Sodium chloride for a runny nose

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How to properly rinse your nose with saline solution

Rinsing the nose with saline solution at home is a safe and useful procedure that helps to successfully treat a runny nose, fight allergies, and prevent the development of sinusitis at no extra cost.

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Doctors have known about the benefits of this manipulation for a long time and often advise their patients as an excellent prevention of vasomotor rhinitis during the cool season, with frequent colds and in situations where taking medications for some reason is undesirable: during pregnancy, nursing mothers, newborns.

What is saline solution - sodium chloride

Saline solution, or saline solution for short, is a simple saline solution. The salt content in the solution is 9 g/l. This concentration of salt is found in most human tissues, organs and blood. Saline solution, despite its name, does not contain all the substances necessary for the body, but is a liquid, as doctors say, isotonic to blood plasma.

For this reason, the use of this medicine is widespread:

  • Dilution of drugs for injection;
  • use as an antiseptic for treating wound surfaces, eyes, mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, nose;
  • replenishment of the normal physiological level of fluid in the body in case of dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, poisoning;
  • for inhalation with a nebulizer.

If we talk about using saline solution for rinsing the nose, its value is that it is well tolerated by the nasal mucosa (unlike ordinary water). When applied topically, there are no contraindications for use. The medicine is approved for expectant mothers, during breastfeeding, newborns, infants, allergy sufferers, and people with problems with internal organs. There are no restrictions on the time of use; the product can be used as many times as needed.

How to prepare saline solution at home

Sterile saline solution is sold in glass bottles of 250 and 400 ml, or in ampoules. The cost of such a product is low.

To rinse the nose, you can prepare the solution yourself. To make a saline solution for rinsing the nose, you should:

  1. Take 1 tsp. (9 g) salt.
  2. Dissolve it in 1 liter of water (boiled).
  3. Stir until the sediment dissolves or strain.

The solution prepared at home is not sterile and can only be used topically, for example, for rinsing the nose in adults and children over 3 years of age. The shelf life of homemade saline solution is one day. The temperature of the finished solution is 36C.

Is it possible to rinse a child’s nose with saline solution?

This method is recognized by otolaryngologists as unique in its simplicity, accessibility and effectiveness. With one simple rinse with saline, you can quickly remove nasal secretions and maintain the natural moisture of the nasal mucosa. This helps stop a runny nose and prevents the development of complications.

Is it possible to rinse a child’s nose with saline solution prepared by yourself? Quite. The main thing is to maintain the required concentration: one teaspoon per liter of boiled water. This water should taste a little salty. If you make the concentration lower, it will cause an unpleasant irritating sensation during rinsing. If it is more, then such a solution will dry out the mucous membrane too much, and possibly damage its cells.

How to rinse your nose with saline solution

There are several interesting ways to properly rinse your nose with saline as an adult:

  1. The simplest, but not the safest way. The liquid is poured into the palm of one hand. Next, we close the upper nostril with our finger, and try to strongly draw in the salt solution from the palm of the lower nostril so that the water flows freely through the nose and mouth. Don't close your mouth. Cleaning is carried out until the water is clean, without signs of mucus and dirt. The unsafety of this method is that by sucking in the solution through the nose, a person can contribute to the transfer of microbial contents from the mucous membrane into the paranasal sinuses or into the middle ear and, if hygiene rules are not followed, cause otitis media.
  2. Using a kettle. Interesting devices have been created for this procedure - a neti pot or a neti kettle, but an ordinary teapot will also work. Saline solution is poured into it, the head is tilted over the bathtub, the spout of the kettle is inserted into the nasal passage and the nasal cavity begins to be washed by gravity. The principle is the same: until clean water appears.
  1. With a syringe. How to rinse the nose with saline solution for an adult with a syringe? Fill the syringe with saline solution and discard the unnecessary needle. The contents should be introduced slowly and under slight pressure. Cleansing is carried out until the water flowing from the nose becomes clear.

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How to rinse a baby's nose with saline solution

For newborn children, it is more profitable to buy a nasal spray or sterile saline solution to clean their noses. If you need to make a solution at home, weigh all the ingredients on an electronic kitchen scale. The optimal salt content per 1 liter of water is 9 g.

Devices designed for adults (for example, a kettle) are not suitable for this. We need soft, gentle and non-traumatic methods. Therefore, saline solution is simply dropped into the spout from a pipette. Newborns - one or two drops into the nasal passage, from one year old - 3-5 drops. The procedure is carried out lying on the back with the head turned to one side or on the side. Softened crusts and dirt are removed from the spout with cotton swabs or swabs. If there is a lot of mucus and the child’s age allows, it is more convenient to use a nasal aspirator.

How to properly rinse a child's nose with saline solution

The reaction of children to such a procedure is most often negative, which children's doctors honestly warn parents about. Children do not like this kind of interference. Therefore, a lot of effort will have to be made to ensure that the manipulation is effective. The temperature of the saline solution for the procedure for a child should be slightly warmer than room temperature. It is better for kids to use a syringe or pipette for this; schoolchildren can use a kettle. In all cases, nasal cleansing is carried out over a bathtub or sink. You cannot quickly pour the solution; the entire manipulation should be done slowly so as not to cause injury to the baby and to make the actions performed comfortable.

