How To Make Nasal Saline Solution

How Do You Use a Saline Rinse for Sinus Problems?

Photo Courtesy: BSIP/UIG/Getty Images

Sinus infections, or sinusitis, can be distracting, uncomfortable and even painful. Fortunately, one easy way to ease the congestion caused by sinus problems is a saline rinse, also known as nasal irrigation. By using a saline solution to clean out the sinuses, you can significantly ease the symptoms of colds and allergies alike. While you can buy the materials necessary for a saline rinse at most drug stores, you can also make your own at home.

How Sinusitis Works

Sinuses are air-filled pockets behind the nose that produce mucus. Normally, this mucus drains into and moisturizes the nose, where it helps keep bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms as well as dirt, dust and pollutants out while letting air in. While some of these things occasionally make their way through the nose and into the sinuses, the flow of mucus back into the nose usually keeps them from being a problem.

However, if something stops that drainage — most often swelling of the nasal passages caused by a cold or allergies — then there's a problem. The viruses, bacteria and other organisms that would normally be pushed out of the sinuses and back to the nose can easily reproduce in mucus once it stops flowing, and an infection results. Your body fights back with inflammation, which can cause headaches and facial pain, as well as more mucus to try and flush the bacteria away. As white blood cells fight off the infection, mucus thickens and sometimes changes color.

While the process eventually solves the problem, it can be quite uncomfortable. You may also experience a cough, bad breath, fever, inability to smell or taste things or even toothaches or a sensation of pressure or other disturbance in your ears.

How Does a Saline Rinse Work?

The word "saline" refers to saltwater. By pouring a special saline solution in one nostril, you can wash away dust, pollen and other irritants while also loosening thick mucus, all of which drains out the other nostril when done properly. Unlike regular water, a properly prepared saline solution can pass through nasal membranes without any burning sensation or risk of introducing new bacteria or other organisms to your sinuses. Your cilia — the tiny hairs in your nasal passage that keep out dust and other particulates — are less effective when your nose is dry, so a saline wash can help them as well.

You can use a bulb syringe or a neti pot — a small device that looks like a teapot with a long spout made specifically for the task — to give yourself a saline rinse. Both are available at most drugstores. Whichever you choose, the important thing is to keep it clean to avoid giving yourself an infection while performing a saline rinse.

Saline sprays can moisturize the nasal passages and even deliver helpful medications like phenylephrine or oxymetazoline, and they may seem less intrusive than a full saline rinse. However, they don't thin mucus or remove germs and irritants from the nose as effectively. They may be better suited for less severe cases of sinusitis or be used alongside nasal irrigation to offer relief during the day when the former treatment isn't practical.

Making Your Own Saline Sinus Rinse

While you can buy a premade saline solution at most drugstores, you can also make your own. One crucial thing to remember, however, is that you can't use just any salt and water. You need a non-iodized salt without preservatives or anti-caking agents to avoid irritating the nasal passages further. More importantly, you can't use water straight out of the tap. While tap water is normally safe to drink, it can contain bacteria and protozoa. These microorganisms can't survive in the stomach, but in the nose, they can cause severe infection and in very rare cases, death. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you should either buy distilled water, use a CDC-approved filter (the one you use to remove minerals and make your tap water taste better might not cut it) or boil tap water for three to five minutes before allowing it to cool until lukewarm. Fortunately, you can store the remaining water in a clean, closed container for up to 24 hours before you need to boil it again.

The exact proportions of the saline solution used in nasal irrigation can vary, but the American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends stirring ½ teaspoon of non-iodized salt and another ½ teaspoon of baking soda into 2 cups of safe-to-use water. While a doctor may prescribe a solution with higher salt content, which can draw out moisture and further reduce swelling caused by allergies or surgery, it can cause irritation and discomfort. If your immune system is compromised, consult a doctor before performing any saline rinse.

How to Cure Sinus Infection

Sinus infections are usually caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't help with treatment, according to Healthline. You can treat your sinus infection by drinking lots of water and eating foods that will help boost your immune system, such as garlic and ginger. Clearing your sinuses with saline solution can also help, and you might want to take an over-the-counter medication to reduce congestion.