A good home-based way of unclogging the nose is to perform a nasal lavage with 0.9% saline solution and a needleless syringe, because through the force of gravity the water enters through one nostril and leaves the other without causing pain or discomfort, eliminating the maximum of phlegm.
The nasal lavage technique is excellent for clearing upper airway secretions, but it is also a good way to keep your nose clean and useful for anyone with a respiratory allergy, rhinitis or sinusitis, for example.
Step by step nasal lavage with serum
In adults and children this procedure should be performed in the bathroom sink and the person should follow the following steps:
- Fill the syringe with about 5 to 10 ml of saline;
- During the procedure, you should open your mouth and breathe through your mouth;
- Tilt the body forward and head slightly to the side;
- Position the syringe at the entrance of one nostril and press until the serum exits through the other nostril. If necessary, adjust the position of the head until the serum enters through one and leaves the other nostril.
It is recommended to do this cleaning 3 to 4 times in each nostril depending on the need and to finish should blow your nose after the procedure to remove as much secretion as possible. If you find any difficulty in performing this standing procedure, you can try lying down, as shown in the following image.
In addition to using the syringe and saline solution, nasal lavage can also be done with a small device called Narin, which has been developed only for this purpose, which can be purchased from pharmacies or the internet.
How to do nasal lavage in baby
To do the technique properly one should place the baby on his lap, facing the mirror and hold his head so that he does not turn and get hurt. To start you should place the syringe in the baby's nostril and press the syringe quickly so that the stream of serum enters one nostril and exits naturally through the other nostril. When the child is already accustomed to the nasal lavage there is no need to hold it by placing only the seringo in his nostril and then pressing.
Other Tips for Unclogging Your Nose
Other tips to unclog the nose include:
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer in each room of the house;
- Drink about 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day as the water helps to thin the mucus;
- Place a pillow under the mattress to keep your head elevated and to facilitate breathing;
- Wear warm compresses on the face to relieve discomfort and open the sinuses.
The use of nose cleansers such as Sorine, for example, should only be used under guidance and medical prescription.