How to rinse your nose during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the use of topical firasolution is not dangerous for the expectant mother and the fetus. Taking into account the restrictions on taking medications during this period, often the cleansing procedure with saline solution remains the only possible and effective one. It is worth paying attention to the salt concentration to avoid unnecessary drying of the inner lining of the nose.

How often can you rinse your nose?

Saline solution for rinsing the nose at home is used for hygienic care, against viruses, for inflammatory processes, and for allergies. As a means of hygiene during a respiratory illness, treatment with saline solution is repeated 2-3 times a day. As a preventive measure - 1-2 times a week. About a ml of solution is consumed at one time.

For what diseases can you rinse your nose with saline solution?

Conditions in which rinsing with saline solution will be useful:

  • Cold runny nose as a result of cooling;
  • vasomotor rhinitis;
  • runny nose of a viral nature;
  • allergic manifestations;
  • sinusitis, including purulent;
  • dry mucous membrane caused by various reasons (heating, air conditioning, working in rooms with a poor climate, etc.);
  • the formation of dense crusts in the noses of children.

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Rinsing the nose with saline solution for a runny nose

When rinsed, saline solution quickly stops a runny nose and significantly reduces the need for other medications, such as antibiotics. A timely and regular procedure for treating the nose with saline reduces swelling and frees the nose from excess secretions.

Rinsing the nose with saline solution for sinusitis

In case of sinusitis, saline solution is used to wash out pus from the sinuses, which prevents further spread of the infection. Cleansing sessions are carried out every one and a half or two hours. It is useful to alternate rinsing with saline solution with similar procedures with herbal formulations and the use of antibacterial drugs and antibiotics. It is important to remember that in order to cure sinusitis outside the hospital, saline solution is used as an additional technique aimed at preventing the stagnation of pus in the maxillary sinuses, and not as an independent treatment.

What else can you rinse your nose with, besides saline solution?

Pharmacy preparations for nasal rinsing

Nowadays, pharmacists have developed many natural products for caring for the nasal cavity. These are nasal sprays and drops based on sea water from the Aqualor, Aqua Maris, Otrivin Sea, Humer series, Morenazal, Quix, Dolphin and others. They contain natural purified water from seas or oceans in optimal concentration. The design of these products allows you to accurately dose the saline solution, and various attachments and accessories make their use convenient for children from birth. The only disadvantage of such drugs is the high cost and small volume.

Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs

In addition to saline solution, the nose is washed with decoctions and herbal infusions. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour a tablespoon of herbs or collection into a glass and pour boiling water over it. After this, cover the glass with a lid and let stand for 30 minutes. After cooling, the herbal infusion is ready for rinsing. Among the medicinal herbs, herbs with an aseptic effect are suitable:

Antimicrobial nasal rinses

The indication for rinsing with antimicrobial agents is the presence of a pronounced purulent process in the nasal cavity and sinuses. In all other cases, wash with clean saline solution.

Among the antimicrobial rinsing agents, the following are worth mentioning:

  1. Furacilin. An affordable and popular remedy for topical use. It is also acceptable for cleansing and hygiene of the nasopharynx. It is available in the form of an aqueous pharmaceutical solution and in tablet format, which must be crushed and diluted in warm water. You cannot use a topical alcohol solution of furatsilin, as this can lead to extensive swelling.
  2. Dioxidine. This synthetic antibacterial drug is prescribed for treating the nasal cavity for bacterial inflammation and sinusitis. A ready-made 1% solution is sold in pharmacy chains. This product can cause a serious allergic reaction; before use, be sure to conduct an allergy test to determine tolerance. The maximum permissible dose of the drug for intracavitary use is 70 ml per day, that is, 35 ml in each nasal passage.
  3. Miramistin. Antiseptic with a very wide spectrum of effects. In the nasal cavity it is capable of destroying almost all types of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Doctors recommend the use of this remedy for treating the inner cavity of the nose for all types of runny nose and to get rid of sinusitis. Available in the form of a 0.01% solution for topical use.
  4. Chlorhexidine. Safe drug with aseptic action. It is used for irrigation of mucous membranes and is a 0.05% solution. Safety equal to sodium chloride solution.

Antimicrobial agents are similar in action to saline solution, but their choice should be discussed with a specialist, taking into account the specifics of their use.

Precautions when rinsing your nose

Small children should be careful when rinsing their noses with saline solution. Pour the liquid gradually and slowly, and administer it drop by drop to newborns and infants. For children, the main danger of manipulation is the entry of liquid contents into the cavity of the middle ear, larynx, and trachea.

When not to rinse your nose

Saline solution for rinsing the nose at home is a local ENT procedure; it does not affect the general condition of the body and has no contraindications for use.

A solution of sodium chloride salt as a hygienic procedure during rhinitis can be used 2-3 times a day. You should not rely on the effectiveness of saline solution as an independent treatment. In complex and advanced cases, you should seek help from an otolaryngologist.

As a preventive measure, people predisposed to respiratory diseases may be recommended to wash them daily during seasonal exacerbations.

Conclusion

Rinsing the nose with saline is a safe procedure that is acceptable for everyone: from newborn babies to the elderly. As a hygienic and preventive measure, this procedure can be carried out daily if necessary, including by pregnant and nursing mothers.

It is easy to prepare the healing liquid yourself from water and ordinary salt.

The method of carrying out the procedure is different for everyone: some like to do it with a special teapot, others use a syringe or the palm of their hand.

Alternatives to cleansing the nose with sodium chloride solution are similar manipulations with medicinal herbs or antimicrobial drugs.

