How to Use Saline Nasal Sprays Effectively and Safely

A saline nasal spray is a sterile saltwater solution used to lubricate, moisturize, and flush nasal passages in adults, children, and even babies. It is a simple option for treating nasal and sinus dryness, itching, and congestion caused by colds and allergies. It can also be used to relieve snoring.

Unlike steroid nasal sprays or antihistamine nasal sprays, saline nasal sprays do not contain medicine. This means you can safely use it as often as you need to relieve your symptoms.

Uses

Saline nasal spray can be used for the following purposes:

• Moisturize the nasal passages, especially in dry, hot climates
• Relieve postnasal drip (mucus draining down the back of your throat) caused by colds and sinus infections
• Relieve nasal congestion caused by colds and allergies
• Help loosen and clear nasal mucus
• Reduce sneezing caused by hay fever or irritants like smoke
• Help reduce snoring in people who mouth-breathe
• To improve breathing during CPAP therapy in people with sleep apnea
• To prevent chronic nosebleeds
  
• To aid with healing after nasal or sinus surgery

Some studies suggest saline nasal spray can help reduce congestion, runny nose, and sneezing in people with COVID-19. Even so, speak with your healthcare provider before using any nasal spray to treat COVID-19.

Types

Saline nasal sprays are small spray bottles that contain saline—a mixture of sodium chloride (salt) and sterilized water. The saline solution used in nasal sprays is isotonic, meaning it has the same saline concentration as that naturally found in the human body.

Most saline nasal sprays have the same two ingredients: sterilized water and salt. Sometimes, preservatives are added to increase the product's shelf life. Saline nasal sprays are available over the counter (OTC) at most drugstores and generally cost a few dollars.

The sprays usually come in a squirt bottle or pump bottle. For babies and children, there are saline nasal sprays and saline nasal drops, both of which work equally well.

There are different saline spray brands for children and adults. In addition to OTC brands such as Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Mist (for adults) or Boogie Saline Nasal Mist (for children), many drugstore chains carry their own branded products.

How to Use

Your spray will come with instructions. Make sure to follow them carefully. Your healthcare provider might also give you a different set of instructions.

There are some general guidelines for using any saline nasal spray:

1. Sit or stand in an upright position. You do not need to tilt your head back.
2. Gently blow your nose to clear any debris from your nostrils.
3. Close one nostril by pressing your finger against it.
4. Place the tip of the spray bottle into the open nostril.
5. Close your mouth.
6. Inhale slightly as you simultaneously squeeze the spray bottle.
7. Repeat as per the instructions. Most saline nasal sprays recommend two squeezes per nostril.

Saline nasal sprays can be used in adults, children, and babies. However, saline drops may be easier to use in infants because the tip of the spray bottle may be large for smaller nostrils. Also, the spray can cause coughing or gagging in babies if squeezed too forcefully.

Side Effects

Saline nasal sprays are generally safe and usually do not cause any side effects. If you notice stinging or dryness in your nose after spraying, it is more likely due to preservatives in the product. Switching to a preservative-free spray may help.

Although the sprays are safe for daily, ongoing use, they can cause a runny nose if you use too much at a time.

How to Make Your Own Saline Nasal Spray

You can make your own saline nasal spray at home with salt and tap water. Here is a simple recipe to try:

• Mix 1 teaspoon of non-iodized or kosher salt with four cups of regular tap water.
• Pour the mixture into a clean pot and gently boil, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Let cool to a lukewarm temperature.
• Pour into a sterile squeeze bottle.
  

The high salt content is hostile to most bacteria and disease-causing microorganisms. Even so, the solution should be kept for no longer than three days, whether at room temperature or refrigerated. Discard the contents after three days, and wash the bottle thoroughly between uses.

You can also combine 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with 1 cup of distilled water and mix to dissolve. Place in a sterile squeeze bottle, and discard the contents after 24 hours.

How Do Saline Nasal Sprays Work?

Saline nasal sprays help relieve nasal congestion through a process called osmosis—water molecules are moved through membranes to equalize moisture on both sides.

The salt in the saline solution draws moisture from the nasal passages. If nasal passages are swollen, the spray can draw water out to reduce fluid overload and improve breathing. If nasal passages are dry, the spray can draw water out to increase moisture and prevent cracking or bleeding.

Helping Allergies

Studies show that the use of saline nasal sprays effectively relieves allergy symptoms and improves overall quality of life in people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Saline nasal spray helps relieve allergy symptoms in a few ways:

• Saline helps flush out mucus, allergens, crust, and other irritants from the nasal passages.
• By loosening debris, the spray clears congestion and blockages so that you can breathe easier.
• Saline moisturizes the nasal passages, relieving dryness, itching, and even nosebleeds.

Because non-prescription saline nasal sprays do not contain drugs, you can safely use them in addition to other allergy medications you may already be using.

Alternatives

Saline sprays may not be enough to relieve nasal congestion. You may need other treatments, particularly if your nasal passages are completely shut and you are forced to mouth-breathe.

One such example is an age-old home remedy known as a neti pot. This is simply a pot with a spout through which you can pour salt water into your nostrils. The process itself is referred to as nasal irrigation. Neti pots can be found online and in most larger retail drugstores.

There are also medicated nasal sprays, both over-the-counter and prescription, that you can use to treat certain nasal conditions:

• Antihistamine nasal sprays treat nasal allergy symptoms by blocking the action of an allergy-causing substance called histamine.
• Decongestant nasal sprays contain ingredients that help open blocked nasal passages.
• Steroid nasal sprays treat a wide range of allergic and non-allergic conditions, including nasal polyps, by reducing inflammation.
• Cromolyn nasal sprays treat nasal allergy symptoms by preventing the release of histamine from white blood cells known as mast cells.

Summary

Saline nasal sprays contain a mixture of salt and water and help relieve congestion caused by colds, flu, allergies, and other upper respiratory conditions. They can also keep nasal passages from drying out and aid with healing after nasal or sinus surgery.

You can use a saline nasal spray as often as needed. They are safe and usually do not cause any side effects. Saline nasal sprays are inexpensive and readily found at most drugstores. You can also make your own at home with non-iodized or kosher table salt and water.