Wash the nose along with the nasal spray method to treat allergies

Nasal irrigation and nasal spray (nasal spray) is a fairly common treatment for people with nasal allergies, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. Both can be relied on to relieve the nasal cavity and relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and excess mucus production.

You can choose either nasal or nasal irrigation nasal spray if you do not want to take allergic rhinitis drugs in the form of drinking or other. In order for optimal treatment, what you need to pay attention to when doing nasal irrigation and choosing nasal spray?

How to do nasal irrigation

Also known as "nasal douche"And washing the nose, nasal irrigation using two simple things: saline / NaCl liquid and a special tool. This can be in the form of a neti pot or a 10 cc syringe (syringe) whose needle you have removed.

The liquid for washing the nose should not come from tap water. The reason is, tap water is not necessarily free of germs, so it is a risk to nose health. Use a saline solution made from NaCl that you make or are sold in pharmacies.

Saline solution has a pH and content similar to body fluids so it will not disturb the balance of bacteria in the nose. This solution also keeps the tiny hairs in your nose healthy and well-groomed.

In addition, saline solutions also help thin the mucus which is the cause of nasal congestion. This is why washing the nose with a saline solution is effective in treating symptoms in people with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

If you want to make your own saline solution, mix together three teaspoons of non-iodine salt and one teaspoon of baking soda. Store this mixture in a closed container and clean jar before use.

When you want to wash your nose, dissolve the salt and baking soda in a cup of clean water that has been boiled and cooled to room temperature. You can pour it directly into the neti pot or syringe.

If all the materials and equipment are ready, here are the steps you need to do:

1. How to wash your nose with a neti pot

A neti pot is a container specially designed to clear mucus from your nose. It looks like a teapot, but with the tip of the snout that is longer and straighter to reach the inside of the nose.

Before using the neti pot, make sure that you wash it clean. Using a neti pot increases your risk of infection with germs, including harmful parasites N. fowleri. The best way to prevent this is to keep the neti pot clean.

This tool will pass the saline solution into one of your nostrils, then the solution will come out of the other nostril. The discharge will also carry mucus and dirt out of the nose. Here's how to wash your nose using a neti pot.

Pour the saline solution you prepared into the neti pot. Then, stand in front of the sink, tilting your head to the left.
Gently insert the end of the neti pot into the right nostril. Make sure there are no gaps and that the neti pot doesn't touch the divider between the two nostrils.
While breathing through your mouth, tilt the neti pot until the saline fluid enters the right nostril and out through the left nostril.
Continue to do the previous step until the saline solution in the neti pot runs out.
After the saline solution runs out, remove the neti pot from your nostril and straighten your head back up.
Try breathing with your nose to remove any residual saline solution.
Use a tissue or rag to absorb the saline and mucus solution that remains in the nasal cavity.
Repeat the same steps for your left nostril.

Always clean the neti pot before and after use. You can keep a neti pot sterile by boiling it in boiling water for a few seconds. Dry with a clean cloth, then store in a closed place.

2. How to wash the nose with a syringe

The syringe has the same function as the neti pot, which is to distribute the saline solution from one nostril to be removed from the other nostril. However, the syringe is easier to control and insert into the nasal cavity.

Here's how to wash your nose using a tool in the form of a syringe:

Pour the saline solution that you have prepared into the syringe. Then, stand in front of the sink, tilting your head to the left.
Insert the tip of the syringe slowly into the right nostril. Make sure there are no gaps and that the neti pot doesn't touch the divider between the two nostrils.
While breathing through the mouth, press the tip of the syringe until the saline solution enters the right nostril and out of the left nostril.
Keep the saline solution from entering your esophagus. You may need to adjust your head to find the right position.
After the saline solution in the syringe runs out, remove the saline solution and mucus that remains in your nose by snorting your nose.
Clean your nose with a tissue or clean cloth.
Repeat the same steps for your left nostril.

Don't forget to re-sterilize the used syringe with boiling water. Dry with a clean cloth, then store it in a safe, closed place until it is time to use it again.

Washing the nose should be done only once a day at night. This will simultaneously clean all the dirt that enters and accumulates in the nose after breathing outside air for a day.

Drug nasal spray to treat allergies

Nasal spray or nasal sprays are drugs used in the nasal area and sinuses. This liquid medicine is useful for treating symptoms of sinusitis and allergies such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and so on.

The nasal spray comes in two types, namely the regular spray bottle (pump bottle) and small cans pressed into bottles (pressurized canister). Both can be purchased at pharmacies with or without a doctor's prescription.

Often times the drugs that are put in nasal sprays are decongestants. Decongestants work by thinning the mucus in your nose so that you can breathe again with relief.

Apart from decongestants, nasal sprays for allergies sometimes also contain allergy medications in the form of:

Antihistamines (azelastine, olopatadine),
Corticosteroids (budesonide, fluticasone furoate, mometasone),
mast cell stabilizer (cromolyn sodium), or
Ipraptorium.

Although some nasal sprays can be purchased without a prescription at a pharmacy, it is still advisable to consult a doctor. The reason is, nasal spray can make allergies worse if not used properly.

Once you find a suitable nasal spray, the next step is to use this medication appropriately. Here are the steps for using the drug nasal spray according to the type of packaging:

1. The nasal spray pump

Ordinary nasal spray is in the form of a small bottle with a neck that is specially designed to make it easier for users to pump it. How to use it is as follows:

Exhale slowly to get rid of the mucus inside your nose before using the medicine.
Open the lid of the nasal spray bottle and shake it a few times. Spray it into the air until it releases liquid.
Tilt your head forward and exhale slowly.
Hold the bottle with your thumbs on the bottom with your index and middle fingers on top.
Use the other finger to cover the nostrils that are not receiving the drug.
Press the pump with your index and middle finger until the liquid comes out. At the same time, inhale the liquid into the nostrils.
Do the same for the other nostril.

2. Nasal spray in a can

Nasal spray the can has the same function as the pump-shaped nasal spray. The difference is, this product is equipped with a packaging made from a can to regulate the spray pressure of the drug that is sprayed.

Here's how to use a canned nasal spray:

Exhale slowly to get rid of the mucus inside your nose before using the medicine.
Make sure the small can fits snugly into place. Shake the small can of the medicinal liquid several times before using it.
Bring your head up and exhale slowly.
Hold the nasal spray by placing your thumb on the bottom of the medicine and forefinger on the top.
Use the other finger to cover the nostrils that are not receiving the drug.
Gently press the can into place while inhaling the medicine into the unclosed nostril.
Do the same for your other nostril.
As much as possible, try not to sneeze or drain your nose right after using this medicine.

Nasal irrigation and nasal spray reliable enough for sufferers of allergies and sinusitis who don't want to take medication. However, you certainly have to use it properly so that the benefits of the treatment are felt optimally.

Neither of these medications should be used long-term. If the symptoms on the nose do not improve or get worse, stop treatment and discuss with an allergist to get the right treatment.