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Thank you, very useful article. My daughter was just prescribed a nasal rinse because of an allergy.

Dolphin is perhaps the best nasal rinse, the most painless and effective

My husband’s grandmother recommends rinsing his nose with saline solution at every opportunity: both for treatment and for prevention. By the way, he says that using a syringe is more convenient than using a teapot. I am terribly afraid of water and the very thought that I need to voluntarily pour water into my nose horrifies me, but my husband has been accustomed to this procedure since childhood, so he does it to himself absolutely calmly. He says: “Cheap and cheerful. Effective and without chemicals.” Here, of course, everything is individual.

Source: http://www.pulmonologiya.com/preparaty/nasmork/fizrastvor.html

Treatment of runny nose with saline solution in children and adults

Doctors are dumbfounded! Protection against FLU and COLDS!

Just need it before bed.

Saline solution has been used in medicine for a long time, and its scope is quite wide. Wounds, oral cavity, eyes are washed with this drug, medications are diluted with it, it is injected into the blood intravenously in case of pathological loss of fluid and intoxication of the body.

Among other things, sodium chloride (the chemical name of the substance) prepared on a water basis is an effective assistant in the treatment of the upper respiratory tract: saline solution saves both adults and children from runny nose.

How to properly prepare saline solution

To prepare a saline solution, NaCl (ordinary table salt) is added to water purified from impurities. 9 grams of salt are diluted in one liter of water. The resulting solution concentration is 0.9%. This proportion must be strictly observed.

Ready-made saline solution is sold at the pharmacy.

What role does saline play in relieving the symptoms of a runny nose?

Getting on the nasal mucosa, sodium chloride activates the following processes on its surface:

  • a new secretion is produced and stagnant mucus is removed;
  • inflammation is relieved;
  • bacteria are destroyed;
  • microflora is restored.

As a result, there is relief from the unpleasant symptoms of a runny nose.

How to properly rinse your nose

To rinse the nasal mucosa, use a small syringe or syringe. You can also buy a special device for this procedure at the pharmacy. Each item must be disinfected before use.

When performing a nasal shower, the head must be tilted so that the solution injected into the nostril in a small stream flows out through the other nostril.

Please note: This procedure is for adults and children over four years of age only. Rinsing the nose of children is prohibited due to the possibility of developing otitis media, as well as penetration of fluid into the lower respiratory tract.

The procedure for administering nasal drops

Anyone can drip saline solution into their nose. This type of treatment is indicated for children, including infants. However, you need to take into account that infants can be treated for a runny nose only on the recommendation of a pediatrician.

For a newborn, up to 2 drops of saline solution are instilled into the nostril; for older children and adults, the dose of the drug can be slightly increased.

Each new procedure is carried out with a disinfected pipette. At the end of treatment, it is recommended to stay in a warm room for half an hour. For a slight runny nose, two or three doses of the drug per day are sufficient. In case of severe runny nose, the number of procedures is increased.

Carrying out inhalations

Sodium chloride is also used to relieve the symptoms of a runny nose in the form of inhalations. A sterile solution is used for these purposes; it is recommended to buy it at a pharmacy.

It is better to do inhalations using a special device - an inhaler, since performing the procedure over a container of boiling water is unsafe. There is a risk of getting a burn to the mucous membrane or spilling boiling water on yourself.

An inhalation device such as a nebulizer has proven itself well in the fight against the runny nose. The solution placed in it under pressure breaks down into microscopic droplets. Small water particles quickly interact with the inflamed mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and penetrate into the most inaccessible areas of the respiratory tract. When inhaled, the pure solution irrigates the surface of the nasopharynx and helps reduce swelling and the amount of mucus.

Inhalations should be repeated two to five times a day.

Inhalations with saline solution are also great for coughs, read more about this here.

And cough herbion will help cope with any coughing attack in children or adults.

Inhalations in a child

Inhalation of sodium chloride is indicated for children of any age, including newborns. Before the procedure, the saline solution is heated. Its temperature should not exceed 37ºС. The volume of saline solution for inhalation is from two to four milliliters. Session duration is from one to three minutes for children under 6 years of age. The number of sessions per day should not exceed four.

For saline treatment to be effective, perform inhalations according to the following rules:

  • Carry out the procedure no earlier than an hour after eating.
  • After treatment, stay warm for at least an hour and refrain from eating or drinking.
  • If inhalation is carried out using a nebulizer, explain to the child that his breathing should be natural, as under normal conditions.
  • Dress your child in light clothes made of natural fabric.
  • Disinfect the device used for inhalation. Boil all components and containers at the end of the procedure, if possible, or rinse thoroughly.

There are contraindications when using a steam inhaler if the water in it is heated above 40ºC. Inhalation is prohibited in the following cases:

  • Children under four years old.
  • At elevated body temperature.
  • If your ears hurt.
  • If streaks of blood and pus are discharged from the nose.

If carried out correctly, inhalation will not cause damage to the body. It is prohibited to add various ingredients to the sodium chloride solution without consulting a pediatrician.

Saline solution is not a universal remedy; this drug only alleviates the symptoms of the disease and helps remove mucus. Therefore, in case of serious signs of illness, inhalation is used in combination with other drugs prescribed by the doctor.

A specialist in the field of functional diagnostics, rehabilitation therapy for patients with respiratory diseases, develops and conducts training programs for patients with bronchial asthma and COPD. Author of 17 scientific papers on the treatment of the respiratory system.

