Nasal Irrigations

Purpose: Nasal irrigations will facilitate drainage of congested sinuses. Allowing the sinuses to empty via the nasal passages will decrease pressure, headaches, nasal congestion, sore throat and upset stomach due to postnasal drainage and possibly even prevent a sinus infection. This procedure is usually done one to three times a day depending on your symptoms. Nasal irrigations may be done by using a Sinus Rinse bottle or with a bulb syringe. You can go to www.unimedprod.com for more information on this product.

Initially, this treatment may not be pleasant or well received, especially by younger children. We recommend having a 5-minute discussion and play therapy with your child, and then quickly do the nasal irrigation treatment. Ultimately, your child will feel better and the treatment may help prevent sinusitis and unpleasant symptoms caused by sinus congestion.

Supplies to be assembled near a sink:

Premixed Sinus Rinse packet or medium bowl of saline (recipe below)
Sinus Rinse bottle or a large, clean bulb syringe

Nasal Irrigation treatment steps:

1) Mix the Sinus Rinse packet in the Sinus Rinse bottle with warm water according to the instructions on the bottle. If you are using a bulb syringe, squeeze the air out of the bulb syringe and place the tip of the syringe in the bowl of saline solution to fill it.
2) Lean forward over the sink, face tilted down with your chin tucked to the chest. Children may have to stand on a chair or stepstool. This can also be performed in the shower if you prefer.
3) Hold the tip of the Sinus Rinse bottle or bulb syringe in your nasal passage and gently squeeze the bottle or bulb syringe. Blow your nose as the water is dripping out of the nose.
4) Repeat steps 2& 3 for the opposite nostril, noting the color and consistency of mucus after irrigation. Repeat the treatment for up to 10 minutes or until the mucus drainage is clear.
6) Be sure to wait several minutes until your nasal passages are dry before using any prescription nasal sprays (Astelin, Atrovent, Flonase, Nasacort, Nasonex, Rhinocort).
 
Troubleshooting tips:
 
1) If you are using nasal irrigations during a cold or sinus infection, be sure to clean the bulb syringe or Sinus Rinse bottle in 10% Clorox & water between each use to prevent reinfecting sinuses.
2) This treatment should not make you cough, choke, sputter or cause any pain. The saline should enter the nostril, travel to the sinus cavities and come out the opposite nostril. If the saline is entering the back of the throat, you need to lean further over the sink and say the word “CLICK” while performing the irrigation. This closes the palate and prevents the saline from passing from the nose to the back of the throat.3) If blood-tinged nasal discharge is noted, apply Vaseline on a Q tip and gently coat the inside of the nasal cavity at bedtime. 
 
Recipes for mixing saline solutions (when using a bulb syringe):
 
Normal Saline – for everyday use unless instructed otherwiseYou will need: warm tap water, baking soda, table salt, glass jar with lid
Pour 2 cups warm tap water into the jar along with 1-teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon baking soda. Mix the water.
 
Hypertonic Saline – use this for the 1st few days after signs of a cold or sinus infection are noted then switch back to the Normal saline solutionPour 4 cups warm tap water into the jar along with 2-3 teaspoons of pickling or canning salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the water. 
 
For both types of saline irrigation solution, put a cover on the jar and store it in the refrigerator. You will need to shake the mixture and warm it to body temperature before each use. Each mixture can be stored up to 5 days in the refrigerator.