Most store-bought nasal rinse products are made up almost exclusively of saline. Saline is a combination of purified water and salt. Read and follow the directions on the packaging. These directions should include how to do the nasal rinse and how often you can do it. Some store-bought nasal rinse products require that you add purified or boiled and cooled water to the applicator. If your product says to do this, be sure to do it and don’t simply add tap water. Use purified bottled water from an unopened bottle, or boil some tap water and let it cool if bottled water is unavailable.
All of these products work generally in the same way. They apply the rinse into 1 nostril and the rinse travels through the sinuses and out the other nostril. Be sure that the device that you buy is made specifically for irrigating the nasal passages. If you are unsure what device to get, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Take a look at your nasal discharge when you blow your nose. If it’s clear and watery, it’s likely to be due to allergies or a common cold. A nasal rinse is an appropriate treatment in these cases. If your mucus is yellowish, green, or brown, you may have a sinus infection, which requires antibiotic treatment prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Make sure that whatever you are using to administer the rinse is clean and disinfected before filling it up with rinse.
Ideally the rinse will pass into 1 nostril and run out of your other nostril, flushing out mucus, dust, and pollen. You may need to adjust the tilt of your head as you begin to apply the rinse. The goal is to find an angle that allows the rinse to run through the sinuses and out the other nostril, not down your throat. Repeat the process in the other nostril.
Look for products like NeilMed Sinus Rinse or Arm and Hammer Simply Saline in your local pharmacy.
Glass or BPA-free plastic are both good container materials to consider. Always remember to wash your hands before and after creating your nasal rinse. This will avoid cross-contamination and the introduction of microorganisms or viruses.
Stir the mixture until the salt and baking soda have dissolved, or until the water is clear. If you boiled the water, wait until the solution cools to a lukewarm temperature before using it. A homemade nasal rinse can be stored for 3 days at room temperature.