Source: http://ovdohe.ru/lekarstva/fizrastvor-ot-nasmorka.html

Sodium chloride for children with a runny nose

Sodium chloride instructions

Instructions for use of Sodium chloride, capable of providing rehydrating and detoxifying effects, contains all the necessary information about it, including information on its release form and packaging, as well as expiration dates and storage conditions. The pharmacology of the solution and indications for use are described here in detail, where step-by-step recommendations for its use and dosage are given.

In addition to instructions for various categories of patients, the instructions contain instructions regarding precautions, which talk about overdose, side effects and contraindications to the use of the drug. Drug interactions of sodium chloride with other medications are also described and a number of additional instructions are given.

In conclusion, the accompanying sheet will familiarize the patient with analogues of the solution, its cost and reviews of those people who have already used it.

Sodium chloride solution: form, packaging

The drug is released in the form of a clear, colorless solution for infusion at a concentration of 0.9%.

The solution is supplied to pharmacies in cardboard boxes containing Viaflo containers of 50, 100, 250, 500 milliliters or 1 liter. Depending on the volume of the container, there can be from 10 to 50 pieces in the box.

Storage period and conditions

Places where the drug is stored should be inaccessible to children. Acceptable room temperature should not be higher than 25 degrees. The shelf life of the solution directly depends on the volume of the container.

  • 50 milliliters – one and a half years;
  • 100 milliliters – two years;
  • 1000, 500, 250 milliliters – three years.

Pharmacology

Having effects on the body such as detoxification and rehydration, a solution of Sodium chloride is also capable of replenishing sodium deficiency in the presence of any pathology and temporarily increasing the volume of fluid in the vessels.

Due to its composition, which contains chloride and sodium ions, the solution stimulates signal transmission in brain neurons, as well as electrophysiological processes in the heart and renal metabolism.

Sodium excretion occurs mostly through the kidneys. A small amount is excreted in sweat and feces.

Sodium chloride indications for use

Sodium chloride solution is indicated for those patients who require isotonic extracellular dehydration, as well as for hyponatremia. The drug is also used as a base solution for diluting and dissolving medications for parenteral administration.

Sodium chloride contraindications

The drug Sodium chloride is contraindicated for use in patients with the following diseases and conditions:

  • For hypernatremia, extracellular hyperhydration, hypokalemia, acidosis, hyperchloremia;
  • In case of circulatory disorders that may threaten pulmonary or cerebral edema;
  • In the presence of pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, as well as acute left ventricular failure;
  • When prescribing concomitant treatment consisting of large doses of corticosteroids.

You should also take into account contraindications for those medications that will be added to the sodium chloride solution.

The drug requires careful use

  • For decompensated chronic heart failure;
  • For arterial hypertension;
  • In the presence of peripheral edema;
  • For preeclampsia;
  • In case of chronic renal failure;
  • For aldosteronism and other conditions associated with sodium retention in the body.

Sodium chloride instructions for use

The solution is used by intravenous drip. The dosage regimen is determined by the doctor. The dosage of the drug itself is calculated taking into account the age and weight of the patient, as well as his condition and fluid loss from the body. When prescribing Sodium chloride, it is necessary to constantly monitor the concentration of electrolytes in urine and plasma.

Adults can be prescribed from 500 milliliters to 3 liters per day.

Children are prescribed from 20 to 100 milliliters per 1 kilogram of weight per day.

The patient's condition will affect the rate of drug administration.

When using the drug Sodium chloride as a base solution, take no more than 250 milliliters per single dose.

Sodium chloride during pregnancy

For pregnant women and nursing mothers, the use of sodium chloride solution is not contraindicated.

Sodium chloride for children

Because children's kidney function has not yet matured, sodium excretion may be slower. Because of this, if it is necessary to re-administer the drug, its plasma concentration should first be determined.

Sodium chloride for nasal rinsing

Perhaps a more affordable, but no less effective and multifunctional drug, called by many saline, is unlikely to be found. An aqueous solution of Sodium chloride is used not only for diluting medications and intravenous infusions, but also to wash wounds with it, eyes and nasal mucosa.

Rinsing the nasal cavity with a solution of Sodium Chloride serves as a fairly effective preventive as well as therapeutic agent for acute respiratory diseases. You can rinse your nose by carefully dropping the drug solution into each nasal passage with a pipette.

Similar procedures can be used for any category of patients, including pregnant women and infants. However, it is advisable to entrust infants to doctors in order to avoid the development of otitis media if an aqueous solution gets into the baby’s ear along with an infection. For adults and older children, nasal rinsing by inhalation may be recommended.

Side effects

When using the drug Sodium chloride, acidosis, overhydration and hypokalemia may occur as side effects. However, correct use of the solution practically eliminates the possibility of their manifestation.

When Sodium Chloride is used as a base solution for dissolving other medications, then the side effects can be determined solely by their properties. If the manifestation of undesirable effects occurs, then the administration of the drug should be suspended and measures taken in accordance with the patient’s condition. If necessary, the solution should be analyzed in the laboratory.

