Saline irrigation and steam inhalation
Saline irrigation and steam inhalation
A randomised controlled trial found that steam inhalations had little effect in sinusitis but that saline nasal irrigation (also called nasal douching) improved symptoms. Patients were more likely to feel they could manage the problem themselves and used less OTC medication. A short video showing patients how to use saline nasal irrigation, such as the one used by NHS Southampton Hospitals at youtube.com can be recommended. See also NHS guidance on How to clean your nose with a homemade salt water solution at: nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection.
Nasal saline irrigation may cause minor adverse effects, such as irritation. Patients sometimes experience some ear discomfort while rinsing, and after use they may experience drainage of left-over solution from the nose, sometimes many minutes or hours later.
How to clean the nose with a homemade salt water solution
1. Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool
2. Mix one teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water
3. Wash your hands
4. Stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it
5. Sniff the water into one nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.
6. Repeat the first five steps up to three times a day until your nose feels more comfortable. You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.
Source NHS A-Z