Sea water for the nose – types, action, dosage, side effects. Which sea water to choose?

Proven content

Nasal seawater is a purified sodium chloride (NaCl) solution used to moisten the nasal passages. Its name comes from the fact that, like real sea water, it contains sodium chloride, i.e. salt in various concentrations, depending on the type of preparation. Sea water for the nose moisturizes the nose and helps to dissolve and loosen the thick mucus most often resulting from colds. Nasal seawater is especially useful for clearing blocked nasal passages in children who are unable to blow their noses.

Sea water for the nose – action

Sea water for the nose is a sodium chloride solution, most often in the form of an aerosol. Sea water for the nose is sometimes also referred to as isotonic, i.e. at the same concentration as the concentration of secretions in the nasal cavity, and in this version it is used in infants.

Sometimes sea water for the nose may additionally contain other mineral salts and trace elements, such as sulfur, copper, selenium, iron or manganese. Sea water for the nose has a moisturizing and cleansing effect on the mucosa. In addition, it prevents the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections by flushing out contaminants, viruses and bacteria with potentially pathogenic effects.

See also: The first symptoms of a respiratory infection that must not be ignored

Sea water for the nose – types

There are two types of nasal sea water:

1. sea ​​water to the nose hypertonic – its main task is to clear the nose, reducing the swelling of the nasal mucosa, but also to facilitate the cleaning of the nose and moisturize its interior. It is characterized by a wider range of properties, but you need to know that it can be used only from a certain age (in the case of some preparations – from 3 months of age, other manufacturers allow the use of their agent only from the age of 3 or even 6), you should not also abuse it when it comes to the duration of the application.
2. isotonic sea water for the nose – its task is to cleanse the nose of various impurities, pollen, viruses and bacteria and moisturize its mucosa. It can be used, depending on the type of preparation, from the first days of life and, which is also important, without any time limit.

Sea water for the nose – application

There are many situations where seawater nasal can help us. Belong to them:

1. dry nose;
2. stuffy nose due to colds or sinus infections;
3. allergies;
4. prevention of nosebleeds;
5. snore.

If you have a medical condition for which you have been prescribed steroid nasal sprays, your doctor may advise you to use sea water in your nose before each use.

Some people with obstructive sleep apnea may also use a seawater nasal spray to reduce nasal congestion at night while using CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure), which is continuous positive airway pressure. Since seawater can flush out molecules called allergens, it can reduce nasal swelling. This can improve airflow through the nose and prevent mouth breathing (which can also contribute to snoring).

Sea water nasal spray has the advantage that there is no risk of rebound hyperemia (with shortness of breath that becomes chronic when the drug stops working). This problem can occur with long-term use of a nasal decongestant such as Afrin (Oxymetazoline).

See also: CPAP can save the lives of COVID-19 patients

Sea water for the nose – dosage

The seawater nasal spray can be applied through the nostrils as often as symptoms require. Sea water can be used daily without any potential harm to the body. The effects can be relatively short-lived, requiring multiple daily applications. If the seawater for the nose is overused, you may just notice a discharge dripping from the nose as the excess water drains from our nose.

Sea water for the nose is safe for children and adults. It is important for infants to apply sea water to the nose with the child lying on his back with his head to the side. Spray the preparation into the upper nostril. Then we repeat the treatment in the other nostril.

It does not interact with other medications, but if you are using seawater nasal spray along with medicated nasal sprays (such as a steroid nasal spray), use it first. If we use sea water for the nose after using the medicinal nasal spray, we can flush the medicine out and thus reduce its effectiveness.

How to use sea water for the nose in the form of a spray?

Please refer to the instructions included with the preparation to determine the best way to use the spray.

It is generally recommended that you follow these steps:

1. you can be upright and you don’t have to tilt your head back.
2. nostrils by blowing your nose gently.
3. close the nostril where you are not going to spray it by pressing your finger on it.
4. place the spray bottle under the nostril to which we apply, away from the septum (center of the nose) so as not to damage it.
5. close your mouth and inhale lightly through your nostrils while gently squeezing the spray applicator. Usually, the instructions recommend two doses at a time (for one nostril).

See also: Spray don’t kill the coronavirus.

Sea water for the nose – who should use it?

Sea water for the nose is recommended for daily hygiene, flushing out allergens, cleaning the nose of impurities, pathogens and residual secretions. It is especially recommended for people who overuse nasal decongestants because sea ​​water for the nose is not addictive. It also has a very simple and natural composition, making it safe and recommended even in the case of a runny nose in a child from the first days of life, as well as in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

It is recommended to use sea water in ampoules for wound care and eye washing in newborns and infants. Sea water in this form is also recommended for inhalation. For this purpose, seawater is placed in the inhaler nebulizer and when it is started, it is sprayed in the form of water vapor straight into the respiratory tract by a compressor. Thanks to this, sea water moisturizes the respiratory tract and cleans it of secretions.

Rinsing the nose with isotonic sea water is recommended for people using other nasal medications.

In addition, nasal rinsing is recommended:

1. in people working in air-conditioned and dusty rooms, 
2. in people with allergic rhinitis, to flush allergens from the surface of the nasal mucosa, 
3. during runny nose and sinus inflammation, in order to restore the physiological functions of the nasal mucosa, 
4. after surgery on the nose and paranasal sinuses to remove blood clots and residual secretions. 

See also: Saline for the eyes – properties and application

Sea water for the nose – which one to choose?

There are sea water nasal preparations available on the market, enriched with various tactile substances. Most often, ectoine with a moisturizing and antiallergic effect or hyaluronic acid with a moisturizing effect or dexpanthenol with a regenerating effect is added to the sea water. The addition of these substances is to guarantee more intensive hydration of the nasal mucosa, its cleansing and protection against drying.

Before deciding on a specific nasal saltwater, we should consider whether it should be isotonic or hypertonic, bearing in mind the purpose of its use. It is recommended to choose preparations that do not contain preservatives, the most common of which is benzalkonium chloride, which, with prolonged use, may cause irritation of the nasal mucosa.

In addition, it is good to pay attention to the type of applicator. There are seawater nasal sprays (allowing the preparation to be administered in any position) or in the form of atomizers (the tube immersed in the limiting fluid limits the application direction).

Sea water for the nose – side effects

Using sea water for your nose is quite safe because it is made of natural ingredients. Even day-old babies can use isotonic sea water. In the case of hypertonic sea water, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions or medical indications.