Nasal congestion (or stuffy nose) is a fairly common ailment due to swelling of fluid-filled nasal tissues. Sometimes it can be accompanied by symptoms of sinusitis and a runny nose. Fortunately, thanks to a simple saline spray, prepared with water and salt, you can be able to eliminate this annoying ailment often linked to flu or allergies. Preparing a saline solution is easy and can be used for both adults and children and infants; read on to learn how.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Saline Solution
Step 1. Get everything you need
Making a saline solution is really simple because the only ingredients required are water and salt! Sea salt or table salt are equally suitable, but be careful not to use iodized salt if you are allergic to iodine. For the administration of the saline solution, you will also need a spray bottle that can hold approximately 30-60 ml of liquid.
Babies and babies are unable to blow their noses effectively. So get a soft rubber bulb syringe to remove nasal secretions gently and efficiently
Step 2. Prepare the saline solution
Mixing water and salt is not enough. For the salt to dissolve completely in the water, it will be necessary to raise its temperature. Boiling tap water also kills any dangerous microbes. Bring 240ml of water to a boil, then allow it to cool slightly, while still keeping it very hot. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt and stir patiently until dissolved. The indicated dose of salt allows you to prepare a saline solution in accordance with the amount of salt present in the body (isotonic).
- Alternatively, you may want to prepare a saline solution with a higher salt concentration than your body (hypertonic). This hypothesis is particularly indicated in the presence of a strong nasal congestion and characterized by an abundant expulsion of mucus. If you have trouble breathing and clearing your nose, consider using a hypertonic solution.
- You can make a hypertonic solution by adding half a teaspoon of salt instead of just 1/4.
- This high salt solution is not suitable for infants and children under the age of five.
Step 3. Consider adding baking soda (optional)
Half a teaspoon of bicarbonate allows you to adjust the pH of the saline solution, making it less pungent in case of a particularly irritated nose, especially since it is a hypertonic solution with a high salt content. Add the baking soda to the still hot water and mix carefully until dissolved.
Salt and baking soda can be added at the same time, but adding the salt first will make it easier to dissolve
Step 4. Fill your spray container and store any excess saline
Once it reaches room temperature, the solution is ready to use. Transfer it to the spray bottle, then pour the excess into a small resealable container to store in the refrigerator. If necessary, after two days discard the unused solution and prepare more.
Part 2 of 3: Using the Saline Nasal Spray
Step 1. Use the saline solution whenever you feel a stuffy nose
The size of the spray bottle will allow you to always keep it at hand, even outside the walls of the house. The purpose of the nasal spray is to soften mucous secretions that block the airways. After each use, blow your nose to expel them.
- Lean forward and direct the nozzle towards the inside of your nostril, pointing it towards your ear.
- Spray the solution once or twice into each nostril. Use your left hand to spray it into your right nostril and vice versa.
- Sniffle slightly to prevent the solution from immediately seeping out of the nostrils, but be careful not to overdo it to avoid the risk of it flowing down the throat, otherwise it could irritate the nasal septum.
Step 2. If you need to give saline to a small child or infant, consider using a bulb syringe
Squeeze out about half of the air contained in the syringe, then suck up the liquid carefully. Tilt the baby's head back slightly and bring the tip of the syringe closer to one nostril. Drop three or three drops of saline solution into each nostril, trying your best not to come into contact with the mucous membranes with the tip of the syringe (this may not be easy if the child tends to fidget!). Try to keep his head still for two to three minutes to allow the solution to work.
Step 3. Use the bulb syringe to suck up the baby's nasal secretions
As with adults, wait two to three minutes after giving them the saline solution. After the indicated time you can use the syringe to gently eliminate nasal secretions from the nostrils. Use a soft tissue to remove any mucus around the nose. Remember to use a new tissue for each nostril; in addition, wash your hands thoroughly before and after each treatment.
- Tilt the baby's head back slightly.
- Press the bulb of the syringe to remove about 1/4 of the air in it, then insert the tip into one nostril very gently. Release the grip to suck out excess nasal secretions.
- Do not insert the tip of the syringe too deeply. The goal is to remove mucus exclusively from the end of the nostrils.
- Try your best to avoid touching the inner walls of the nostrils, as they may be particularly sensitive and irritated during illness.
Step 4. Maintain proper hygiene after using the bulb syringe
Use a tissue to remove secretions from the outer walls of the syringe, then throw it away immediately. Wash the tool in warm soapy water immediately after use. Suck the soapy water into it, then press it to let it out; repeat over and over again. Rinse the syringe with clean water, sucking it in and out as before. Swirl the water inside the syringe to thoroughly clean the walls.
Step 5. Repeat the treatment two or three times a day
But be careful not to overdo it with the bulb syringe. Your baby's nose will most likely already be sore and sore, touching it frequently could aggravate the discomfort. Don't try to suck out nasal secretions more than four times a day.
- The best time to do this is before a meal or sleep, in order to help your baby breathe better while eating or sleeping.
- If he struggles excessively, do what you can to calm him down and try again after some time. Remember to always be extremely gentle!
Step 6. Stay hydrated
The easiest way to relieve nasal congestion is to keep your body well hydrated. Nasal secretions will be more liquid and fluid, making it easier to blow your nose. The mucus may flow down the throat, but even if it is unpleasant, it is a normal and healthy effect. Drinking hot tea or broth can be especially helpful in keeping you hydrated.
