How do saline nasal drops work

Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The common cold and other respiratory infections can cause congestion or "stuffy nose.

These remedies help clear mucus from the nasal passages and sinuses. This can make breathing easier. Saline drops do not contain medication. This is why they are often recommended for people of all ages. Pediatricians may recommend saline drops for infants when they are congested. It can, however, be challenging to put drops in a baby's nose.

This article offers step by step instructions and other tips for treating your baby's congestion with saline nose drops. First, make sure you have the right tools. You will need sterile saline nose drops and a clean bulb syringe. These can be purchased at any pharmacy or grocery store. These tips can help make the process go smoothly:. They're composed mostly of saline solution, which causes the blood vessels in the nose to contract and dilutes mucus and reduces swelling in the sinus area.

Some nasal drops may contain additional active ingredients, such as steroids, to alleviate symptoms associated with nasal polyps. Whether the nasal drops are prescribed or over-the-counter, it's always important to use them according to your doctor's instructions.

Many doctors recommend nasal saline drops for babies suffering from nasal congestion. Giving anything to a baby is tricky, but you can manage it with these simple instructions:. Giving saline drops to an older child can present different challenges, and the key is cooperation. Rewarding the child for cooperating can go a long way toward making this a pleasant experience for everyone. Follow these simple steps:. Of all the medicines given to children, nasal drops can be the easiest to administer.

Once the first dosage has gone well, it will get easier each time you give your child the drops. Prevent side effects of nasal drops by using proper hygiene.

Always wash and dry the dropper each time the medication is used, and never share nasal droppers among children. This could lead to the spread of infections. Side effects may include a runny nose, sneezing, a burning sensation, stinging, or nasal dryness.

If your child complains of any of these side effects, make sure to monitor the symptoms and contact your doctor if they last or worsen over time. Also contact the doctor if your child experiences headache, dizziness, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea, mood changes, weakness, persistent sweating, trouble sleeping, a rash, and signs of itching or swelling. How to Give Nasal Saline Drops. When saline nasal spray is used to relieve nasal congestion or dryness, it is recommended that patients use two sprays per nostril as needed.

If saline nasal spray is being used prior to administering nasal steroids, the recommended amount is one spray per nostril prior to using nasal steroid sprays, which are typically used two to six times per day. If you are experiencing nasal congestion and have been using saline nasal spray without any improvement for several days, you may benefit from using a different type of nasal spray. Decongestant nasal spray and antihistamine nasal spray can both be effective at treating symptoms of nasal congestion depending on the cause of the congestion.

Antihistamine nasal sprays are most helpful when used to treat drainage caused by a runny nose, postnasal drip, or itchy, watery eyes, while decongestant nasal sprays are most helpful for nasal or sinus congestion. While decongestant nasal spray and antihistamine nasal spray both work to relieve congestion , there are some important differences between the two treatment options. Decongestant nasal sprays work by reducing the swelling that occurs in the nasal passages.

As a result, pressure in the nasal cavity reduces and airflow improves, allowing you to breathe more easily. Decongestants are typically taken during the day because they can have a stimulant effect that keeps you awake, although decongestant nasal sprays are less likely to have this effect than decongestant pills. People with high blood pressure or heart disease may not be able to use decongestants safely, as these medications can cause blood pressure to increase.

Antihistamines work by blocking the action of a chemical produced by the body called histamine. Histamine is a substance produced by the immune system in response to the presence of allergens. People with allergies commonly experience symptoms like an itchy, runny nose or eyes and swelling of the nasal passages during an allergy attack.

Although histamines are not the cause of congestion in people with a runny nose caused by a cold, they can still be helpful in reducing symptoms of congestion. The most common side effect caused by antihistamine nasal sprays is drowsiness, which means that it is generally best to use antihistamine nasal sprays at night.

Other common side effects associated with antihistamines include dry mouth, headache, and dizziness. Saline nasal sprays work by thinning and loosening thick mucus inside the nasal passages to help reduce congestion. Although saline nasal sprays contain no medication, they are effective at providing temporary moisture to the nasal passages, which can help reduce symptoms of congestion.

Saline nasal sprays have very few, if any, side effects for most people and can be used as many times per day as needed because they do not contain medication. Skip to main content Free Product Added! Common Nasal Spray Questions, Answered. What is saline nasal spray?