Nasal Saline Rinse/Sinus Rinse

Article Translations: (Spanish) (Hmong) (Somali)

Why use nasal saline rinses?

• Washing the nose with saltwater, helps to keep the nasal passages open and healthy by rinsing out thick or dried mucus. 
• Helps improve the function of cilia that help to clear the sinuses. Cilia are the tiny hair-like structures on the cells that line the nose and sinuses.
• Helps prevent infection of the sinuses and reduce postnasal drip.
• Helps keep the nose feel more comfortable by keeping the mucous membranes moist.

Where do I find nasal saline solution?

You can buy dry saline nasal packets at a pharmacy, or you can make your own saline solution (see below):

Saline solution recipe:

1. Add about 1 cup (237 ml) distilled water to a clean container. If you use tap water, boil for at least 5 minutes first to sterilize it and allow it to cool until it is lukewarm/room temperature. Filtered and reverse osmosis tap water should also be boiled. You can store boiled water in a clean container for up to 3 days. 
2. Add ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) pickling or canning salt to the water.
3. Add ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) baking soda.

You can store homemade saline solution at room temperature for 3 days.

How should I prepare my child?

1. Use simple words to explain the procedure. Explain the procedure before it is done.
2. For children, it is often helpful to start with nasal spray to get them used to the inside of the nose feeling wet (saline spray is simply a mist that moistens the inside of the nose. It is not usually adequate to treat significant nasal congestion or discharge).
3. Once your child is used to the saline spray, then move up to full nasal saline rinses.
4. The saline rinse may cause a burning feeling the first few times you use it. Most children get used to the rinse after a few times.

How is it done?

1. Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer for at least 30 seconds.
2. Fill a nasal rinse squeeze bottle (available at pharmacies) with 8 ounces or 1 cup of distilled or previously boiled water. Add a packet of of the store bought saline or homemade saline mixtrure. Tighten the cap on the bottle and place one finger over the cap and shake it to dissolve the mixture.
3. Have your child stand over the sink and insert the tip into your child’s nostril and squeeze gently (do not plug the other nostril).
4. Aim the stream of saline toward the back of your child’s head, not towards the top.
5. The saline solution should go through the nose and out of the mouth or the other side of the nose.
6. Have your child blow their nose gently after the saline rinse.
7. Clean the bottle each day.

To avoid infections, it is important to clean and disinfect the squeeze bottle each day.

1. Rinse the cap, tube and bottle with running water.
2. Fill the bottle with distilled or previously boiled water and add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap.  Attach the cap and tube to the bottle, hold your finger over the opening and shake the bottle vigorously. Squeeze the bottle hard to empty it completely.
3. Rinse the soap from the bottle with more distilled or previously boiled water. Shake out excess water.
4. Place the wet bottle, cap and tube in the microwave. Heat on high for 40-60 seconds. This will disinfect the bottle.
5. Allow to air dry on a clean paper towel.

Other tips/recommendations:

• Do the saline rinse BEFORE your child uses other nasal medications. The rinse will help the nose and sinuses absorb the medication(s).

Questions?

This information is not specific to your child, but provides general information. If you have any questions, please call your clinic.

Reviewed 11/2024

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