Nasal irrigation is a method of cleaning the nasal cavity by rinsing with saline solution to wash away impurities such as mucus or allergens inside the nasal cavity. This can reduce postnasal drip and nasal congestion effectively, while also helping to keep the nasal cavity moist, making breathing easier. Nasal irrigation is not limited to children with allergies only; healthy children can also perform nasal irrigation, provided they can hold their breath and blow their nose by themselves to avoid choking.
Benefits of Nasal Irrigation
- Helps remove thick mucus stuck in the nasal cavity, making the nose cleaner
- Relieves chronic cold symptoms
- Prevents the spread of germs inside the nasal cavity
- Prevents sinus infections from spreading to the lungs
- Reduces the amount of germs, waste, and allergens
- Increases moisture in the nasal mucosa
- Relieves nasal congestion or difficulty breathing, making breathing easier
- Relieves irritation occurring in the nasal cavity
- Enhances the effectiveness of nasal sprays because the medication works better when the nose is clear and clean
Who Should Perform Nasal Irrigation?
Nasal irrigation should be done before using nasal sprays for treatment or in cases where a child has nasal-related illnesses. Nasal irrigation should be done regularly, especially for patients with the following conditions:
- Allergies
- Sinusitis
- Asthma
- Having a cold with nasal congestion, excessive mucus or phlegm, causing difficulty breathing
If you notice that a child has thick mucus discharge, has been exposed to dust or smoke, or has been in a highly polluted environment, you should also perform nasal irrigation with saline for the child.
Proper Nasal Irrigation Method Includes
Equipment for Nasal Irrigation with Saline
- 0.9% saline solution, available at hospitals or pharmacies
- A cup for holding the saline solution
- Plastic syringe
- For young children, use 5-10 cc size
- For older children, use 10-20 cc size
- A container to catch mucus, or if not using a container, nasal irrigation can be done over a sink
Steps for Nasal Irrigation
- Wash hands and all equipment thoroughly
- Pour saline solution into the prepared container
- Use the plastic syringe to draw about 5-10 milliliters of saline, then lean over the container
- Try to fit the syringe snugly against one nostril, then hold your breath, bend your head forward, open your mouth, or have the child say “Ah…” with a long sound instead
- While holding your breath, slowly inject the saline into the nostril so that the saline flows through the nasal cavity on the side where the syringe is inserted and flows out through the other nostril
- If mucus remains, gently blow it out, or some saline may flow out through the mouth, which should be spit out
- Repeat the process on the other nostril
- Repeat as needed until breathing feels clear and no mucus remains
The benefit of nasal irrigation with saline is to wash away impurities remaining inside the nasal cavity to reduce germs, dirt, and allergens. Nasal irrigation can be done frequently when experiencing difficulty breathing or nasal congestion, or it can be done 2-3 times a day without causing any harm to the body.
