How to properly prepare a saline solution for rinsing the nose at home?

Rinsing your child's nose with saline solution is the most effective and harmless way to get rid of a runny nose at home. Unlike an adult, it is usually difficult for a child to determine what exactly is bothering him and why water is flowing from his nose or, conversely, it is very blocked. Difficulty breathing is the first sign of a viral infection or a common cold. But there are other reasons: for example, allergies.

The appearance of mucus indicates that there is a problem, and the body is actively fighting it. Transparent liquid secretions delay the passage of germs, allergens and viruses. Their transformation into thick green snot is dangerous - at this stage, mucus, as an immune barrier, no longer works.

A runny nose cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, it will not go away on its own. It has plenty of side effects: moodiness, headache, general malaise, etc. You can't do without quick and effective help.

When does a child need to rinse his nose?

A saline solution used to rinse a child's nose moisturizes and cleanses the mucous membrane. The procedure is indicated not only for the active treatment of a runny nose, but also as a means of regular hygiene. This is the easiest and most affordable way to help your child cope with a runny nose or nasal congestion.

To fully restore respiratory function, it is necessary to determine the exact cause of the runny nose and carry out a course of treatment under the supervision of a doctor. Proper rinsing of a child’s nose is just one of the procedures. Unlike medications, it can be carried out independently, without a doctor’s prescription, from infancy.

Can I use a nebulizer to inhale essential oils?

Not worth it. The fact is that the correct use of essential oils involves their evaporation, and nebulizers, like compressor inhalers, work on a different principle. These devices turn oil into a cold, fine cloud that penetrates deep into a person's lungs. In the case of ether compounds, this is extremely undesirable, as it can lead to the development of oil pneumonia, a severe type of pneumonia.11

Sources

1. Chow AW, Benninger MS, Brook I, Brozek JL, Goldstein EJ, Hicks LA et al. IDSA clinical practice guideline for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children and adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2012; 54(8): 72-112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cis370
2. WHO. Virology of human influenza // https://www.euro.who.int/ru/health-topics/communicable-diseases/influenza/data-and-statistics/virology-of-human-influenza
3. Zaplatnikov A.L. Safe use of nasal vasoconstrictor drugs in children // https://www.rmj.ru/articles/pediatriya/Bezopasnoe_primenenie_nazalynyh_sosudosughivayuschih_preparatov_u_detey/
4. Malakhov A.B., Shatalina S.I., Dronov I.A., Malakhova-Kapanadze M.A., Denisova A.R. Topical decongestants in the complex therapy of acute respiratory infections in children (literature review) // Medical Council. 2015. No. 14. P. 26-29 // https://www.med-sovet.pro/jour/article/view/354?locale=ru_RU
5. Pshenichnaya E.V., Dudchak A.P., Usenko N.A. Decongestants and their side effects in the treatment of acute rhinitis in children (clinical example) // https://mednauki.ru/index.php/MD/article/view/223/482
6. Federal clinical recommendations for the provision of medical care to children with acute respiratory viral infection (acute nasopharyngitis) M.: Union of Pediatricians of Russia; 2015. 12 p. // https://www.pediatr-russia.ru/sites/default/files/file/kr_onaz.pdf
7. Karpova E.P., Tulupov D.A. Nasal vasoconstrictor drugs in pediatric practice. Effective pharmacotherapy. 2012. No. 9. P. 18-22 // https://umedp.ru/articles/nazalnye_sosudosuzhivayushchie_preparaty_v_pediatricheskoy_praktike.html
8. Nagornaya N.V. Aromatherapy in pediatrics. Prague: Cosmetio Karl Hadek International 1998.
9. Bogomilsky M. R., Chistyakova V. R. Pediatric otorhinolaryngology. M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2006. // https://www.rosmedlib.ru/book/ISBN9785970422595.html
10. Reducing the drug burden on the children's body: experience in using essential oils for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections. RMJ No. 9 from 09/05/2018 pp. 13-17 https://www.rmj.ru/articles/pediatriya/Umenyshenie_lekarstvennoy_nagruzki_na_detskiy_organizm_opyt_ispolyzovaniya_efirnyh_masel_dlya_profilaktiki_i_lecheniya_ostryh_respiratornyh_infekciy/#ix zz6cuLCTMzB
11. Princely N.P. Features of the use of nebulizers in the treatment of chronic lung diseases. RMJ No. 18 dated September 26, 2017 // https://www.rmj.ru/articles/bolezni_dykhatelnykh_putey/Osobennosti_ispolyzovaniya_nebulayzerov_v_terapii_hronicheskih_zabolevaniy_legkih/

