Nasal Spray To Prevent Sinus Infections

How Does Nasal Irrigation Work

Could A Nasal Spray Prevent Infection With Coronavirus?

Nasal irrigation involves pouring a saline solution in one nostril and letting it flow through your nasal cavities until it drains out the other nostril. The draining saline should, in theory, take with it bacteria-filled mucus and any allergens that are caught inside. Nasal irrigation is intended to decongest the nasal passages, improve your ability to breathe and open your sinuses back up.

Heres how we, at Allergy & ENT Associates, suggest performing nasal irrigation if youre looking for an at-home treatment that doesnt require you to go into a doctors office.

Create the saline mixture using a quart of clean water. It doesnt need to be boiled.

Add two to three large teaspoons of pickling or canning salt, NOT table salt, which sometimes contains additives. Also, add a teaspoon of baking soda. If you are making a saline solution for a child, you may want to use less salt at first until they are accustomed to the irrigation.

Stir or shake the solution to ensure it is thoroughly mixed.

Pour the water into a clean bowl. It can be warmed up slightly but it shouldnt be hot.

Fill a bulb/ear syringe or a Waterpik® with the solution. Dont put a previously used syringe into the bowl with the original solution to avoid contamination.

Get in the shower or lean over the sink and squirt the solution into each nostril. Try to aim at the back of the head as opposed to the top. We suggest using a quantity equivalent to three full bulb syringes per nostril.

Side Effects Of Steroid Nasal Sprays

Steroid nasal sprays do not usually cause any significant side effects if used correctly and at normal doses.

Side effects can include:

a stinging or burning sensation in the nose
dryness and crustiness in the nose
a dry, irritated throat
an unpleasant taste in the mouth
itchiness, redness and swelling in the nose

You can report any suspected side effect to the Yellow Card Scheme.

Neti Pot Beats Steam For Sinus Congestion Relief

Rinsing nasal passages with saline solution may improve symptoms, study says

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, July 18, 2016 — Inhaling steam probably won’t open your chronically clogged sinuses. But nasal irrigation may bring some relief, a new study finds.

“People with chronic and recurrent sinusitis have poor quality of life, similar to having a major chronic disease,” said lead study author Dr. Paul Little, professor of primary care research at the University of Southampton in England.

“It is very nice to be able to provide something really simple that empowers people to manage this problem, helps them with their symptoms, reduces the need to take over-the-counter medications, and makes them less likely to want to see the doctor in future attacks,” he said.

More than 29 million American adults were diagnosed with sinusitis in 2014, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal cavities often caused by a virus, allergy, bacteria, fungus, or possibly an autoimmune reaction.

For those with chronic sinusitis, doctors often recommend steam inhalation or nasal irrigation — rinsing the sinuses with a saline solution.

The steam treatment group was asked to inhale steam for five minutes every day. They were directed to place a towel over their head and stand over a bowl of recently boiled water.

The results aren’t surprising, one doctor said.

The study was published July 18 in CMAJ.

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CMAJ

First Line Of Defense Against Sinusitis: Nasal Irrigation

One of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective ways to prevent and treat sinus problems is nasal irrigation. Using a homemade solution, you can often relieve sinusitis symptoms, reduce reliance on nasal sprays and antibiotics, and improve your quality of life. At least once a day, follow these steps:

Stir ½ teaspoon of non-iodized salt and ½ teaspoon of baking soda into 2 cups of lukewarm distilled or previously boiled water .

Fill a small bulb syringe with the saltwater solution.

Lean over your bathroom or kitchen sink, insert the tip of the syringe just inside one nostril, and gently squeeze the bulb. The water will run back out the nostril and into the sink. Use at least one full bulb of solution.

Repeat the procedure in the other nostril.

Thoroughly rinse and dry the bulb syringe or neti pot after each use.

Afrin No Drip Extra Moisturizing Pump

Nasodren® nasal spray for sinus infection symptoms relief ...

Recently in a case study, an American lady who was found COVID-19 positive isolated herself and started using nasal spray by Afrin. It helped her a lot to subside her Coronavirus symptoms and she saved herself from making her symptoms worsen and did not require any respiratory support. With this example, we all know that Afrin Nasal spray provides relief from cold symptoms for up to 12 hours. Its a non-drowsy formula with Oxymetazoline hydrochloride that gives quick relief of nasal congestion, but its advised to use it for not more than three days.

