Nasal Irrigation - Solutions Used For Nasal Irrigation

Solutions Used For Nasal Irrigation

While nasal irrigation can be carried out using ordinary tap water, this is not safe and additionally can be uncomfortable because it irritates the mucous membranes. Therefore an isotonic or hypertonic salt water solution is normally used, i.e. water with enough salt to match the tonicity of the body cells and blood. For the same reason, lukewarm water is preferred over cold water, which in addition to irritating nasal membranes can also exaggerate the gag reflex during irrigation. Use of distilled, sterile or previously boiled and cooled water over ordinary tap water is advised. Tap water safe for drinking is not necessarily safe for nasal irrigation due to risk of rare but fatal brain infection. A small amount of baking soda is sometimes employed as a buffering agent to adjust the pH of the irrigating solution to that of the body.

Many pharmacies stock pre-manufactured sachets of pharmaceutical grade salt and baking soda designed to be used with the volume of water their corresponding device uses. Sometimes manufactured solutions such as a lactated Ringer's solution is used. It is also simple to make a salt-baking soda mixture.

Optional additives include xylitol which is claimed to draw water into the sinus regions and helps displace bacteria. Xylitol is commonly used to prevent acute otitis media in Europe and dental caries in the United States, but research into xylitol use in the sinus cavities is lacking. Another nasal irrigation additive is aloe extract, which helps to prevent nasal dryness. Sodium citrate and citric acid help not only to balance the pH, also helps to improve the sense of smell. As noted above, in December 2011, the Louisiana state health department reported 2 deaths from Naegleria fowleri in which the use of contaminated tap water for nasal irrigation was strongly implicated.