Saline nasal spray is used to moisturize nasal passages and/or remove mucus blockage. You can buy it over the counter and use it as often as you prefer. Saline nasal sprays can help loosen mucus in an infant or child who is too young to blow his nose. Dry climates can irritate the nasal passages but saline nasal spray can help you regain the moisture. Unlike saline sprays, medicated nasal sprays reduce inflammation and nasal passage constriction using steroids.
Step 1
Blow your nose to remove any loosened mucus.
Step 2
Remove the cap and shake the bottle. Give the bottle a few practice squeezes until a fine mist comes out.
Step 3
Lean forward slightly. Breath out slowly while holding the bottle against the nostril. Plug the opposite nostril with the other hand.
Step 4
Squeeze the bottle and breathe in slowly through your nose. Do not blow your nose right away. For an infant, place a few drops in her nostril while she is on her back and use a suction bulb to remove the loosened mucus.
Step 5
Repeat the steps for the opposite side.
Tips and Warnings
- Wash the syringe with soap and warm water after each use. Suck water in and out of the bulb syringe to get all the mucus out. Preservative-free saline sprays might produce less stinging.
- Do not squeeze the bulb syringe while it is in the infant's nostril. Do not use during a nosebleed.
Things You'll Need
- Commercial saline nasal spray
- Bulb syringe (for infants)
- Tissues