Solution for rinsing a child’s nose at home

A saline solution is recommended as a nasal rinse for children. It is better to purchase it at the pharmacy: special preparations based on sea water have a balanced composition. There are a number of nuances associated with this:

• Ready-made preparations based on sea water. Preparations such as Sialor Aqua do not require preparation. Washing can be done immediately after opening the ampoule. The salt concentration in it is approximately 6.5 g of salt per 1 liter of water. This saturation allows you to avoid unpleasant sensations in the form of burning. Children's noses are very sensitive to excess salt. If you overdo it once and cause discomfort, it will be difficult to rinse later. With the ready-made solution "Sialor Aqua" such a situation is excluded. The concentration is optimal even for rinsing the nose of an infant. The package contains 10 anatomical ampoules with sea water - each contains a single dose. One is enough for one-time use.

Sea water for rinsing the nose Sialor Aqua

• Homemade solution of table or sea salt for rinsing the nose of children. For 1 liter of warm (not hot!) boiled water, 1 tsp is required. salt (table or sea salt without additives). This corresponds to 9 g of salt per 1 liter of water. The composition is saturated with sodium and chlorine salts, enriched with magnesium, zinc, potassium, calcium and normalizes the natural functioning of cells. When the salt concentration is exceeded, a burning sensation is felt. This is extremely unpleasant for the baby, so you should not increase the amount of salt when preparing the solution. It won't make him any more effective.

Neither one nor the other composition has side effects, overdose is excluded. At the same time, you can quickly use the ready-made product without doubting how balanced its composition is. It is conveniently and economically packaged - no pipette or syringe is needed for irrigation.

If decongestants are sold over the counter, are they safe?

If the instructions are followed exactly, the risks of taking decongestants in adults are low. However, you should not discount them. The range of side effects of drugs in this group is quite wide. The most harmless of them are dryness and burning in the nasal cavity.

Other side effects include:

• ciliotoxicity - slowing down the beating of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membrane;
• "rebound" syndrome - deterioration of the patient's condition after discontinuation of the drug or addiction to it;
• development of medicinal or atrophic rhinitis;
• systemic adrenergic effect.

In addition, patients should be warned about the risk of developing rhinitis medicamentosa if the drops are used for more than 7 days (according to the instructions for use). Their long-term use provokes disturbances in the autonomic regulation of blood vessels.

Systemic adrenergic effect (tachycardia, high blood pressure, hyperexcitability) is another undesirable consequence of the use of these drugs. It can develop both against the background of an overdose and with the correct use of anticongestants.

How to rinse a child's nose at home?

The easiest way to explain to a child how to rinse the nose and why this procedure is needed in general is to show it to yourself. Attempts to rinse your nose quickly, strictly and without explanation will not work. As soon as he suspects the possibility of pain, and the syringe and douche are associated with it, all mother’s efforts will be nullified.

The technology of introduction and irrigation is simple, but requires strict consistency. You need to do the following:

1. Place the child facing the sink.
2. Tilt his head over it, slightly moving it forward and to the side, without placing it on his shoulder.
3. Inject the sea salt solution into the child's upper nostril. When using a pipette, insert the whole one into one nostril; syringe - up to 2 ml. Using ready-made Sialor Aqua bufus, count 2 drops for each nostril
4. If the head is positioned correctly, water with residual mucus, crusts, pus, etc. will flow out of the lower nostril.

Scheme for rinsing the nose with saline solution

To rinse a child’s nose with a runny nose, a single injection of the solution is sufficient. There is no need to repeat several times in a row to enhance the effect. It is better to carry out the procedure several times during the day. Following the recommendations for the ratio of water and salt guarantees painlessness. Having tried it once, the baby will not be afraid to rinse his nose, especially when he feels that breathing has become easier.

Recommendations for preparing the product for different occasions

The solution is very easy to prepare, and the ingredients for it can be found in any home. Just keep in mind that the liquid needs to be prepared anew each time, and to dilute the components you should use warm boiled water or room temperature. Depending on the problem, recommendations for using the composition may be different - let's look at them in more detail.

