Saline nasal preparations are salt-water solutions used to help unblock a congested nose.
On this page, you can find the following information:
- What is saline and why is it used?
- What are saline sprays, drops and rinses used for?
- What saline nasal products can I buy?
- Can I make saline solutions at home?
- What are the side effects of saline nasal sprays, drops & rinses?
What is saline and why is it used?
Saline refers to the use of a salt-water solution. Plain water can irritate your nose. The saline allows the water to pass through delicate nasal membranes with little or no burning or irritation.
What are saline sprays, drops and rinses used for?
Saline nasal sprays and drops are used to treat a blocked nose (nasal congestion) in people with colds. It can help to thin the mucous and reduce the amount of secretion from the nose. It can be used safely in adults, children and babies.
In babies, only use the saline drops just before feeds and only if their nose is blocked. If saline is used too often, the skin around their nose may become a little sore.
Saline rinses can remove dust, pollen and other allergens or debris, as well as help to loosen thick mucus. They can help relieve nasal symptoms of sinus infections and allergies.
What saline nasal products can I buy?
| Examples of saline nasal sprays, drops and rinses that can be bought from the pharmacy |
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| Nasal drops |
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| Nasal spray |
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| Nasal rinse |
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Can I make saline solutions at home?
Babies and children
It is best to use saline products bought from the pharmacy. They come in the right strength and in the right device that makes them easy to use and store. If you cannot afford the saline products mentioned above, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Sinus rinse for adults
To rinse your nose:
- wash and dry your hands
- stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it
- sniff the water into one nostril at a time.
Repeat these steps until your nose feels more comfortable (you may not need to use all of the solution). You should make a fresh solution each day. Don't re-use a solution made the day before. Special devices, such as a sinus rinse bottle or neti pot, can be used instead of your hand. These are available from pharmacies. If you choose to use one of these, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions about using and cleaning it.
Why does water need to be boiled first?
When making up the saline nasal solution is important that the water used has been boiled and cooled. Tap water is not safe for use because it's not completely filtered or treated. Some tap water has a low level of bugs (bacteria) that may be safe to swallow (because the stomach acids kill them), but in your nose, these bugs can cause infection.
Boil the water for 3 to 5 minutes, then cool until it is lukewarm. Boiled water can be stored in a clean container for use within 24 hours.
What are the side effects of saline nasal sprays, drops & rinses?
Using saline drops, sprays and rinses is quite safe. They can sometimes cause mild discomfort and minor nose bleeds. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any discomfort, nose bleeds or ear pain.
Learn more
The following links have more information on saline nasal products. Be aware that websites from other countries may contain information that differs from New Zealand recommendations.
Saline nasal douches ENT Group, Auckland, NZ
Nasal irrigation – is it safe? Public Health, WA, Australia
Saline irrigation for sinus problems American Family Physician, US
Saline nasal irrigation Univ of Wisconsin, US
References
- Cold season in primary care BPAC, NZ, 2013
- Blocked nose in babies (snuffles) Patient Info, UK
- Do cough and cold medicines work in children? BPAC, NZ, 2010
- Sinusitis - treatment NHS, UK
- Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe? FDA, US, 2012