Rinsing, or flushing, your sinuses involves using a saline, or salt water, solution to help clean out debris that may be causing symptoms likesniffling and sneezing. It can also moisturize your nasal passages and help to thinmucusso it can be more easily expelled.
Some sinus rinses come with pre-made saline solutions, while other choices may require you to make a saline solution using provided or replacement salt packets, which are available at drugstores. You can also make ahomemade saline solution.
This article covers three easy ways to flush your sinuses, including techniques appropriate for babies, children, and adults.
How to Clear Sinuses With a Neti Pot
Aneti potis a container that looks like a small teapot and is designed to flush out debris and mucus from your sinuses.
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To use a neti pot:
Never Use Tap Water
Using tap water to clean your sinuses can introduce dangerous organisms, like bacteria, to your nasal passages that can cause seriousinfections.
How to Use a Neti Pot
Flushing Sinuses With a Saline Spray or Rinse
Saline sprays and rinses work similarly to neti pots, but may be easier for some individuals to use. If you’re using asaline spray for your child, consider using products specifically made for kids, as the nasal tip will be geared towards fitting inside of smaller nostrils.
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To use a saline spray product:
To rinse your sinuses with a saline spray from a squeeze bottle:
In general, a saline spray or saline rinse can be done several times a day.If you purchase a saline spray or rinse, be sure to follow the package instructions carefully.
How to Use Saline Nasal Sprays Effectively and Safely
Saline Drops and Suction
For babies and young children, using saline drops can help thin out mucus, allowing it to drain so you can suction out the discharge with a bulb syringe or other pediatrician-approved product.
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If you’re having a hard time using this technique on your infant or young child, it may be helpful to have another adult assist you. You can always reach out to your child’s pediatrician for further guidance.
If your infant of child is experiencing congestion along with other symptoms, you may need to contact their pediatrician. Signs that something more serious may be going on may include:AfeverDifficulty breathingSigns of dehydrationA crankier mood than usualA bluish tint to their skin
If your infant of child is experiencing congestion along with other symptoms, you may need to contact their pediatrician. Signs that something more serious may be going on may include:
Saline Drops for Babies: How to Safely Use Them
Summary
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?Michigan Medicine.Saline nasal washes for sinusitis.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?Michigan Medicine.Saline nasal washes for sinusitis.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?Michigan Medicine.Saline nasal washes for sinusitis.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
Michigan Medicine.Saline nasal washes for sinusitis.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?
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