Treatments: Nose and Sinus Rinses
Salt water (saline) in the nose and sinuses is like rinsing one’s mouth—it is safe, simple, and hygienic. The standard salt concentration used is the amount found in tears, and often the solution is pH buffered as well to avoid irritating the nose. There are some variations on this theme, with different techniques and ingredients of nasal saline, detailed below.
Nasal Spray Mist
Nasal saline mist
An atomized solution of salt water can be purchased over-the-counter and is frequently used for keeping the nose moist. It is convenient and may be used several times a day, but it is not considered to be as effective in washing out the nose and sinuses as nasal saline irrigation, shown below.
Nasal Saline Rinse with a squeeze bottle
Nasal saline irrigation
Nasal saline irrigation is a process of rinsing the nose and sinuses with a larger volume of salt water. The technique usually involves sending salt water up one nostril and allowing it to exit from the other nostril. Here are links for instructional videos:
• YouTube video: How nasal saline irrigation works
• YouTube video: Sinus Rinse squeeze bottle (NeilMed brand)
Your physician may prescribe a medication to be mixed in with the salt water for nasal/sinus irrigation
medicated saline irrigation
In some circumstances, your physician may recommend using a sinus rinse with one or more medications mixed into the salt water solution. Medicated sinus rinses are especially effective in sinuses previously opened surgically. The added ingredients may include prescription medications to fight bacteria or fungus, and may include a steroid to reduce inflammation.
Provodone-iodine 10% may be recommended by your physician as an additive to kill bacteria as well as viruses in the nose and sinuses. This product is available without prescription. A sinus rinse bottle of saline (salt packet plus water) is made first, and then one teaspoon (5 mL) of 10% provodone-iodine is added to the solution before use.