When a toothache takes you by surprise

To relieve acute pain in teeth, it is recommended to dilute a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. You can rinse your mouth every half hour until the intensity of the symptom subsides. You can add a teaspoon of soda to the main composition - then the effect will be more pronounced and come faster. Many also advise adding a couple of drops of iodine. On how to properly rinse a sore tooth, experts give the following recommendations:

• Before rinsing, you need to brush your teeth with a brush and toothpaste,
• the solution should be warm or at room temperature - if it is too cold or hot, the pain will only intensify,
• It is better to keep the liquid from the side of the causative tooth, focusing on treating the diseased area,
• There is no need to rinse your mouth with water after the procedure.

Rinsing is also used to relieve acute pain in the teeth.
As mentioned above, upon completion of the procedure, the liquid must be spat out. Each time the composition must be prepared anew, otherwise its effectiveness will significantly decrease.

If there are signs of acute inflammation in the soft tissues

To treat inflamed gums, the composition is recommended in the same proportions - about 200 ml of warm boiled water and a teaspoon of salt and soda. In this case, you can add a couple of drops of sage essential oil or a drop of iodine. Regular rinsing will help relieve swelling and soreness, reduce redness of the gums and strengthen the mucous tissue.

The composition can only be used in courses, and not on an ongoing basis, otherwise the effect may be reversed. The product will speed up the healing process if the mucous membrane hurts after tooth extraction. Only in this case, you shouldn’t rinse too intensely - you can simply hold the liquid behind your cheek on the side of the causative tooth.

While brushing your teeth for prevention

Sometimes salt and soda are recommended to be added to daily dental and oral care products. So, for example, in the composition of toothpaste, these ingredients enhance its abrasive and whitening properties. It is enough to squeeze a small amount of paste onto the brush, then take a little of the mixed powder and brush your teeth thoroughly for a minute.

Baking soda is also used when brushing teeth

Try not to touch your gums, and after completing the procedure, rinse your mouth with plain water. The mixture can be used in this way for a limited period of time. Otherwise, you can seriously injure the enamel, and this is fraught with the development of hyperesthesia and other unpleasant consequences.

Features of nasal rinsing for children under one year old

It is more difficult to rinse the nose of a very young child than for someone older in age. It will not be possible to explain how to behave. Show too. Everything needs to be done gently, quietly, without sudden movements. Many mothers are afraid to carry out any medical procedures on their own at first, for fear of harming or causing pain to the baby, so in this situation we recommend not to worry and adhere to the following rules:

1. Buy a saline solution for rinsing the child’s nose marked 0+.
2. Place the child on his back.
3. Turn the head to the side.
4. Place 2 drops into the upper nostril.
5. Lift the head so that the residue flows out through the lower nostril.
6. Repeat with the other nostril.

At the end of the procedure, you can clean the nose with a cotton swab soaked in baby oil. It will soften the mucous membrane, eliminate discomfort and allow you to remove dried crusts. Children under one year old do not need to frequently drip the solution to rinse the nose - 2-3 times a day is quite enough. As soon as the nose breathes normally and the discharge is noticeably reduced, rinsing can be left only as a morning hygiene procedure.

Features of use in childhood

The composition can be given to children only from the age of 5. It is important that the child can already independently control the procedure, otherwise the baby may accidentally swallow the composition, and this is fraught with undesirable consequences for his stomach and digestive system. In addition, the components can leave burns on the mucous membrane.

For older children, the product is prepared according to the same principle, but in a lower concentration - half a teaspoon per glass of warm water. It is better to avoid iodine altogether - the effect of salt and soda is quite enough to relieve acute symptoms and disinfect tissues.

Contraindications for nasal rinsing

Before starting the procedure, objectively assess the child’s condition. It cannot be carried out categorically in the following cases:

• Severe swelling that interferes with breathing.

In this case, there is a risk of saline solution getting into the middle ear and causing an infection. First you need to eliminate the swelling.

• Otitis.

You should not rinse your nose if you have otitis media. We only recommend that you carefully instill the drops.

• Allergy.

The manifestation and development of an allergic reaction in children is unpredictable.

• Fragile blood vessels and, as a result, frequent nosebleeds.
• Formations in the nasal cavity.
• Deviation of the nasal septum.

You can go outside no earlier than 30 minutes after the end of the procedure. Water remaining in the sinuses can cause a cold or inflammation.

