Nasal irrigation is the practice of moving a saline (saltwater) solution through the nasal cavity, and it’s an easy way to clear your sinuses at home. Flushing out your sinuses with saltwater might sound a little uncomfortable, but it can ease symptoms of colds, the flu, seasonal allergies and more. Plus, it’s perfectly safe when done properly.
Here, we’ll talk about the benefits of nasal irrigation, how it can help when you’re stuffed up and how to do it at home. We’ll also go over the types of nasal rinses you can try to help you breathe a little easier.
Benefits of nasal irrigation include cold and allergy symptom relief
While seasonal allergies and respiratory viruses like the common cold are caused by different things, their symptoms frequently overlap. This includes one of the most common – a stuffed-up nose. Over-the-counter products like cold medicines or antihistamines can work very well. But nasal irrigation, also called nasal rinsing, may help improve symptoms with and without the help of over-the-counter medicines. Here’s how:
- If you’re sniffling or have a runny nose, nasal irrigation can clear out the thin mucus to help you breathe easier.
- A nasal rinse can also thin out thick mucus clogging up your nose, making it easier to expel mucus when blowing your nose or coughing.
- In the winter, the air is dry which can lead to irritated, stuffy nasal cavities. Nasal rinsing provides much needed moisture to keep things moving.
- If you have annoying seasonal allergy symptoms, nasal rinsing can wash out pollen and other allergens that are irritating your nasal cavities
- Rinsing nasal passages before using medicated nasal sprays like Flonase can also improve the efficacy of the medicated spray.
How a nasal rinse can help with the common cold
While nasal irrigation can’t prevent a cold, it can help relieve and reduce the severity of cold symptoms.
When you get a cold, your sinus tissue becomes inflamed, which can lead to congestion. By using a nasal rinse, you wash away excess mucus and the chemicals your immune system releases that cause congestion, sore throat and other cold symptoms.
Studies are limited, but some have shown that performing nasal rinsing may shorten the duration of a cold. Additionally, nasal rinsing may prevent transmission of respiratory viruses to others, but it’s not a guarantee. You should still practice basic cold etiquette, like handwashing and covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
Nasal rinsing is safe and effective when done properly
Colds, sinus infections and other conditions that affect your nasal cavity are frustrating, and a nasal rinse can give you relief quickly when used correctly.
Nasal irrigation should have minimal, if any, side effects. You may feel a mild burning or stinging sensation in the nose that should go away quickly, or experience a light nosebleed. But the benefits of a nasal rinse far outweigh the risk of the possible side effects you may experience.
Types of nasal rinses
With a nasal rinse, only use warm bottled, filtered or distilled water, or saline solution purchased from a store. Do not use water straight from the tap as it can contain harmful bacteria. However, if tap water is your only option, make sure to boil it for 1-5 minutes and let it cool before it’s safe to use. Devices you can use to flush out your nasal passages with your safe water source include:
- Squeeze bottle – A soft plastic bottle that allows you to control the flow, pressure and volume of the solution.
- Neti pot – A teakettle-shaped pot that pours the saline solution from the spout into one nostril and out of the other.
- Battery-operated irrigator – These send a slow, pulsating stream of saline into your nose.
- Dual-action sinus rinse machines – These combine a saline wash with a gentle, built-in mechanical suction that pulls mucus and debris out of the nose.
How to make your own saline solution for nasal rinsing at home and how to use it properly
You can buy saline solution from your local drugstore, but you can also find relief right in your own kitchen. To make homemade nasal rinse, you’ll need to mix:
- 2 cups (.5 liters) of warm distilled, filtered or bottled water (do not use tap water unless it has been boiled for 1-5 minutes and cooled)
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of non-iodized salt (options include kosher salt, sea salt and plain table salt)
- A pinch of baking soda (this can help soothe any stinging you may experience)
How to rinse your nasal passages
After filling a sanitized device of your choosing with the solution:
- Tilt your head sideways to the right with your chin almost touching your chest over a sink or in the shower.
- Carefully pour or squeeze some of the solution into your left nostril (the water will drain out of your right nostril).
- Repeat on the other side.
- When you’ve irrigated both sides, gently blow your nose to get rid of any remaining mucus or water.
- Finally, thoroughly clean and dry the device you used.
If you notice fluid, pain or pressure in your ears during or after nasal irrigation, it’s best to temporarily stop and speak with your doctor. They can let you know when it’s safe to try again.
What not to do for nasal irrigation
There’s no need to do a nasal rinse if you aren’t stuffed up. It also shouldn’t be used as a preventive measure as nasal irrigation can’t prevent colds, allergies or sinus issues. Here’s what else you should consider when it comes to nasal washing.
Don’t use water straight from the tap if you make your own solution
Again, the most important thing to remember with nasal irrigation is to only use filtered, distilled or bottled water, sterile saline solution or tap water that’s been properly boiled, for the safest results.
And when performing nasal rinsing, don’t use plain water. Only use water that contains non-iodized salt or saline, because these treatments are more effective and less likely to irritate your nose.
Don’t forget to sanitize and dry your rinsing device
After you do a nasal rinse, ensure you thoroughly wash and dry your nasal irrigation device to avoid bacteria. That way, it’ll be ready for the next time you need to use it.
Try to do a nasal rinse before using nose sprays or other over-the-counter nasal medicines. Clean nostrils better absorb medicine, making them more effective in treating symptoms.
Don’t use a nasal rinse in certain situations
A nasal rinse isn’t a good option in all situations. For example, a nasal rinse should never be performed on young children or babies because of choking risks, lack of coordination and the potential for injuries to the delicate tissues in their nose.
Other circumstances where you should avoid nasal rinsing include:
- Recent surgery on your nasal cavity or ears
- If you have a current ear infection
- Recent trauma that affected your nose
In these situations, nasal irrigation can cause more harm than help. Instead of clearing you out, it can disrupt healing, increase bleeding risks or introduce bacteria into your body.
In addition, avoid nasal rinsing if your nose is completely blocked. The solution may travel to your eustachian tubes, which link your middle ear to the back of your nose and throat, and can cause an earache or ear infection.
Nothing helping a stuffy nose? It might be time to talk with a doctor.
If you’re experiencing cold or flu symptoms and home remedies like nasal irrigation aren’t helping manage your symptoms, it may be time to seek care. The good news is that you can often get care online.
At HealthPartners, you can start an e-visit for fast care. You’ll answer a few questions about your symptoms and we’ll send a diagnosis and treatment plan right to your inbox.