Also Check: When Do I Need Antibiotics For A Sinus Infection

What Causes A Sinus Infection

In most cases, acute sinusitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which means it usually develops after youve had a cold or the flu. Its possible for an acute sinus infection to develop into a chronic infection over time. However, most chronic sinus infections are caused by:

Problems with the physical structure of your sinuses such as nasal polyps, narrow sinuses, or a deviated septum
Allergies such as hay fever that cause inflammation

Certain health conditions are also known to accompany chronic sinusitis. These include:

Asthma
Primary immune deficiency disesase

How Do I Store And/or Throw Out Sinus Nasal Spray

Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Also Check: Best Home Remedies For Cold And Sinus

Sinus Infection Definition And Facts

Sinusitis or sinus infection is inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose.
Sinusitis can be caused by infection, allergies, and chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses.
The fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection can include medications, home remedies, alternative therapies, and surgery.
Most people do not spread sinus infections to other people.
Sinusitis may be classified as acute sinus infection, subacute sinus infection, chronic sinus infection, infected sinusitis, and noninfectious sinusitis.
Sinusitis signs and symptoms include

Check If You Have Sinusitis

Nasal spray could protect from infection

Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
a blocked nose
a reduced sense of smell
green or yellow mucus from your nose
a sinus headache
toothache
bad breath

Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth.

The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.

Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.

This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.

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Which Specialties Of Doctors Treat Sinus Infections And Sinusitis

Sinusitis is often first diagnosed by a general practitioner, primary care physician, or internal medicine physician. A pediatrician may diagnose sinus infections in children.
If sinusitis is chronic or severe, you may be referred to an otolaryngologist, also called an ear, nose, and throat specialist . If your sinusitis is caused by allergies, you may be referred to an allergist.
If you experience an emergency due to your sinusitis, go to the Emergency Department at the nearest hospital.

Which Medications Help Drain The Sinuses

Home remedies that open and hydrate the sinuses may promote drainage. Please refer to home remedies for information about how to:

Increase daily fluids
Take expectorants and pain relievers
Irrigate the sinuses with saline

If environmental allergies cause sinusitis, antihistamines may help reduce swelling of the mucous membranes. Allergens stimulate white blood cells in the blood and tissues to release histamine into the circulation, which causes nasal congestion.

Some of the older sedating OTC antihistamines are no longer recommended because they tend to dry out and thicken the mucus, making drainage more difficult.
Non-sedating antihistamines such as fexofenadine , cetirizine , levocetirizine , loratadine , or desloratadine do not seem to dry out the mucosa. If nasal congestion is severe, a decongestant can be added .

Also Check: Best Medicine For Sinus Drainage And Sore Throat

Can Saline Spray Help With Your Sinus Infection

Posted on by Coastal Ear, Nose & Throatin Sinusitis

Facial pressure and pain, pounding headaches, and congestion are all typical hallmarks of a sinus infection, which is also known as sinusitis. There are many treatments available both OTC and by prescription, but how exactly does saline spray help sinus infections?

How Do You Use The Neti Pot

There aren’t any official medical guidelines, but Neti pots usually come with an insert that explains how to use them. You might also want to ask your family doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist to talk you through the process so you can get comfortable with the Neti pot before trying it on your own.

Typically, to use the Neti pot or other nasal irrigation device, mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free, preservative-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and store in a small clean container. Mix 1 teaspoon of this mixture in 8 ounces of distilled, sterile or previously boiled and cooled water.

If you experience burning or stinging, cut the amounts of dry ingredients to make a weaker solution. For children, use a half-teaspoon with 4 ounces of water.

Once you’ve filled the Neti pot, tilt your head over the sink at about a 45-degree angle. Place the spout into your top nostril, and gently pour the saline solution into that nostril.

The fluid will flow through your nasal cavity and out the other nostril. It may also run into your throat. If this occurs, just spit it out. Blow your nose to get rid of any remaining liquid, then refill the Neti pot and repeat the process on the other side. It’s important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.

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How Can Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis Be Prevented

Prevention of a sinus infection depends upon its cause.

Avoid contracting upper respiratory tract infections. Maintain strict hand washing habits and avoid people who are suffering from a cold or the flu.
Obtaining the flu vaccination yearly will help to prevent the flu and subsequent infection of the upper respiratory tract.
In some studies, zinc carbonate lozenges have been shown to reduce the duration of many cold symptoms.
Stress reduction and a diet rich in antioxidants, especially fresh, dark-colored fruits and vegetables, may help strengthen the immune system.
Plan for seasonal allergy attacks.
If a sinus infection is caused by seasonal or environmental allergies, avoiding allergens is very important. If avoidance is not an option, either OTC or prescription medication may be helpful. OTC antihistamines or decongestant nasal sprays can be used for an acute attack.
People who have seasonal allergies may benefit from nonsedating prescription antihistamines during allergy-season.
Avoid spending long periods outdoors during allergy season. Close the windows to the house and use air conditioning to filter out allergens when possible. Humidifiers may also be helpful.
Allergy shots, also called “immunotherapy,” may be effective in reducing or eliminating sinusitis due to allergies. An allergist administers shots regularly for 3 to 5 years, which often produces a reduction or complete remission of allergy symptoms for years.