Having perfected the technique, mothers often include rinsing the nose with saline solution for children over one year old who have a runny nose in their list of daily hygiene procedures. You can maintain the working condition of the mucous membrane by other methods. For example, additional air humidification during the heating season, regular walks outside, and compliance with the drinking regime.

How to Make Sure Saline Is Safe

It is important to try to prevent any bacteria or other contaminants from entering the solution when making your homemade saline solution.

The following tips will help prevent contamination of the saline solution:

• use only clean materials to make the saline solution;
• Avoid touching the solution with your fingers or hands;
• use a thoroughly cleaned bottle for each new batch of saline solution;
• Use clean, dry droppers and rinse bottles when using irrigation solution.

Despite a person's best efforts, contaminants can still end up in the solution. In this case, discard it if it looks cloudy and dirty.

Consumer Reviews

Bubble_gum (irecommend.ru):

“Hello to everyone who stopped by! As you already understand, today I will share my experience of using Asepta Active mouth rinse. Problems with my gums have been tormenting me for a long time - they constantly bleed and become inflamed. One of the reasons is tartar, which I recently went to remove. You can read about how it was and whether you need it here.

After treatment, the doctor prescribed this mouthwash to me. They didn’t tell me how long I needed to use it, but I already understood that it was a week, and then a break. Otherwise, as the dentist said, the microflora of the oral cavity can be disrupted.

I bought Asepta Active mouthwash in a regular pharmacy for 138 rubles, in the clinic where I had my teeth treated it costs 180 rubles. I bought it in the summer, now the price, for example, on the website is 174 rubles. A little more expensive at a regular pharmacy.

I purchased Asepta Active because... it is aimed at treating gums. Simply "Asepta" is intended for freshness of the oral cavity.

The set includes a measuring cup.

Color: transparent, due to the design of the packaging it seems blue.

Taste: Mint.

When using it, it stings and burns a little. The tongue becomes numb if the mouthwash is not diluted with water.

Consumption: the cost-effectiveness of the product naturally depends on how often you use it and in what quantity.

I use it according to the instructions - I dilute half a measuring cup with water, otherwise it makes my mouth ache, but not too much and not scary, in principle. I use this rinse 1-2 times a day, but not daily. One such bottle lasted me a little more than 1 month. Very economical. But let me emphasize once again: the consumption depends on your personal volume of use of the product.

What effect are we promised from using this mouthwash?

Mouthwash "Asepta®":

• has a pronounced antibacterial effect;
• relieves inflammation and bleeding of gums;
• prevents the formation of dental plaque;
• freshens breath.

I have been using this rinse for more than 4 months, intermittently, and I can say that there is a result. Of course, not only does it solve my problems, I also use Asept toothpaste, and, of course, the correct movements with the toothbrush. And in case of severe inflammation, I save myself with dental gel (this and this)

Action:

• The gums have become less bleeding, although this is the merit not only of this rinse, but of other products as well.
• After use, you feel fresh for a long time.
• Dental plaque began to form less.

Compound:

Active substances:

• Benzydamine hydrochloride Chlorhexidine bigluconate Menthol 0.15% 0.05% 0.01%
• Excipients:
• Water, xylitol, glycerin, polysorbate 20, food mint flavoring.

I didn’t look into the ingredients here, the main thing is that the rinse aid helps, and that’s good. I don’t take it internally.

Side effects may occur when using this mouthwash:

When applied topically, the components do not have a systemic effect.

Allergic reactions, dry mouth, numbness, burning sensation in the mouth, and drowsiness may occur.

Apart from numbness of my tongue, I had nothing else. (And then, only for the first time, when I didn’t read the instructions.) Therefore, I dilute the rinse aid with water 1:1.

Now I always buy this rinse aid, I am satisfied with it. I give it 5*.

I recommend purchasing Asepta Active mouth rinse if you have found your corresponding symptoms in the Indications for Use. .

Thank you for your attention.

And remember, everything is individual, I described my experience of using it and my impressions of the product.”

Dewilka(irecommend.ru):

“The best rinse for problem gums + TIPS for use!!! LOTS OF PHOTOS + how to make a simple but effective mouthwash!!!

I have problem gums. Exacerbation of periodontitis occurs periodically. I used to think that only those over 50 suffer from this disease... how wrong I was. And recently I got braces, and decided from the very beginning to maintain the health of my gums, since many people experience worsening of various gum diseases when wearing braces.