If side effects worsen or new ones appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose of sodium chloride solution may appear as:

  • Nausea attacks
  • Vomiting process
  • Diarrhea,
  • Spasmodic pain in the abdominal area,
  • The onset of thirst
  • Decreased salivation and lacrimation,
  • Sweating
  • Feverish state
  • Tachycardia,
  • Increased blood pressure,
  • Kidney failure
  • Peripheral edema,
  • pulmonary edema,
  • Stopping breathing
  • Headache
  • Dizziness,
  • Feeling uneasy
  • Irritability,
  • Weakness
  • Muscle cramps and rigidity,
  • Generalized seizures,
  • Coma and death.

Also, with excessive administration of Sodium chloride, hypernatremia or hyperchlorimic acidosis may occur.

If such symptoms indicate an overdose, you should stop administering the solution and, after assessing the patient’s condition, carry out symptomatic treatment procedures.

Drug interactions

There are no known drug interactions between sodium chloride and other medications.

However, when using the solution as a solvent for drugs, their compatibility can be monitored visually. For example, when mixing drugs, insoluble complexes, crystals, sediment, or discoloration may be warning signs.

In addition, before combining drugs, you should carefully study the instructions for what is to be diluted.

Additional instructions

When performing any infusion, the patient’s condition should be monitored, both clinical and biological indicators. For children, it is necessary to determine plasma in the blood if a repeat procedure is necessary.

The solution, ready for use, must be extremely clear and the packaging must not be damaged. To avoid air embolism, do not connect plastic containers in series, introducing the solution only after connecting to the infusion system.

The equipment for the procedure should not raise doubts about sterility, and antiseptic rules should not be neglected. If it is necessary to add another drug to the solution, you can directly inject it during the infusion into the area of ​​the container that is specifically intended for this purpose.

Check drugs for their pharmacological compatibility only before dissolution. Prepared solutions cannot be stored, so they must be administered immediately after dilution.

If a patient reacts to the drug in the form of fever, the administration of the solution should be stopped immediately.

Viaflo containers must be used strictly according to the attached instructions. After their single use, they should be discarded, like all unused doses. Reuse of containers is not permitted.

For those categories of patients who work with machinery and drive vehicles, there are no descriptions of the effect of the drug.

Sodium chloride analogues

During treatment, you can replace the drug with its analogues, the choice of which must be agreed with your doctor.

As preparations similar to sodium chloride solution, one can consider such drugs as No-sol, Salin, Fitodose, Aquamaris and others.

Sodium chloride price

The drug sodium chloride solution has an affordable price and can be purchased at any pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. Its cost does not exceed 30 rubles per package.

Sodium chloride reviews

Reviews about the drug Sodium chloride solution are extremely positive. And if its use for infusions is allowed only by medical workers, then for independent use, many use it as a solution for rinsing the nose for a runny nose, as well as the eyes if necessary.

Those who have used saline solution for these purposes find it quite effective at an affordable price and consider it a worthy replacement for expensive drugs of similar action.

There are a lot of reviews, so we will list those that were among the last to be left.

Christina: When there is a small child in the family, the home medicine cabinet should never be empty. So, from the very birth of our baby, our first aid kit is constantly replenished with various medicines, especially for rinsing the nose. The drugs are not cheap, but you don’t pay attention to the price when you need to help your baby and make his breathing easier by clearing his nose of snot. One day, to my surprise, I learned, and I don’t remember from what source, that expensive medications to relieve nasal congestion can be successfully replaced with saline solution of Sodium chloride, and it is absolutely safe not only for adults, but also for children. In addition, a package of the solution costs mere pennies, and its volume can be equated to a year’s supply for the whole family. It’s just that the bottle, which is hermetically sealed, should not be opened, taking out the required amount of liquid with a syringe. It is noteworthy that the solution costs mere pennies, but works very effectively, in no way inferior to advertised products of this type. The drug can also be used for inhalation for colds and when necessary, washing the eyes. However, we have only used it to cleanse the nose so far and are very pleased with the result.

Alena: None of the parents wants the child to catch a cold and tries in every possible way to prevent hypothermia. However, during viral epidemics, it is doubly offensive to get sick not from neglecting the rules that should be followed to avoid catching a cold, but simply from becoming infected from other sick children, for example, when visiting a kindergarten or school. To avoid this, you just need to take care of prevention and timely rinsing of the child’s nose. In our family, this has become a strict rule, and after every trip to public places, when ARVI or flu is spreading around the city, we clean our noses of everything that has managed to penetrate them. The same procedures are also good at the first signs of a runny nose, when the snot that forms to fight the infection begins to dry out, further contributing to its development. And we use an inexpensive and very effective preparation for these purposes, sodium chloride saline solution, which we have known about for a long time since our childhood.

Margarita: I have been using Sodium Chloride solution for a long time and find it quite effective for rinsing the nose. The drug works no worse than other drugs of similar action, which differ significantly in price. However, when the result is the same, why pay extra. In addition, saline solution is often the active ingredient in expensive sprays, which means that we only pay so much for convenient packaging with a dispensing pipette.

Yana: As soon as the cold season begins, willy-nilly you begin to think more about preserving your health and filling your home medicine cabinet. Last year, my little son suffered from bronchitis, as a result of which we were forced to get acquainted with many drugs, including the saline solution Sodium chloride, which we used very actively, and in several ways, and were so pleased with its result that now the bottle with the drug is not never leaves our medicine cabinet. As prescribed in the treatment, we used saline solution for inhalation, both for diluting other medications and independently. Then, on the doctor’s recommendation, they also began to use it to rinse the nose. When the disease subsided, I took note of the saline solution and since then we have not only been using it for treatment, but also to prevent it by periodically washing the nose during mass influenza and acute respiratory viral infections.