Drink at least 8-10 8-ounce glasses of water each day. In case of fever, vomiting or dysentery, further increase the doses of water taken
Step 7. Blow your nose gently
To prevent the skin on the nose from drying excessively, apply some petroleum jelly or hypoallergenic moisturizer. Place it on the tip of a cotton swab and distribute it around your nostrils gently. If possible, use a humidifier or place several containers full of water throughout the house. Evaporating the water will keep the air moist. Also, when you are sick, rest and relax as much as possible!
Step 8. See a pediatrician to examine the condition of the little ones
For newborns, nasal congestion can be a serious disorder, capable of compromising both breathing and food intake. If you notice that the saline is not working, call your pediatrician within 12 to 24 hours.
See your doctor right away if your baby's or toddler's nasal congestion is accompanied by a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing or eating caused by a stuffy nose
Part 3 of 3: Understanding the Causes of Nasal Congestion
Step 1. Evaluate multiple possibilities
Nasal congestion can suggest different causes. Among the most common we can include flu, cold, sinusitis and allergies. Irritating environmental factors, such as chemicals or smoking are additional possible causes of nasal congestion. Some people have constant mucous discharge, a condition known as non-allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis (VMR).
Step 2. Look for any signs of viral infection
Because they live in the body's cells and reproduce very quickly, viruses are difficult to fight. Fortunately, the most common viral infections are colds and flu, diseases that heal on their own after running their course. In these cases the cure essentially consists in managing the symptoms in order to feel in the best possible condition. To prevent the flu, get an annual vaccine before the season in which it is most common begins. Cold and flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Clear, green or yellow mucus secretions
- Sore throat
- Coughing and sneezing
- Exhaustion
- Muscle aches and migraines
- Intense tearing of the eyes
- The flu can have additional symptoms: higher fever (exceeding 39.9 ° C), nausea, chills / sweating and lack of appetite.
Step 3. If you have a bacterial infection, take antibiotics
Bacterial infections can have a wide variety of different symptoms, including fever. Most bacterial infections are diagnosed clinically or sometimes through a culture of mucus from the nose or throat. Usually, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to fight the most common bacteria. Antibiotics work by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing, allowing the immune system to fight off the remaining infection.
Even if you feel better, continue taking antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping treatment earlier than expected would risk the infection developing again
Step 4. Highlight any symptoms of sinusitis
Sinusitis is a disorder in which the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, causing mucus to build up. Possible causes of sinusitis include: colds, allergies, and bacterial or fungal infections. Although it can be bothersome, sinusitis can usually be treated on its own, without the need for medical intervention. More severe or persistent nasal infections are often treated with antibiotics. Related symptoms include:
- Secretions of thick, yellow or green mucus, often also present in the throat
- Stuffed nose
- Swelling and soreness around the eyes and in the eye, cheek and forehead area
- Compromised smell and taste
- Cough
Step 5. Evaluate the intensity of the lights in the environment you live in
Few people know that bright lights are a common cause of nasal congestion. Eyes and nose are closely related, therefore ocular stress can also negatively affect the nasal passages. Try dimming the lights in your home and work environment and see if there are any improvements.
Step 6. Test for allergies
Nasal congestion can result from an allergic reaction that you are not aware of. If you have a persistent stuffy nose or severe symptoms, and especially if you have itching or frequent sneezing, undergo clinical tests to help diagnose any allergies. A qualified doctor will give you a small amount of the most well-known allergens to highlight possible abnormal reactions. Once you have identified the substances that cause nasal congestion, you can decide to avoid them or to take a drug that allows you to control the symptoms. The most common allergens include:
- Dust mites
- Foods: milk, gluten, soy, spices, seafood and food preservatives
- Pollen (hay fever)
- Latex
- Mold
- Peanuts
- Allergens present on the fur of animals
Step 7. Eliminate irritants from your environment
With each inhalation and exhalation you allow the external environment to come into direct contact with your body, sometimes contaminating it. If your nasal passages are caused by the air you breathe, you can try to improve it. The most common irritants include:
- Tobacco smoke
- Exhausted fumes
- Perfumes
- Dry air (buy a humidifier)
- Sudden changes in temperature
Step 8. Contact your doctor
In some cases, a drug that has nothing to do with nasal congestion could be the cause of your breathing problems. Provide your doctor with a list of all medications you are taking to evaluate possible side effects. In the event of a positive response, he will be able to recommend an alternative treatment. Nasal congestion is often attributable to:
- Medicines for the treatment of hypertension
- Abuse of decongestant nose sprays
- Drug abuse
Step 9. Assess for any hormonal disturbances
Hormones control numerous bodily functions and can interfere in multiple ways. Hormonal changes and disturbances can affect the normal function of nasal secretions. If you are pregnant, suffer from thyroid disorders or suspect that you have some hormonal imbalance, ask your doctor for advice. It will most likely be able to help you keep your hormones in check, thereby relieving your nasal congestion.
Step 10. Check your body anatomy
Sometimes infections, medications, and hormonal imbalances may have nothing to do with nasal congestions. Sinus anatomy may be the sole cause of the respiratory disorder. If you have persistent or severe congestion, see your doctor to get an appointment with an ENT. Thanks to its diagnosis you will be able to know if your problem is attributable to a physical abnormality. The most common anatomical problems include:
- Deviated septum
- Nasal polyps
- Enlarged adenoids
-
Presence of a foreign body in the nose
This eventuality is particularly common in children. Thick, foul-smelling mucus secretions often result from this, usually coming from only one nostril
Warnings
- If symptoms of nasal congestion persist for more than 10-14 days, see your doctor.
- Similarly, see your doctor if you have a greenish discharge or blood, or if you suffer from respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Bpco) or asthma.
