Nasal irrigation (SNI) is the introduction of a liquid (usually isotonic saline solution) into the nasal cavity. Nasal irrigation is one of the time-honored home remedies. Daily nasal irrigation with isotonic saline solution improves the quality of life of patients with sinusitis complaints (sinusitis symptoms), reduces their discomfort and the use of medication in patients with frequent sinusitis (sinusitis).
However, those who are healthy and do not experience discomfort do not need to use nasal irrigation.
Indications (areas of use)
- Acute otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear).
- Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS; simultaneous inflammation of the nasal mucosa (“rhinitis”) and the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses (“sinusitis“)).
- Chronic sinusitis (sinus infection).
- Dry mucous membranes
- Condition after surgery on the nose or sinuses (therapy to be agreed with the attending physician).
Contraindications
- Acute sinusitis
- Nosebleed
The procedure
Use a plastic bottle with a nasal cap as the container. The rinsing liquid should always consist of a physiological saline solution (0.9 grams of saline in 100 milliliters of water/isotonic saline solution). You can obtain a ready-mixed saline solution for this purpose from your pharmacy, if necessary. The water should always be freshly boiled water.
In corona times, experts may recommend more highly concentrated salt solutions, so-called HS solutions with a salt content above 0.9% (maximum 5%). These are supposed to achieve a better effect in sinunasal diseases (disease of the sinuses) than the usually recommended physiological saline solution. The increased osmolarity results in the removal of water from the mucosal cells, which in turn contributes to the liquefaction of the nasal secretion.
After the salt has dissolved by shaking thoroughly, you can apply the nasal attachment to one nostril. Now open your mouth wide, bend your head forward over the sink and tilt it to the side. Then, depending on the type of device used previously to retain the solution in the container, release or apply slight pressure to the plastic bottle to allow the saline solution to flow into the nose. The saline mixture then flows out again via the other nostril. Caution: Open your mouth wide enough to prevent the saline solution from entering your throat! After each nasal irrigation, the device and the nasal attachment must be rinsed thoroughly and dried out completely. The nasal douche should be replaced at regular intervals, as the surface of plastic bottles roughens over time, making it easier for germs to settle there.
Decontamination (“germ removal”) by microwave is a suitable method for germ reduction: rinsing out the plastic vessel after each use and then placing it in the microwave for 1.5-2 minutes together with the cap. This resulted in a contamination rate of 0 percent.
Note: The SARS-CoV-2 virus can only be inactivated using diethyl ether, 75% alcohol, chlorine, UV light or heat (at least 56°C for half an hour).
Further notes
- The use of so-called HS-Solutions with a salt content above 0.9% (maximum 5%) reduced the duration of illness in patients with common cold and immediately reduced viral shedding and transmission to household members.