Alla: I first learned about saline solution in the hospital, when they washed the baby’s nose with it. After leaving the hospital, I went straight to the pharmacy and, comparing it with the drug Aquamaris, which was previously used for these purposes, I discovered that the only difference was in the packaging and, of course, in the price. In addition, the volume of the bottle also makes you think about the cost. Now we only use Sodium Chloride during illnesses, which has a significant impact on saving the family budget.

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Rinsing the nose with saline solution at home is a safe and useful procedure that helps to successfully treat a runny nose, fight allergies, and prevent the development of sinusitis at no extra cost. Doctors have known about the benefits of this manipulation for a long time and often advise their patients as an excellent prevention of vasomotor rhinitis during the cool season, with frequent colds and in situations where taking medications for some reason is undesirable: during pregnancy, nursing mothers, newborns.

What is saline solution - sodium chloride

Saline solution, or saline solution for short, is a simple saline solution. The salt content in the solution is 9 g/l. This concentration of salt is found in most human tissues, organs and blood. Saline solution, despite its name, does not contain all the substances necessary for the body, but is a liquid, as doctors say, isotonic to blood plasma.

For this reason, the use of this medicine is widespread:

  • Dilution of drugs for injection;
  • use as an antiseptic for treating wound surfaces, eyes, mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, nose;
  • replenishment of the normal physiological level of fluid in the body in case of dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, poisoning;
  • for inhalation with a nebulizer.

If we talk about using saline solution for rinsing the nose, its value is that it is well tolerated by the nasal mucosa (unlike ordinary water). When applied topically, there are no contraindications for use. The medicine is approved for expectant mothers, during breastfeeding, newborns, infants, allergy sufferers, and people with problems with internal organs. There are no restrictions on the time of use; the product can be used as many times as needed.

How to prepare saline solution at home

Sterile saline solution is sold in glass bottles of 250 and 400 ml, or in ampoules. The cost of such a product is low.

To rinse the nose, you can prepare the solution yourself. To make a saline solution for rinsing the nose, you should:

  1. Take 1 tsp. (9 g) salt.
  2. Dissolve it in 1 liter of water (boiled).
  3. Stir until the sediment dissolves or strain.

The solution prepared at home is not sterile and can only be used topically, for example, for rinsing the nose in adults and children over 3 years of age. The shelf life of homemade saline solution is one day. The temperature of the finished solution is 36C.

Is it possible to rinse a child’s nose with saline solution?

This method is recognized by otolaryngologists as unique in its simplicity, accessibility and effectiveness. With one simple rinse with saline, you can quickly remove nasal secretions and maintain the natural moisture of the nasal mucosa. This helps stop a runny nose and prevents the development of complications.

Is it possible to rinse a child’s nose with saline solution prepared by yourself? Quite. The main thing is to maintain the required concentration: one teaspoon per liter of boiled water. This water should taste a little salty. If you make the concentration lower, it will cause an unpleasant irritating sensation during rinsing. If it is more, then such a solution will dry out the mucous membrane too much, and possibly damage its cells.

How to rinse your nose with saline solution

There are several interesting ways to properly rinse your nose with saline as an adult:

  1. The simplest, but not the safest way. The liquid is poured into the palm of one hand. Next, we close the upper nostril with our finger, and try to strongly draw in the salt solution from the palm of the lower nostril so that the water flows freely through the nose and mouth. Don't close your mouth. Cleaning is carried out until the water is clean, without signs of mucus and dirt. The unsafety of this method is that by sucking in the solution through the nose, a person can contribute to the transfer of microbial contents from the mucous membrane into the paranasal sinuses or into the middle ear and, if hygiene rules are not followed, cause otitis media.
  2. Using a kettle. Interesting devices have been created for this procedure - a neti pot or a neti kettle, but an ordinary teapot will also work. Saline solution is poured into it, the head is tilted over the bathtub, the spout of the kettle is inserted into the nasal passage and the nasal cavity begins to be washed by gravity. The principle is the same: until clean water appears.
  1. With a syringe. How to rinse the nose with saline solution for an adult with a syringe? Fill the syringe with saline solution and discard the unnecessary needle. The contents should be introduced slowly and under slight pressure. Cleansing is carried out until the water flowing from the nose becomes clear.

How to rinse a baby's nose with saline solution

For newborn children, it is more profitable to buy a nasal spray or sterile saline solution to clean their noses. If you need to make a solution at home, weigh all the ingredients on an electronic kitchen scale. The optimal salt content per 1 liter of water is 9 g.

Devices designed for adults (for example, a kettle) are not suitable for this. We need soft, gentle and non-traumatic methods. Therefore, saline solution is simply dropped into the spout from a pipette. Newborns - one or two drops into the nasal passage, from one year old - 3-5 drops. The procedure is carried out lying on the back with the head turned to one side or on the side. Softened crusts and dirt are removed from the spout with cotton swabs or swabs. If there is a lot of mucus and the child’s age allows, it is more convenient to use a nasal aspirator.

How to properly rinse a child's nose with saline solution

The reaction of children to such a procedure is most often negative, which children's doctors honestly warn parents about. Children do not like this kind of interference. Therefore, a lot of effort will have to be made to ensure that the manipulation is effective. The temperature of the saline solution for the procedure for a child should be slightly warmer than room temperature. It is better for kids to use a syringe or pipette for this; schoolchildren can use a kettle. In all cases, nasal cleansing is carried out over a bathtub or sink. You cannot quickly pour the solution; the entire manipulation should be done slowly so as not to cause injury to the baby and to make the actions performed comfortable.

