Saltwater as a nasal spray?

Planterz

Planterz

Іди на хуй Путін!
Platinum Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2004
Messages
24,600
I've been using Afrin (or the Walgreens version thereof) from time to time to relieve conjestion, but I've discovered that there's a "rebound effect". The stuff works by constricting blood vessels inside your nose skin. Overuse (and I think I'm overusing it) actually causes damage to these vessels, inflaming them, which causes, go figure, more conjestion. :rolleyes:

I've heard that salt water (ie: saline solution) work for conjestion as well. I assume pure salt is best (I think the seasalt I have in the kitchen is pure enough), but at what concentration should I use? Has anyone else tried this sort of thing with any success?
 
You should look into a product called ENTsol nasal wash. I use this and it works great.

ENTSOL® Spray Buffered Hypertonic Saline Aerosol Nasal Spray
Hypertonic nasal spray. 100 ml. Ingredients - Purified Water, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phospate - Dibasic, Potassium Phosphate - Monobasic



Spray_photo.jpg


http://www.entsolwash.com/
 
Use very little salt -- like half a dozen grains of salt to a bottle. It'll work with no salt at all, but if you use too much salt it'll burn you. You can buy it already mixed in an inhaler bottle at any drugstore, and if you find you use it a lot refill with distilled water and a tiny bit of salt.

I've found I have less sinus trouble since I quit smoking.... :cool:
 
I've had good experience with the drug store bottles for years. I think Ken's example is a newer (and nicer) dispenser for a similar formula.
You can mix your own if you really want to, but even with my allergies, the bottles would usually last until they expired or I lost them. :o
In more extreme situations, like a sinus infection, you might try a nasal rinse. Recently some people say they might even protect against colds.
 
I feel for you Planterz. Been there a few times.

Afrin seems to be the worst as far as the rebound symptoms. What it it going to come down to is stopping with the spray and putting up with the congested feeling for a few days.

I cant remember for sure, but I think the Afrin ingredient is oxymatazoline. Try a spray with a different ingredient to help you past the rebound. Dristan and Neosenephrine(sp?) are good but I think they are the same ingredient. I like the Vicks spray too. I think it may be different.

The saline sprays will give you a little relief, but not much. Try to spend some time outside in cold air to keep your passages open.

The little Vicks tube type inhalers help a little bit too. Guaifenesin decongestant tablets and lots of water should help get you flowing.

Hope this helps you.
Hang in there.
Alex
 
Afrin is seriously nasty stuff. You don't ever want to use it as it will cause sinus rebound within just a few days. An ENT doctor once told me that you should NEVER use anything stronger than 0.25% Neosynepherin. The problem is that almost no stores carry it in that weak a dosage so that I must special order it.

As to using the salt water, it certainly works to flush out the crud and as well as soothing irritated membranes just so long as you don't use too much salt in it. Another suggestion is the yoga trick of pouring distilled or filtered water down one nostril and letting it run out of the other. It sounds hoffible, but it actually does work to flush out the sinuses. Just do not ever use unfiltered chlorinated water, it will tear your nose apart.
 
FullerH said:
Afrin is seriously nasty stuff. You don't ever want to use it as it will cause sinus rebound within just a few days. An ENT doctor once told me that you should NEVER use anything stronger than 0.25% Neosynepherin. The problem is that almost no stores carry it in that weak a dosage so that I must special order it.

As to using the salt water, it certainly works to flush out the crud and as well as soothing irritated membranes just so long as you don't use too much salt in it. Another suggestion is the yoga trick of pouring distilled or filtered water down one nostril and letting it run out of the other. It sounds hoffible, but it actually does work to flush out the sinuses. Just do not ever use unfiltered chlorinated water, it will tear your nose apart.
Click to expand...

Don't know about the Yoga bit but AFRIN IS FOR ACUTE CONGESTION. To be used once/twice etc. The rebound will get you addicted to it. I only used it to help get down in a plane when I got congested at altitude.

PAul
 
FullerH said:
Afrin is seriously nasty stuff. You don't ever want to use it as it will cause sinus rebound within just a few days. An ENT doctor once told me that you should NEVER use anything stronger than 0.25% Neosynepherin. The problem is that almost no stores carry it in that weak a dosage so that I must special order it.

As to using the salt water, it certainly works to flush out the crud and as well as soothing irritated membranes just so long as you don't use too much salt in it. Another suggestion is the yoga trick of pouring distilled or filtered water down one nostril and letting it run out of the other. It sounds hoffible, but it actually does work to flush out the sinuses. Just do not ever use unfiltered chlorinated water, it will tear your nose apart.
Click to expand...

Yeap they use what is called a neti pot to pour into the nostril.
 
There was just a segment on one of the NPR news shows (Science Friday?) I listen to on this. Seems saline nasal irrigation definetely helps out if done at the first sign of cold/respiratory flu symptoms. Not only flushes out some of the nasties, but promotes production of mucous and such.
 
First off, all OTC nasal sprays are alpha agonists. Regardless of what flavor, they all work by the same mechanism of action, which is to vasoconstrict. Less blood flow to the nasal mucosa equals less snot. Rebound after discontinuing any of the alpha agonists will occur after three days of continuous use. So, if you really having a difficult time you can use any of the remedies without concern as long as you discontinue use after three days. Various saline solutions will help moisten the nasal mucosa only. They do not decrease mucus production and will not make you feel much better. If you're actually suffering from acute rebound after discontinuing the drug can, I would recommend taking 30 mg of pseudoephedrine by mouth every six hours and tapering back over a period of three days. If this is a chronic problem, I'd consider seeing your doctor to be evaluated for sinusitis. He might recommend an inhaled steroid which is quite effective. Also you might try Clariten D which is available as an OTC medication.
 
My eye doc actully recomended salt water to help with sinus pressure and it really works. He had me use kosher salt because it is pure salt (sea salt has all kinds of minerals in it that may be great for taste but not what you want in your nose!).

Rather than spray, he has me using something called a Neti Pot, which looks like a little tea pot with a long spout - get 'em in health food shops.

You mix a very small amount of salt - maybe 1/4 teaspoon with a pot of water and pour it into one nostril with your head down and tilted: water actually will pour out the opposite one. really clears everything out with no side effects.

Sounds gross, but it works!!
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not sure I'm into the neti pot idea just yet, but Altoids are doing nicely for the time being.
 
I've never head of the product mentioned above, but there is an Afrin Saline spray that is just salt water that works well. Also AYR is a saline solution that has been around forever and works well. Best recommendation is to make your own and FLUSH your sinuses a few times a well. Here is an old tried and true doctor's home saline solution, it works best to run the full 16 oz through your sinuses, trust me it works like a charm:)

1/2 teaspoon of table salt
dash of baking soda
16 ounces of warm water
 
As has been suggested, you need to go cold turkey off of all nasal meds. You'll be congested for a few days, then it will all go away.
 
Planterz said:
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not sure I'm into the neti pot idea just yet, but Altoids are doing nicely for the time being.
Click to expand...

Are you smashing them and snorting them? You'll freeze you brain.:D


Paul
 
Matteo Escobar said:
As has been suggested, you need to go cold turkey off of all nasal meds. You'll be congested for a few days, then it will all go away.
Click to expand...
Probably a good idea. I don't think I could fit a cold turkey up my nose.
 
I have been hooked to OTC nasal sprays on and off for about two years. It's an awful addiction. One day I decided to round up all the bottles and accesories I had laying around my house and I came up with this:




Thats just wrong!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top