Nasal Saline
Patient Counselling
Patient Counselling
· Patients should get plenty of bed rest, hydration, and increased humidity to help with congestive nasal symptoms(1)
· Maintaining good hygiene is important for safe use of nasal saline(1)
· To use nasal spray:(2)
o Shake bottle
o Blow nose so that nostrils are clear
o Wash hands
o Take lid off of bottle
o Tilt head slightly downward
o Close one nostril by pressing against side of nose with finger
o Insert tip of nasal spray into the other nostril and breathe in slowly through nose.
§ Squirt one spray into nose while breathing
o Remove spray from nostril and breath out through mouth
o Repeat if necessary with the same and/or other nostril
o Replace lid
· To use nasal aspirator (for infants/children):(3)
o Rinse aspirator with hot water before use and dry thoroughly
o Place clean filter in filter chamber and reconnect aspirator
o Ensure child is in stable and comfortable position
o Place soft tip of aspirator into nostril and inhale through the tube
o Repeat in other nostril if necessary
o Lift child up to ensure that excess mucus drains out
o After each use, unscrew aspirator, discard filter, and wash aspirator with hot water
§ Do not sterilize or boil aspirator
· To use Neti pot:(4)
o Wash hands
o Mix 16 ounces of lukewarm distilled, boiled or sterile water with 1 teaspoon of salt.
§ May add 1 ounce of baking soda to make solution gentler on nose.
o Put solution in neti pot.
o Tilt head over a sink at a 45 degree angle.
o Place the spout into the top of the nostril and gently pour solution through nostril.
§ If any solution gets into throat, spit it out.
o Blow nose after finished to get rid of any remaining liquid.
o Repeat on the other side
o Wash neti pot with soapy water and rinse
· Apply once or twice daily(1)
· Improvement in symptoms is rapid and lasts for 4-6 hours(1)
· If patients experience pain, bleeding, or general illness from using nasal saline, they should discontinue use of nasal saline and consult a physician and/or pharmacist(1)
· Use saline for as long as congestive nasal symptoms last
References
1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Nasal Irrigation. AccessPharmacy. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=1229&&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1. Updated August 2013. Accessed March 18, 2014.
2. Marshall H. How to use your nasal spray. NetDoctor.com http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/nasalspray.htm. Updated 2013. Accessed March 26, 2014.
3. HydraSense. Nasal Aspirator. http://hydrasense.ca/en/products/details/2. Updated 2014. Accessed March 26, 2014.
4. WedMB. Help for Sinus Pain and Pressure. http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-11/neti-pots?page=1. Updated 2014. Accessed March 26, 2014.
· Patients should get plenty of bed rest, hydration, and increased humidity to help with congestive nasal symptoms(1)
· Maintaining good hygiene is important for safe use of nasal saline(1)
· To use nasal spray:(2)
o Shake bottle
o Blow nose so that nostrils are clear
o Wash hands
o Take lid off of bottle
o Tilt head slightly downward
o Close one nostril by pressing against side of nose with finger
o Insert tip of nasal spray into the other nostril and breathe in slowly through nose.
§ Squirt one spray into nose while breathing
o Remove spray from nostril and breath out through mouth
o Repeat if necessary with the same and/or other nostril
o Replace lid
· To use nasal aspirator (for infants/children):(3)
o Rinse aspirator with hot water before use and dry thoroughly
o Place clean filter in filter chamber and reconnect aspirator
o Ensure child is in stable and comfortable position
o Place soft tip of aspirator into nostril and inhale through the tube
o Repeat in other nostril if necessary
o Lift child up to ensure that excess mucus drains out
o After each use, unscrew aspirator, discard filter, and wash aspirator with hot water
§ Do not sterilize or boil aspirator
· To use Neti pot:(4)
o Wash hands
o Mix 16 ounces of lukewarm distilled, boiled or sterile water with 1 teaspoon of salt.
§ May add 1 ounce of baking soda to make solution gentler on nose.
o Put solution in neti pot.
o Tilt head over a sink at a 45 degree angle.
o Place the spout into the top of the nostril and gently pour solution through nostril.
§ If any solution gets into throat, spit it out.
o Blow nose after finished to get rid of any remaining liquid.
o Repeat on the other side
o Wash neti pot with soapy water and rinse
· Apply once or twice daily(1)
· Improvement in symptoms is rapid and lasts for 4-6 hours(1)
· If patients experience pain, bleeding, or general illness from using nasal saline, they should discontinue use of nasal saline and consult a physician and/or pharmacist(1)
· Use saline for as long as congestive nasal symptoms last
References
1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Nasal Irrigation. AccessPharmacy. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=1229&&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1. Updated August 2013. Accessed March 18, 2014.
2. Marshall H. How to use your nasal spray. NetDoctor.com http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/nasalspray.htm. Updated 2013. Accessed March 26, 2014.
3. HydraSense. Nasal Aspirator. http://hydrasense.ca/en/products/details/2. Updated 2014. Accessed March 26, 2014.
4. WedMB. Help for Sinus Pain and Pressure. http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-11/neti-pots?page=1. Updated 2014. Accessed March 26, 2014.