Allergic rhinitis patients, especially parents of allergic children, usually actively do their homework and search for all possible improvement methods in order to improve their children’s allergic symptoms, and nose washing (nasal irrigation) is one of them.

Many parents have heard that nose washing can cure allergies, and they have bought neti washers to wash their children’s noses. However, after washing, not only the nose allergies have not improved at all, but the amount of nasal fluid has increased, leaving parents at a loss as to what to do.

Let us introduce you to the nasal irrigation device, explain whether the nasal irrigation device can treat nose allergies, which type of people are particularly suitable for nose washing, and the correct use of the nasal irrigation device.

Introduction to nasal irrigation device

Neti pot is a tool for cleaning the nasal cavity. It can be divided into two types: manual and electric (mostly used in clinics). It is a low-risk level 1 medical device.

The operation method of the nasal irrigation device is to send saline solution into the nasal cavity, pass through the nasal vestibule, sinuses and nasopharynx, and finally discharge it through the nostril or mouth on the other side, flushing out bacteria, dirt and allergens in the nasal cavity. , to filter impurities and harmful substances, soften sticky secretions, and restore nasal cavity moisture, thereby alleviating the symptoms of sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

Washing the nose is just a supplement. Allergies should be treated with medication first

As can be seen from the introduction in the above paragraph, the nasal irrigation device uses physical methods to remove dirt and allergens from the nasal cavity. However, physiological saline itself has no effect on the treatment of rhinitis. It is just like taking a bath with water, but water will not cure it. Internal diseases can only remove external dirt.

Since nasal allergies are triggered by contact with allergens in the nasal mucosa, removing allergens through a neti pot can indeed help relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

However, nose washing is only an auxiliary function in the treatment of rhinitis (such as allergic rhinitis and sinusitis). If the symptoms are severe, allergy drugs still need to be the mainstay of treatment.

In 2007, the United Kingdom conducted a study on using saline solution to clean the nose to improve chronic sinusitis. The results of the study are as follows:

1. Steroid nasal sprays are more effective in improving chronic sinusitis than washing the nose with saline solution.
   
2. Washing the nose with saline solution can improve chronic sinusitis.
   
3. Using antihistamines plus saline to wash your nose can improve the treatment effect of chronic sinusitis.
   
4. The effect of washing the nose with saline solution on improving chronic sinusitis is not significantly different from massaging the nasal cavity and sinuses.
   
5. There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of hypertonic saline and isotonic saline in improving sinusitis.

At the same time, the study also clearly pointed out that in order to relieve the symptoms of chronic sinusitis, drugs such as steroid nasal sprays and antihistamines should be used to control the symptoms, and then supplemented with saline nasal irrigation to achieve an additive effect.

However, if the symptoms of rhinitis are mild, you can indeed perform daily maintenance and relieve discomfort by washing your nose.

Common indications for nose washing

Generally speaking, nasal cleaning is clinically used in the following situations:

1. When you have sticky nasal discharge
   
2. Chronic sinusitis
   
3. Atrophic rhinitis
   
4. After head and neck radiation therapy
   
5. After nasal surgery

These 4 types of people are best suited for nose washing

The following four types of people are most suitable to wash their noses after work or when symptoms occur to remove dust, allergens, inflammatory substances and nasal secretions in the nasal cavity to reduce the burden on the nasal cavity and respiratory tract:

1. Workers who are frequently exposed to exhaust gases (such as traffic police, factory workers)
   
2. Those who work in a dusty environment (such as construction site workers, decoration workers)
   
3. Residents in counties and cities with severe air pollution (such as London, Birmingham, Manchester)
   
4. Patients with severe allergic rhinitis or those undergoing treatment for rhinitis

Steps to wash your nose

1. Clean your hands: Use soap or hand lotion to clean your hands.
   
2. Prepare warm salt water: Add physiological saline to the nasal rinse bottle and adjust the water temperature to 30~35°C, or add special nasal rinse salt, add warm water according to the water volume instructions, and shake the bottle evenly until the salt powder is completely dissolved .
   
3. Place the mouth of the bottle against your nostrils: lower your head toward the sink, open your mouth slightly, and breathe through your mouth.
   
4. Squeeze the bottle gently: Keep the mouth of the bottle against your nostril, squeeze the bottle gently, let half the bottle of saline flow into the nasal cavity, and flow out from the other nostril or mouth.
   
5. Drain the nasal saline: After washing one side, do not pinch your nose and gently blow it out with a tissue.
   
6. Clean the other nostril: Repeat steps 3 to 5 to clean the other nostril.
   
7. Completely drain the cleaning fluid: Gently rock your head from side to side and blow slowly to completely drain the nasal fluid.
   
8. Cleaning and drying the neti pot: Rinse it thoroughly with clean water and place it in a ventilated place to dry.

Must know! 8 things to note when washing your nose

1. Physiological saline or saline prepared with nasal wash salt is less irritating and less harmful to the mucosal cells in the nasal cavity, so it is most suitable for nasal cleaning.
   
2. Do not use tap water, distilled water, physiological saline for glasses, or use salt to prepare saline of unknown concentration by yourself to avoid nasal mucosal edema, pain, and even infection and inflammation.
   
3. You can use non-iodized salt and add 4.5 grams of salt per 500 ml of water to prepare brine. It is not recommended to use sea salt. In addition to being more expensive, you also need to worry about whether it contains the remains or excrement of sea creatures.
   
4. The temperature of salt water needs to be controlled between 30 and 35°C. If it is too low or too high, it will irritate the nasal mucosal cells and cause more serious discomfort or allergic reactions.
   
5. When washing the nose, the water flow should not be too strong to avoid injury and swelling of the nasal mucosa, or even nosebleeds.
   
6. After using the neti pot, be sure to wash it and dry it. It is recommended to replace the neti pot every 3 months to avoid bacterial growth.
   
7. The nasal wash is an auxiliary product. It is recommended to consult a doctor before use. The frequency of use is no more than once in the morning and once in the evening or once every night.
   
8. It is recommended to purchase a qualified nasal irrigation device with a medical device license from a pharmacy that has a drug dealer license to avoid purchasing products of poor quality.