My periodontist recommended the Asepta rinse as the most effective rinse that really HELPS.

A 150 ml bottle cost me 182 rubles. I bought it at a pharmacy kiosk at a local city dental clinic. It is not so easy to find in the city, and it is practically never found in local pharmacies.

This rinse is intended for use in infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. This means that you can’t use it just like that, for example, to freshen your breath. Otherwise, you can harm yourself. I'll explain why below.

The composition includes a solution of chlorhexidine 0.05%, which is a strong and effective broad-spectrum antiseptic. This means that with long-term use (more than 1 week), you can spoil the microflora of your mouth, and even develop oral thrush! So, don't overuse it!

It also contains benzydamine. Apparently, it is he who causes severe numbness of the tongue. If I had read the instructions at the beginning, I would not have suffered after the first use. I felt my tongue numb for several hours. In general, read the instructions every time you use something for the first time! It is necessary!

For those too lazy to read the instructions, here's a photo:

It also contains xylitol, which has a powerful anti-caries effect, which is good news.

Glycerin is also present in the composition. To retain moisture.

There is polysorbate - it has a good effect on the gums and has an astringent effect. But for me, it would be better if they added a decoction of oak bark, it would be more helpful.

What does the mouthwash taste like??? The most interesting thing is that the food flavoring “mint” is in the LAST place in the composition. I don’t know how much of this flavor there actually is in the mouthwash; it tastes like you’re rinsing your mouth with a simple chlorhexidine solution. That’s why it’s the last place in the lineup, because there’s the bare minimum of it there. In general, the taste is disgusting.

God, what am I happy about... I have never seen a rinse with dyes!))))

One bottle of mouthwash lasted for 7 days.

RESULT OF WEEKLY USE:

• the condition of the gums has improved significantly;
• they stopped bleeding and hurting;
• gums have become stronger (according to internal sensations)

Now I don't worry about them Smile

As a preventive measure, I plan to buy it in the future. The product is excellent. It helps a lot!

I recommend it to anyone with bad gums!

Tip: if you are concerned about the feeling of numbness in your mouth, simply dilute the product with water. I fill half a measuring cup with rinse aid and then add water. approximately 1:1. This does not affect the effectiveness, but is much easier to tolerate.

And finally, I want to share with you a simple recipe for a homemade mouthwash. It can be easily prepared at home. You can use filtered water or any herbal decoction as a base. A solution of chamomile or oak bark is best. You can also include various essential oils that can only be found in pharmacies. The best option is tea tree oil. It has excellent bactericidal, wound-healing, antiviral, immunomodeling, and disinfectant properties. Good breath freshener. Instead of essential oil, you can add 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix everything thoroughly. You can rinse both morning and evening. Store the remaining solution in the refrigerator. Dilute a little with warm boiled water.

Enjoy it to your health!”

Sources:

1. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/v/kompleksnoe-lechenie-hronicheskogo-retsidiviruyuschego-aftoznogo-stomatita-s-ispolzovaniem-preparatov-lineyki-asepta Balashova L.V., Barakov M.A., Khaikin M.B. The use of "Asept" in the treatment of periodontal tissue diseases, bulletin of the medical institute "REAVIZ"
2. The use of drugs from the Asepta line in the complex treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases (N.V. Berezina E.N. Silantyeva S.M. Krivonos, Kazan State Medical Academy. Kazan.) N.V. BEREZINA, E.N. SILANTIEVA, S.M. KRIVONOS Kazan State Medical Academy
3. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sovremennye-lechebno-profilakticheskie-sredstva-dlya-individualnoy-gigieny-polosti-rta Silantieva E.N., Berezina N.V., Krivonos S.M. Complex treatment of chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis using drugs from the Asept line, Practical Medicine journal

Experts' opinion

Numerous clinical studies have proven the therapeutic effect of the Asepta line of drugs.
All focus group patients noted the analgesic effect of the product; after using the rinses, tissue healing was observed in all patients; the hygienic condition of the oral cavity improved in all patients. The products are recommended in the complex treatment of patients, and their availability and ease of use make it possible to recommend them in the clinical practice of dentists[1]. According to the results of clinical studies, after 3 weeks of using ASEPTA® rinse, gum bleeding decreases by 28.3%, inflammation decreases by 32.3% and oral hygiene improves by 33.5%*.