Buffered Hypertonic Saline Solution – For Nasal Irrigation
Benefits of Nasal Irrigation
- Washes crusts and debris from nose.
- Salty water pulls fluid out of the swollen membranes of your nose.
- Decongests nose
- Improves air flow and breathing
- Helps open sinus passages
- A mixture of concentrated salt and baking soda helps the nose work better and move mucus out faster.
Saline Sinus Rinse Recipe
- 1 quart of clean tap or bottled water (Don’t have to boil it)
- 2-3 heaping teaspoons of “pickling/canning” salt. Don’t use table salt which has additives.
- 1 rounded teaspoon of baking soda (pure bicarbonate)
Stir or shake before each use. Discard at end of day and make fresh solution daily
If the mixture seems too strong, use less salt—try 1½ to 2 tsp of salt.
For children, start with a weaker solution and gradually increase to 2 – 3 heaping tsp of salt or whatever the child will accept.
Instructions for Saline Rinse Use
- Rinse nose with salt solution 2 to 3 times each day. Use a bulb/ear syringe or a Waterpik.
- Pour some salt water into a clean bowl. Some people prefer warm (body temp) solution by warming it in the microwave. Do not use hot solution.
- Fill syringe with water from bowl. Don’t put the syringe into the bowl or jar with the original solution, because that will contaminate it.
- Lean over the sink or in the shower and squirt the salt water into each side of your nose. Aim at the back of your head, not the top. This lets you spit some it out and it won’t hurt if you swallow a little. Most of the solution will run back out of the nose.
- Try to get 3 bulb syringe-fuls into each side of the nose 3 times a day.
- Some people notice a mild burning the first few time the salt is used. This usually goes away in a few days.
Special Instructions for Young Children
Put the salt water in a small commercial spray container, like a nasal steroid spray bottle. Squirt it many times into each side of the nose. Do not force your child to lie down. It is easier to do when sitting or standing.
If You Use a Nasal Steroid with Saline Rinse
Use the salt water first, and then use the nasal steroid (Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort, Nasarel, TriNasal). The steroid works better when the nasal membranes have been cleaned and decongested.
Contact for Appointment
If you would like more information please call our central appointment desk (713) My-Sinus or (713) 697-4687 and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