How to rinse your nose during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the use of topical firasolution is not dangerous for the expectant mother and the fetus. Taking into account the restrictions on taking medications during this period, often the cleansing procedure with saline solution remains the only possible and effective one. It is worth paying attention to the salt concentration to avoid unnecessary drying of the inner lining of the nose.

How often can you rinse your nose?

Saline solution for rinsing the nose at home is used for hygienic care, against viruses, for inflammatory processes, and for allergies. As a means of hygiene during a respiratory illness, treatment with saline solution is repeated 2-3 times a day. As a preventive measure - 1-2 times a week. About a ml of solution is consumed at one time.

For what diseases can you rinse your nose with saline solution?

Conditions in which rinsing with saline solution will be useful:

  • Cold runny nose as a result of cooling;
  • vasomotor rhinitis;
  • runny nose of a viral nature;
  • allergic manifestations;
  • sinusitis, including purulent;
  • dry mucous membrane caused by various reasons (heating, air conditioning, working in rooms with a poor climate, etc.);
  • the formation of dense crusts in the noses of children.

Rinsing the nose with saline solution for a runny nose

When rinsed, saline solution quickly stops a runny nose and significantly reduces the need for other medications, such as antibiotics. A timely and regular procedure for treating the nose with saline reduces swelling and frees the nose from excess secretions.

Rinsing the nose with saline solution for sinusitis

In case of sinusitis, saline solution is used to wash out pus from the sinuses, which prevents further spread of the infection. Cleansing sessions are carried out every one and a half or two hours. It is useful to alternate rinsing with saline solution with similar procedures with herbal formulations and the use of antibacterial drugs and antibiotics. It is important to remember that in order to cure sinusitis outside the hospital, saline solution is used as an additional technique aimed at preventing the stagnation of pus in the maxillary sinuses, and not as an independent treatment.

What else can you rinse your nose with, besides saline solution?

Pharmacy preparations for nasal rinsing

Nowadays, pharmacists have developed many natural products for caring for the nasal cavity. These are nasal sprays and drops based on sea water from the Aqualor, Aqua Maris, Otrivin Sea, Humer series, Morenazal, Quix, Dolphin and others. They contain natural purified water from seas or oceans in optimal concentration. The design of these products allows you to accurately dose the saline solution, and various attachments and accessories make their use convenient for children from birth. The only disadvantage of such drugs is the high cost and small volume.

Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs

In addition to saline solution, the nose is washed with decoctions and herbal infusions. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour a tablespoon of herbs or collection into a glass and pour boiling water over it. After this, cover the glass with a lid and let stand for 30 minutes. After cooling, the herbal infusion is ready for rinsing. Among the medicinal herbs, herbs with an aseptic effect are suitable:

Antimicrobial nasal rinses

The indication for rinsing with antimicrobial agents is the presence of a pronounced purulent process in the nasal cavity and sinuses. In all other cases, wash with clean saline solution.

Among the antimicrobial rinsing agents, the following are worth mentioning:

  1. Furacilin. An affordable and popular remedy for topical use. It is also acceptable for cleansing and hygiene of the nasopharynx. It is available in the form of an aqueous pharmaceutical solution and in tablet format, which must be crushed and diluted in warm water. You cannot use a topical alcohol solution of furatsilin, as this can lead to extensive swelling.
  2. Dioxidine. This synthetic antibacterial drug is prescribed for treating the nasal cavity for bacterial inflammation and sinusitis. A ready-made 1% solution is sold in pharmacy chains. This product can cause a serious allergic reaction; before use, be sure to conduct an allergy test to determine tolerance. The maximum permissible dose of the drug for intracavitary use is 70 ml per day, that is, 35 ml in each nasal passage.
  3. Miramistin. Antiseptic with a very wide spectrum of effects. In the nasal cavity it is capable of destroying almost all types of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Doctors recommend the use of this remedy for treating the inner cavity of the nose for all types of runny nose and to get rid of sinusitis. Available in the form of a 0.01% solution for topical use.
  4. Chlorhexidine. Safe drug with aseptic action. It is used for irrigation of mucous membranes and is a 0.05% solution. Safety equal to sodium chloride solution.

Antimicrobial agents are similar in action to saline solution, but their choice should be discussed with a specialist, taking into account the specifics of their use.

Precautions when rinsing your nose

Small children should be careful when rinsing their noses with saline solution. Pour the liquid gradually and slowly, and administer it drop by drop to newborns and infants. For children, the main danger of manipulation is the entry of liquid contents into the cavity of the middle ear, larynx, and trachea.

For adult patients, you should pay attention to the likelihood of drying out the mucous membrane with frequent use of a solution with a high percentage of salt.

When not to rinse your nose

Saline solution for rinsing the nose at home is a local ENT procedure; it does not affect the general condition of the body and has no contraindications for use.

A solution of sodium chloride salt as a hygienic procedure during rhinitis can be used 2-3 times a day. You should not rely on the effectiveness of saline solution as an independent treatment. In complex and advanced cases, you should seek help from an otolaryngologist.

As a preventive measure, people predisposed to respiratory diseases may be recommended to wash them daily during seasonal exacerbations.

