Techniques for nasal wash

Start by preparing salt water. Lean far over the sink with your head down. For younger children, have your child lean as far over the sink as possible. A small child may have trouble cooperating with a nasal wash and may need to be held and assisted. Ask your healthcare provider about ways to hold a small child when doing a nasal wash. One technique is to wrap your small child in a blanket or towel with arms down while holding him or her on your lap.

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Ask your healthcare provider which of these techniques may be best for you:

• Bulb syringe technique - Use a large all-rubber ear syringe. An ear bulb syringe can be purchased at most pharmacies. Fill the syringe completely with the saltwater. Insert the syringe tip just inside your nostril and pinch your nostril around the tip of the bulb syringe to keep the solution from running out your nose. Gently squeeze the bulb to swish the solution around in your nose; then blow your nose lightly. Repeat the procedure with the other nostril.
• NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit Technique - The Sinus Rinse Kit comes with a sinus rinse bottle and mixture packets. When using the Sinus Rinse Kit you can use the prepared mixture packets that come with the kit or you can make your own nasal wash solution as described. Fill the sinus rinse bottle with saltwater. Place the tip of the bottle just inside a nostril. After the bottle is squeezed, saltwater comes out the opposite nostril and may come out the mouth. Blow your nose lightly. The procedure is then repeated with the other nostril.
• Water Pik® technique - Use a Water Pik® with a Sinus or Grossan Original Sinus Irrigator Tip®. Pour the saltwater into the water reservoir and set the Water Pik® at the lowest possible pressure. Insert the tip just inside your nostril and allow the fluid to run out of your mouth or other nostril. Blow your nose lightly. Repeat the procedure with the other nostril.
• Hand technique - Pour some saltwater into your palm. Sniff the liquid up your nose, one nostril at a time. Blow your nose lightly. This technique may not be as effective but may be used in some situations.

For babies, use an eyedropper or syringe (without the needle) to do a nasal wash. Place 10 - 20 drops of the saltwater in your baby's nostril. Use a bulb syringe to suction the mucus from the nose. Repeat the procedure with the other nostril.