A great homemade way to unclog the nose is to do a nasal wash with 0.9% saline solution with the help of a needleless syringe, because through the force of gravity, water enters one nostril and exits through the other, without cause pain or discomfort, eliminating as much phlegm and dirt as possible.
The nasal wash technique is excellent to eliminate secretions from the upper airways, but it is also a good way to keep the nose properly clean, being useful for those who have respiratory allergies, rhinitis or sinusitis, for example.
Step by step nasal wash with serum
In adults and children, this procedure must be performed at the bathroom sink, following the steps below:
- Fill the syringe with about 5 to 10 mL of saline solution;
- During the procedure, you should open your mouth and breathe through your mouth as well;
- Lean your body forward and your head slightly to the side;
- Position the syringe at the inlet of one nostril and press until the serum comes out of the other nostril. If necessary, adjust the positioning of the head until the serum enters one and leaves the other nostril.
It is recommended to do this cleaning 3 to 4 times in each nostril, depending on the need. In addition, you can fill the syringe with more serum, as it will be eliminated through the other nostril. To finish the nasal wash, you should blow your nose after the procedure, to remove as much secretion as possible. If the person finds it difficult to perform this procedure standing up, they can try to do it lying down, as shown in the image below.
As an alternative to using a syringe and saline solution, nasal lavage can be performed with a small device developed just for this purpose, which can be purchased at pharmacies or online.
How to wash your baby’s nose
To do the technique correctly, you should place the baby on your lap, facing the mirror, and hold his head so that he doesn’t turn over and hurt himself. To start cleaning, you should place the syringe with about 3 mL of saline solution in the baby’s nostril and press the syringe quickly, so that the stream of saline enters one nostril and exits naturally through the other.
When the child is already used to nasal washing, there is no need to hold it, just placing the syringe in his nostril and then pressing.
See more tips to unclog your baby’s nose.
Other tips to unclog your nose
Other tips to unclog your nose include:
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer in every room in the house;
- Drink about 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day, as water helps to dilute the mucus;
- Put a pillow under the mattress to keep your head elevated and make breathing easier;
- Use warm compresses on the face to relieve discomfort and open the sinuses.
Remedies to unclog the nose should only be used under medical supervision and prescription.
Check out the best natural ways to unclog your nose.
