The use of a nasal wash consisting of a saline solution helps in treating a stuffy nose caused by colds or allergies, and in this article we will talk about the correct way to use a nasal wash, and the potential harms from using it.

How to use nose wash

There are a number of simple steps, to use nasal wash, which are:

• Choose the method that will be used, because there are many ways to put saline solution to clean the nose, such as using a squeeze bottle, a sterile syringe, or a neti pot that resembles a teapot.
• Prepare the saline solution at home, which consists of sterile water and pure salt, or buy it from the pharmacy, and it is preferable to buy a nasal wash from the pharmacy to ensure that the water is sterilized to avoid infection in the nose.
• After choosing the appropriate medium and placing the saline solution in it, the head is tilted towards the pelvis.
• Inserting the used method into one of the nostrils, and slowly applying pressure until the water enters one of the nostrils, while breathing through the mouth.
• Avoid water entering the throat and try to adjust the head to the appropriate position.
• Try to get the water out of the other nostril, and try to drain the excess mucus.
• Repeat these steps in the other nostril.
• Gently empty the nose after completion with a soft tissue.

Preventive tips for using nasal wash

There are a number of tips that it is preferable to follow, when cleaning the nose with rinsing, which are:

• Wash hands well before starting to clean the nose.
• Avoid using tap water, and use distilled, purified water, or boiled water.
• Be sure to clean the medium used to clean the nose after use.
• Avoid using cold water, especially after sinus surgery, to avoid bone growth inside the nose.
• Avoid using hot water.
• Dispose of the saline solution after use.
• Avoid using nasal rinses for children, except after consulting a doctor and following his instructions.
• Avoid using this method in case of non-healing wounds on the face.

Benefits of using a nose wash

There are many benefits to using a nose wash, including:

• Nasal mucus removal.
• Clean the nasal passages from dry mucus.
• Enhance the functions of the respiratory cilia, which are hair-like cells that help clear the nasal passages of impurities.
• Reducing swelling and inflammation.
• Moisturizing the nasal passages.

Contraindications to the use of nasal rinse

There are some cases in which this method should not be used, including:

• Complete blockage of the nasal passages.
• Ear infection.
• The ears are completely clogged with mucus.
• Inability to adjust the position of the body, to get rid of mucus while using lotion.

Disadvantages of using nose wash

The danger of using this method lies in not using sterile water, which may cause parasites and microorganisms to enter the nose and the emergence of symptoms such as:

• severe headache;
• fever.
• stiff neck.
• coma.
• convulsive seizures;
• Altered mental state.
• amoebic brain infection

And when the lotion is used correctly, some symptoms may also appear after use, which are:

• Irritation of the nasal passages.
• sneezing;
• ear pressure.
• Nosebleeds are a rare symptom.

After learning how to use a nasal wash, this method helps to clean the nose of excess mucus as a result of colds, allergies, or other reasons, with care to use this method correctly, especially with regard to the use of water purified with saline.