To Your Health: Nasal irrigation

“Nasal irrigation is essentially using a salt water solution to help sort of clean out the nasal passages,” said Pallot. “So it’s more of a natural way sort of to help with allergies and maybe some congestion that you have as a result of allergies or a cold.”

This process helps clear mucus, pollen, and other particles from inside the nose. As a result, it can make breathing easier and may relieve congestion.

Pallot says this method is especially helpful for people who want a drug-free way to manage mild symptoms.

“It’s definitely a good kind of first option to sort of clear things out. See if that helps with your symptoms,” she said.

While nasal irrigation can help remove allergens from the nose, Pallot points out that it is not a cure-all.

She says it may help clear out pollen and other irritants, but it does not treat the underlying inflammation that could be causing symptoms.

Still, she says many people find nasal irrigation helpful as part of their overall allergy management routine.

According to Pallot, one of the main concerns is ensuring people use the appropriate water and saline products.

She strongly advises against using tap water and table salt to make homemade rinse solutions.

“Always good to use, like, distilled water or a water that you kind of purchase that’s bottled at, like a pharmacy, for example, that’ll make sure that there isn’t any sort of tiny little bacteria that could cause an infection of some kind in there,” said Pallot.

Using distilled or specially prepared water lowers the risk of introducing harmful organisms into the nose.

Pallot also recommends that people avoid making their own saline mixtures at home. Saline solutions are widely available and are designed to provide the proper salt concentration for safe and effective use.

“It’s better to sort of buy a prepackaged saline version and mix with that distilled water,” she said. “That’ll make sure you get the correct concentrations to help with relieving symptoms.”

If the concentration is incorrect, it can cause discomfort and reduce the treatment’s effectiveness.

Pallot says nasal irrigation can be a good first step in managing mild allergy symptoms, but some people might still need medication if their symptoms worsen.

She encourages people to talk to a pharmacist or health-care provider if their symptoms persist or begin to affect their daily lives.

As pollen levels rise during the summer, health professionals say it is important to focus on prevention and symptom management. For many, a simple saline rinse can help, as long as it is used safely and correctly.

by Dave Branco

To Your Health: Nasal irrigation

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