Nasal washing, also known as nasal irrigation, is a safe and effective at-home method of relieving symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, colds, and other upper respiratory tract diseases [1].
Rinsing the nasal passages with saline removes substances that clog the sinuses and cause swelling, such as mucus, pathogens, and allergens (pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander).
But,Nasal irrigation is not for everyoneNasal irrigation is not suitable for conditions such as ear infections, complete nasal congestion, or surgery on the ears or sinuses. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor before use.
First of all, nasal irrigation certainly does not completely prevent colds.
However, nasal irrigation can reduce the number of nasal passagesViral load(which can be simply understood as the number of viruses), which may help reduce the risk of developing diseases in the upper respiratory tract.
In addition, nasal irrigation is used after the onset of an upper respiratory tract infectionNot only does it alleviate symptoms, but it also reduces hospitalizations
On the one hand, daily nasal rinsing with saline can keep the nasal passages moist, and on the other hand, as mentioned earlier, it can help remove bacteria, viruses, and other irritants that can cause colds, which can help prevent upper respiratory tract infections such as colds.
Therefore, in addition to standardizing the wearing of masks, rinsing the nasal passages after commuting or having close contact with people in enclosed spaces can be helpful to reduce the risk of infection.
Some friends may ask: how to wash your nose?Do you wash your face with water by the way?
No, and it's useless to do so.
The main principle of nasal irrigation is:Mucus and foreign bodies are removed by applying pressure, so be sure to use tools and have specific postures and rinsing procedures.
Rinse position
When rinsing, head forward and lower, basically the forehead and chin are at the same level, so that water from your nose does not flow directly into your mouth.
Throughout the rinse, open your mouth and breathe through your mouth.
Rinse operation
Turn your head to one side, press the nozzle of the nasal irrigation device against the upper nostrils, and gently squeeze the container to let the water flow into the upper nostrils and out from the lower nostrils. After rinsing one nostril, switch to the other.
Generally speaking, it is recommended to blow your nose 1-2 times a day, and do not blow your nose vigorously after washing.
Special reminder
Be sure to use clean saline (buy sterile saline directly, prepare saline with distilled water, etc.), and wash and dry the nasal irrigation device after use to avoid infection.
If you just use tap water to clean the outer part of the lower nasal passage, this is usually fine, but if you want to clean the deeper parts of the nasal passage, or even use tap water to rinse the nasal passage, it can lead to infection, and there have been cases of encephalitis in the past.
Do you have a Xi of washing your nose?