The studio provides practical advice for proper nasal rinsing.

Conclusion

Rinsing the nose with saline is a safe procedure that is acceptable for everyone: from newborn babies to the elderly. As a hygienic and preventive measure, this procedure can be carried out daily if necessary, including by pregnant and nursing mothers.

It is easy to prepare the healing liquid yourself from water and ordinary salt.

The method of carrying out the procedure is different for everyone: some like to do it with a special teapot, others use a syringe or the palm of their hand.

Alternatives to cleansing the nose with sodium chloride solution are similar manipulations with medicinal herbs or antimicrobial drugs.

Saline solution is the simplest and most accessible drug that is used when a runny nose occurs. It clears the sinuses and makes breathing easier, does not cause allergic reactions, so it can be used for very young children. Dr. Komarovsky draws attention to the fact that a runny nose is not a disease, but just a symptom, and the cause must be treated first, not the effect.

Properties and purpose

Saline solution is a solution of sodium chloride (table salt) in distilled water in a concentration corresponding to blood plasma and tissue fluids, about 0.9%.

It is widely used in medicine. Used for detoxification, dilution of medications, for dehydration, reducing the concentration of sodium chloride, in some cases it is a blood substitute. Often used for rinsing and instillation for rhinitis, it helps to thin and remove mucus accumulated in the nose.

There are several varieties that differ in composition: disol, lactasol, trisol. Treatment of a runny nose can be carried out with any of them or you can prepare a saline solution yourself.

Instructions for use

The causes of a runny nose vary. These include viral infections, allergic reactions, and dry dusty air. The snot that forms in the nose acts as a barrier that prevents infection from entering deeper into the body. If they dry out, conditions will be created for the development of bronchitis or pneumonia.

Treatment for runny nose in children requires compliance with the following rules:

If the child’s nasal discharge is abundant and liquid, then there is no need to instill saline solution into the nose. Its pharmacological action is to remove muconasal secretions or nasal mucus. If the baby’s body copes with this task on its own, then there is no need to help him further.

Dr. Komarovsky defines the main task of parents with a runny nose, not as getting rid of mucus, but as preventing it from drying out.

  • Saline solution should be used if the child has thick snot and hard crusts form in the nose.
  • The prescription and dosage of medications for the baby should be made by a doctor.
  • Before use, it is recommended to slightly warm the saline solution to human body temperature to make the procedure more comfortable. 1-2 drops are instilled into each nostril 3-6 times a day.
  • If the viscosity of the mucus increases, then Komarovsky recommends dripping half a pipette into the nostril every hour.
  • If a runny nose prevents the child from sleeping normally, then at night you can use a vasoconstrictor drug, for example, children's Nazivin. Treatment should not be long-term, the drug is addictive.
  • Discharge from the baby's nose protects the inflamed mucous surface from drying out. It is forbidden to remove mucus from the nose using a rubber bulb; instead of a positive result, this will lead to additional swelling.

Infants should not inject sprays into the respiratory tract, do inhalations or rinse the nose. Such treatment can cause fluid to enter the ear canal, which can lead to otitis media.

In children under 12 weeks of age, a runny nose is not always a symptom of a cold. After birth, the baby's airways work only partially and gradually adapt to external conditions. During this period, most children develop a runny nose. The child sniffles, sleeps with his mouth open, and has runny snot.

Although saline solution has no side effects and is considered safe for children of any age, it is not advisable to instill it without reason. Any medical procedure, even such a simple one, is additional stress for both the baby and the parents.

With a physiological runny nose, the baby does not require treatment. If no symptoms of ARVI appear, then there is no need to bury the nose.

Advice from Dr. Komarovsky

Instillation of liquid into the nose of an infant should be done with caution, as there is a possibility of it entering the Eustachian tube and lower respiratory tract. Therefore, before using medication treatment, Komarovsky advises using other methods of moisturizing the nasal mucosa:

  • Since during the course of rhinitis the body loses more fluid than normal, it is necessary to provide additional fluids. You can drink boiled or purified water and baby tea.
  • It is recommended to ventilate the room and maintain the air temperature no higher than 22°C; 18-19°C is considered optimal. Dr. Komarovsky’s rule states that it is better to overcool a child than to overheat.
  • During the hot season, the child should wear a minimum of clothing, he should receive enough water and take a bath regularly.
  • The air humidity in the room should be 50-55%. During the heating season, the humidity in apartments drops to 20-30%. An effective way to maintain this parameter is to use a humidifier. If it is not there, then you can place wet towels on the heating radiators and wash the floors more often.

Using an automatic or pendant humidifier can completely solve the problem of runny nose in children and eliminate the need for medications.

Cooking at home

Saline solution can be purchased at the pharmacy, but it is easy to prepare it at home. You need to take boiled warm water and dilute ordinary table salt in it, in the proportion of one level teaspoon of salt per liter of liquid. For infants, the portion of salt is even smaller, a quarter of a teaspoon. If desired, you can use sea salt without additives. For a softening effect, you can add a pinch of soda.

Before cooking, you need to wash the dishes thoroughly. It is best to use a glass bottle. It is not recommended to store the solution in a metal container; metal particles can pass into the liquid and have a depressing effect on the nasal mucosa.

You can use a homemade solution only to treat rhinitis. Store for no more than a day at room temperature.

Source: http://net-prostuda.ru/2017/12/25/natriya-chlorid-detyam-pri-nasmorke/