Daily nasal hygiene against colds & Co.

Keeping the nose, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract clean is an effective preventive measure.

Especially in children, but also in adults who tend to experience repeated episodes of colds during the winter and seasonal changes, regularly taking care of the hygiene of the nose with washes or aerosols with saline solutions is a simple and effective method to prevent annoying symptoms such as redness, inflammation and stuffy nose and to relieve discomfort when viruses have already hit.

Unlike nasal decongestants in drops or sprays, the use of which is contraindicated in children under 12 years old, and admitted in moderation, for no more than 3-4 days, in adults, nasal washes and aerosol with isotonic saline solutions help to clear the nose without sensitizing the mucous membranes or causing the unpleasant “rebound effect”, consisting of an accentuation of cold symptoms (nasal inflammation and rhinorrhea) when its use is stopped.

The solution comes from the sea

On the contrary: the rebalancing action of the mineral salts contained in specific nasal solutions sold in pharmacies and their “humidifying” effect help to improve local immune defenses, offering prolonged natural protection.

Salt solutions for nasal and aerosol washes can be purchased in pharmacies without the need for a prescription and are very simple to use even in babies of a few months, for which they represent practically the only authorized remedy against colds and in general against all conditions that lead to excessive mucus production.

In the case of washing, to free the nose from mucus, simply put yourself (or place the child) in a lying position on one side and instill 2-3 drops of solution in each nostril (one at a time), being careful not to touch the nose with the regulator.

Next, you have to return to a sitting position and blow your nose with some determination. If the child is very small and not yet able to blow from the nose effectively, the excess fluid and nasal mucus can be removed with the help of a small nasal aspirator (soft rubber bead), to be gently inserted into the nostril for 2-3 millimeters.

This procedure can be repeated even several times a day if the cold is very intense. In the evening before bedtime, nasal washes (or aerosol) with saline solution allow you to clear the nose, facilitating night rest; In the morning, upon waking up they help eliminate mucus accumulated during the night. In newborns not yet weaned, it may be useful to repeat these procedures even before feeding to allow the baby to suck milk better.

Rules to store it well

To take advantage of all the beneficial properties of saline solutions, remember to store them, once opened, in the refrigerator, tightly closed and in an area separate from food, for a maximum of seven days (to avoid mistakes just write the opening date on the package).

If more than one family member needs nasal washing, to avoid unintentionally transferring cold viruses from one to another, care should be taken to use individual saline vials, for example by writing the name (or a distinctive symbol) on each package.

Alternatively, you can opt for the most practical solutions in single-dose packaging that avoid any risk of contamination and keep longer.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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