Using a nasal douche • How does a nasal rinse work?

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The best home remedies for a cold

Nasal douche as a home remedy for colds

As a home remedy, it ensures that the nasal mucous membrane does not swell too much if you have an acute cold with a runny nose. And even after a cold, many swear by the regular nasal douche, which accelerates the healing process by moistening the mucous membrane. When regular nasal rinsing can still be of benefit:

How does a nasal douche work?

Underpressure ensures that stuck mucus, dust, pollen and bacteria are released from the main nasal cavity and flushed out of the nose. The nasal mucous membrane is moistened and it is easier to breathe deeply. The nasal douche is not only suitable for adults, but also for children.

The basis of the nasal douche is a lukewarm isotonic saline solution. This has the same salt content as our blood. Therefore, the solution does not irritate the mucous membranes like normal tap water would. Pre-portioned salts for the nasal douche are available in pharmacies and drugstores. They are also available in concentrated form as a brine solution or loose as a powder.

Do nasal rinsing yourself

You can also make the solution for the nasal douche yourself by dissolving nine grams of table salt (two teaspoons) in one liter of lukewarm water. The solution must not sting your nose. Therefore, it is best to use special rinsing salt from a pharmacy or drugstore that works without iodine and fluorine.

The solution should always be freshly prepared. Lukewarm tap water is usually sufficient; only in some cases, such as after nose operations, do you have to resort to a sterile solution.

How often do you use nasal douche?

The nasal douche can be performed several times a day in the event of an acute infection. For chronic complaints such as constant runny nose or problems with the sinuses, doctors recommend flushing once a day. The isotonic solution can be used for an unlimited period of time; long-term use is problematic only with the wrong solutions. If the liquid is not the right composition, regular rinsing leads to irritated mucous membranes. As a result, the immune cells in the nasal mucous membrane can no longer adequately ward off bacteria and viruses: the risk of getting sick increases.

Tips for the correct use of the nasal douche

Showering your nose is very easy:

• Hold your head at an angle, bend forward and let the solution run through your nose with a jug or other nasal rinsing container from a pharmacy, drugstore or online shop.
• To do this, first let the liquid flow in through one nostril and out through the other and then switch sides. Open your mouth as you do this, otherwise the solution may run down your throat. If so, just spit it out.
• Gentle blowing of the nose after the nasal shower increases the cleansing effect.
• As an alternative to the jug: Dip your nose into the cupped hand or a vessel with the solution and carefully pull up the rinsing solution on one side alternately or on both sides.

If the solution does not easily flow through one nostril into the other, light pressure on the walls of the nasal douche (if it is made of plastic) can help. If the following attempts also fail, the doctor or pharmacist can advise you.

When choosing the right nasal rinsing container, make sure that it is easy to clean. In order not to give pathogens a chance, rinse the jug with warm water before and after each use and ideally let it dry upside down after use. Every now and then, clean jugs made of ceramic, glass, porcelain or metal thoroughly in the dishwasher or by boiling them out. If noted on the packaging, some containers need to be replaced once a year.

Ensure a good indoor climate

Not only regular nasal showers can protect against colds. High humidity from damp cloths, water vessels and potted plants counteracts the dry heating air in winter and prevents the nasal mucosa from drying out.