Nasal douche

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With a nasal douche or nasal rinsing, liquid (usually a saline solution) is introduced into the nasal cavity. This is supposed to cleanse the nasal passages of mucus, germs and nasal secretions. Read everything you need to know about the nasal douche - when it can help, how it is done, and what the risks are.

What is a nasal douche?

With a nasal douche or nasal rinse, liquid is introduced into the nasal cavity to cleanse it of germs, mucus and other nasal secretions. The recommended liquid is a saline solution that has a natural (physiological) concentration for the body. This does not irritate the nasal mucous membrane.

Plain tap water is not suitable for a nasal douche or nasal rinse. The same goes for mineral water.

When do you do a nasal douche?

A nasal douche for a cold gives you relief by flushing mucus, other secretions and pathogens out of the nasal cavity. A nasal douche is only helpful if you have a cold if your mucous membranes are not too swollen - otherwise the rinsing liquid cannot drain off well.Then you should put a decongestant nasal spray into both nostrils before the nasal douche and wait for its effect.

People with hay fever or a house dust allergy also like to use the nasal shower to rid their noses of pollen or house dust.

When is the nasal douche not advised?

If you have severe nosebleeds or injuries to the roof of your nose and the walls of the sinuses, you must not do a nasal douche or nasal rinse.

Whether a nasal douche makes sense before or after a surgical procedure in the nasopharynx depends on the planned operation. Therefore, ask your doctor first.

You should also consult a doctor before rinsing your nose if you have severely inflamed and ulcerated sinuses.

What do you do with a nasal douche?

Canisters, jugs & Co .: In pharmacies and drugstores you will find various systems of a nasal douche. It is easy to use: The salt bags that are usually included contain the right amount of salt for each application - you just have to add the specified amount of water and stir.

You can also prepare the (physiological) saline solution, which is natural for the body, entirely on your own. You do not need a special "nasal shower salt" for this. Instead, simply dissolve 0.9 grams of table salt (without additives) in 100 milliliters of fresh, lukewarm water. You can then fill this solution into the plastic nasal douche you have purchased.

Follow the specified amounts exactly (0.9 grams of salt per 100 ml of water) - otherwise the solution could irritate and even damage the nasal mucous membranes.

Commercially available systems for nasal douche have a nasal attachment that is exactly large enough that it can be easily attached to the nostril. You then lean forward over a sink or tub with your mouth wide open and your head tilted to one side. The saline rinsing solution can now be poured into the upper nostril through the nasal attachment and drained off through the other nostril.

If you keep your mouth closed during nasal rinsing, there is a risk that the rinsing solution will spill into your throat. Therefore: open your mouth!

Although the basic principle of all nasal showers is the same, some systems of nasal irrigation differ. The instructions in the package insert should therefore be read carefully in advance.

Nasal rinse as a quick home remedy

Nasal rinsing is also possible without a commercially available plastic nasal douche: you can simply put the mixed saline solution in the cupped hand and pull it up through a nostril.

Nasal douche: children

Since the nasal douche feels a bit strange, it is often difficult for children to be motivated to use it. Then it can help if mom or dad does the nasal rinsing on themselves first and lets the offspring watch it. The child can then imitate the process.

Younger children cannot do nasal rinsing on their own. Parents should provide assistance here.

Nasal irrigation: how often?

In the case of acute illnesses such as runny nose or sinusitis (sinusitis), it is usually recommended to do a nasal rinse up to three times a day. In acute sinusitis, use should be limited to one week. If you are unsure, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist how often and how long it makes sense to use it in your case.

Hay fever patients can do a nasal douche every evening during the "critical" season to flush out pollen and alleviate allergy symptoms. A morning nasal douche can be helpful for people with house dust allergies.

Nasal rinsing for prevention?

Some people view a nasal douche, like brushing their teeth, as a regular hygiene practice to stay healthy. But how useful is a daily nasal rinse to prevent sinusitis, for example?

In the opinion of the German Lung Foundation, not at all. In the nasal mucosa there are immune cells that produce important antibodies. These can be washed out with a regular nasal shower, which weakens the natural defenses of the nasal mucous membrane. Recurring infections are favored in this way.

What are the risks of a nasal douche?

If patients use the nasal douche correctly, the procedure does not involve major risks. However, too frequent nasal rinsing weakens the natural defenses of the nasal mucous membrane, which makes it easier for new infections to develop.

If used improperly, the nasal mucous membrane can be injured by the nasal attachment of the nasal douche and start to bleed.

Nosebleeds as well as burning sensation and pain in the nose can also occur if the proportions of the rinsing solution are not mixed correctly, causing the mucous membrane to become irritated or dry out.

What do I have to consider after a nasal shower?

After the nasal douche, you should thoroughly rinse the nasal douche system under running. Rinse off with warm water. Then let the nasal douche dry completely. For more intensive cleaning from time to time, depending on the model, you should, for example, boil them or put them in the dishwasher. Please note the information provided by the manufacturer. The same applies to the useful life of a nasal douche: some manufacturers recommend replacing your nasal douche after a certain number of uses. Others make an exchange dependent on the age of the model in addition or as an alternative. For more details, please refer to the package insert!

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