HealthInfo Canterbury
Nasal saline rinse
Opeopenga mātaitai ā-ihu
Using a nasal saline rinse can help to thin and decrease the amount of mucus you produce in your nose. And stop it draining into the back of your throat. It also helps to rinse away allergens and irritants that make your nose itchy and make you sneeze.
If you are using a nasal saline rinse, use it before you use any nasal steroid medicines. Nasal steroid medicines include: Alanase or Beconase (beclometasone dipropionate); Butacort or Eltair (budesonide); and Flixonase or Clearnase (fluticasone propionate).
What to use
For adults, several nasal rinse devices are available, such as Sinus Rinse and Neti Pot. You can use these with commercial rinses such as NeilMed sinus rinse packets or you can make your own saline rinse.
To make your own rinse, dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in 250 ml of warm distilled or boiled water. Do not use tap water as it can cause bacterial infections. You can use ordinary table salt. But if this irritates your nasal passages, try using fine non-iodised salt that has no preservatives or other additives. Or use a commercial rinse.
Use the solution in your sinus rinse bottle or pot. Manufacturers recommend that you replace the bottle or pot every three months.
Children can use nasal drops or spray such as NasaDrops or NasaMist.
Put the saline rinse in your bottle or pot and follow the manufacturer's instructions for your device. Or use the following instructions.
- Draw the saline rinse solution up into the bulb.
- Tilt your head downward over a sink (or in the shower) and turn your head to the left. Squeeze the solution gently into the top nostril.
- Breathe normally through your mouth. In a few seconds, the solution should come out through your other nostril.
- Turn your head and repeat the process on the other side.
- Adjust your head position as you need to so the solution does not go down the back of your throat or into your ears.
- Blow your nose very gently to prevent the solution from going into your ear and causing discomfort.
Stop using the rinse if it causes pain, a nosebleed or any other problem.
After using the rinse, you can keep using your prescribed nasal medicines as normal. They may even work better than before!
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2023.
SourcesReview key: HISIN-86153