Stay hydrated

How Can You Tell If You Have Chronic Sinusitis

Does it feel like your sinus infection just wont quit? If you experience at least two of the following for 12 weeks or more even though youve been treated it may be chronic sinusitis:

A stuffed nose
Discharge of mucus or postnasal drip
Pain or pressure in your face
Problems with smell

Chronic sinus infections can be triggered by colds but are typically caused by long-term inflammation. Sometimes, when treatments to control that inflammation fail, people with chronic sinusitis need surgery to drain their mucus.

How You Can Treat Sinusitis Yourself

You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:

getting plenty of rest
taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking
cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion

Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool.

Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.

Wash your hands.

Stand over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it.

Sniff the water into 1 nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.

Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day until your nose feels more comfortable.

You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.

Who Can Use Steroid Nasal Sprays

Nasal Irrigation or Nasal Sprays to Treat Sinusitis Allergy Common cold Flu

Most people can use steroid nasal sprays.

Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice before using one if you:

have had an allergic reaction to steroids in the past
have recently had surgery on your nose
have tuberculosis or an infection in your nose
are having, or have recently had, treatment with steroid tablets or steroid injections into your blood
are looking for a nasal spray for your child
are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby

Steroid nasal sprays are normally safe to use while breastfeeding and during pregnancy, but it’s a good idea to get medical advice first.

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Which Home Remedies And Otc Medications Soothe Sinus Infections And Sinusitis Symptoms And Headache Pain

Home care can help relieve sinus infection or sinusitis symptoms, open the sinuses, and alleviate dryness.

Home Remedies to Promote Drainage

Drink plenty of water and hydrating beverages such as hot tea.
Inhale steam two to four times per day by leaning over a bowl of hot water or using a steam vaporizer. Inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. Taking a hot, steamy shower may also work. Mentholated preparations, such as Vicks Vapo-Rub, can be added to the water or vaporizer to aid in opening the passageways.

OTC Medications to Thin Mucus

Expectorants are medications that help expel mucus from the lungs and respiratory passages. They help thin mucous secretions, enhancing drainage from the sinuses. The most common is guaifenesin . OTC sinus medications also can combine decongestants and cough suppressants to reduce symptoms and eliminate the need for the use of many prescription medications. Read label ingredients to find the right combination of ingredients or ask the pharmacist.

OTC Medications to Relieve Pain

Pain medication such as ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce pain and inflammation. These medications help to open the airways by reducing swelling. Acetaminophen can be used for pain and fever but does not help with inflammation.

Nasal Saline Irrigation

There are several methods of nasal irrigation, and a popular sinus remedy is the Neti-pot, a ceramic pot that looks like a cross between a small teapot and Aladdin’s magic lamp.

Natural Remedies For Sinus Infections

1. Top Foods & Beverages for Sinus Infections

Water Adequate hydration is the key to flushing out the virus from your system. Try to drink at least 8 ounces every 2 hours.

Chicken broth with vegetables This traditional remedy of bone broth helps soothe the nasal cavities and respiratory system, along with providing important minerals.

Horseradish Anyone who has accidentally eaten too much horseradish has experienced its potent ability to clear nasal passages. Mix some horseradish with lemon to make it even more potent.

Ginger Make a ginger tea and add raw honey to aid in recovery.

Garlic and onions Both of these vegetables help boost immune function.

Vitamin C rich foods Consuming foods high in vitamin C can boost the immune system and speed recovery from sinusitis.

2. Foods & Beverages to Avoid

Sugar Decreases white blood cells that help fight off infection.

Fruit juices Although orange juice contains some vitamin C, it is not as high in vitamin C as whole fruits or vegetables. If you want to drink juice, dilute it.

Dairy products Milk and other dairy products are mucus producing so it is best to avoid them.

Refined flour and grains All refined grains can cause more mucus production.

Salt Without adequate water intake, salt can be dehydrating and slow healing of the inflammation of the sinuses.

3. Oil of Oregano

4. Grapefruit seed extract

5. Vitamin C

6. Garlic

7. Echinacea

8. Neti Pot

9. Add Moisture

10. Essential Oils

Also Check: Sinus Pressure And Blurry Vision

Why We Get Sinus Infections Manhattan

Some of us get a sinus infection occasionally, while others find they are a chronic problem. According to research conducted by a sinus specialist in Boston, compared to patients with other chronic conditions like heart failure and back pain, those patients that suffer with sinusitis report the highest level of pain, and the lowest level of social function. They have problems working, and it affects both their energy level and mental health.

Our sinus cavity, located between our eyes and nose, acts as a filter for the air we breathe before it reaches the lungs. There is always bacteria in the nose and its mostly harmless, but should the lining of the sinus cavity and nose come in contact with certain bacteria, a virus or an allergen, they can become swollen, inflamed, and congested. The result is a back-up of mucus and lack of drainage.

If the nose is too dry and no mucus is flowing, this can also trigger a sinus infection.