for help to learn how to irrigate your nose.
Warning
- Do not use table salt as a solution mixture. Table salt contains mostly iodine, which can cause irritation in the nasal passages. Kosher or acidified salt is safer because it does not contain chemicals that are harmful to the nostrils.
- Sinus irrigation should not be performed on toddlers because there is a risk of suffocation or choking. Nostril irrigation is safe in adults because they understand that during irrigation breathing should not be done through the nose. Always check with your doctor or pediatrician before using a neti pot or other device on young children.
- ONLY use clean water. Contaminated water is very harmful to the nostrils. Always boil tap water to remove any microorganisms in it.
