Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesTypesHow to UseSide EffectsHow to Make Your OwnWhy They WorkAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Types
How to Use
Side Effects
How to Make Your Own
Why They Work
Alternatives
Unlikesteroid nasal spraysorantihistamine nasal sprays, saline nasal sprays do not contain medicine. This means you can safely use it as often as you need to relieve your symptoms.
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Saline nasal spray can be used for the following purposes:
Some studies suggest saline nasal spray can help reduce congestion, runny nose, and sneezing in people withCOVID-19.Even so, speak with your healthcare provider before using any nasal spray to treat COVID-19.
Saline nasal sprays are small spray bottles that contain saline—a mixture ofsodium chloride (salt)and sterilized water. The saline solution used in nasal sprays is isotonic, meaning it has the same saline concentration as that naturally found in the human body.
Most saline nasal sprays have the same two ingredients: sterilized water and salt. Sometimes, preservatives are added to increase the product’s shelf life.Saline nasal sprays are available over the counter (OTC) at most drugstores and generally cost a few dollars.
The sprays usually come in a squirt bottle or pump bottle. For babies and children, there are saline nasal sprays and saline nasal drops, both of which work equally well.
There are different saline spray brands for children and adults. In addition to OTC brands such as Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Mist (for adults) or Boogie Saline Nasal Mist (for children), many drugstore chains carry their own branded products.
Mixing Saline and Medicated Nasal SpraysSaline does not interact with other medications. However, if you use a saline nasal spray with a medicated nasal spray, use the saline spray first. This ensures you don’t rinse the medication from your nostrils.
Mixing Saline and Medicated Nasal Sprays
Saline does not interact with other medications. However, if you use a saline nasal spray with a medicated nasal spray, use the saline spray first. This ensures you don’t rinse the medication from your nostrils.
Your spray will come with instructions. Make sure to follow them carefully. Your healthcare provider might also give you a different set of instructions.
There are some general guidelines for using any saline nasal spray:
Saline nasal sprays can be used in adults, children, and babies. However, saline drops may be easier to use in infants because the tip of the spray bottle may be large for smaller nostrils. Also, the spray can cause coughing or gagging in babies if squeezed too forcefully.
1:44Click Play to Learn How to Use Saline Nasal Spray
1:44
Click Play to Learn How to Use Saline Nasal Spray
Saline nasal sprays are generally safe and usually do not cause any side effects. If you notice stinging or dryness in your nose after spraying, it is more likely due to preservatives in the product. Switching to a preservative-free spray may help.
Although the sprays are safe for daily, ongoing use, they can cause a runny nose if you use too much at a time.
How to Make Your Own Saline Nasal Spray
You can make your own saline nasal spray at home with salt and tap water. Here is a simple recipe to try:
The high salt content is hostile to most bacteria and disease-causing microorganisms. Even so, the solution should be kept for no longer than three days, whether at room temperature or refrigerated. Discard the contents after three days, and wash the bottle thoroughly between uses.
You can also combine 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with 1 cup of distilled water and mix to dissolve. Place in a sterile squeeze bottle, and discard the contents after 24 hours.
How Do Saline Nasal Sprays Work?
Saline nasal sprays help relieve nasal congestion through a process called osmosis—water molecules are moved through membranes to equalize moisture on both sides.
The salt in the saline solution draws moisture from the nasal passages. If nasal passages are swollen, the spray can draw water out to reduce fluid overload and improve breathing. If nasal passages are dry, the spray can draw water out to increase moisture and prevent cracking or bleeding.
Helping Allergies
Studies show that the use of saline nasal sprays effectively relieves allergy symptoms and improves overall quality of life in people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Saline nasal spray helps relieve allergy symptoms in a few ways:
Because non-prescription saline nasal sprays do not contain drugs, you can safely use them in addition to other allergy medications you may already be using.
Saline sprays may not be enough to relieve nasal congestion. You may need other treatments, particularly if your nasal passages are completely shut and you are forced to mouth-breathe.
One such example is an age-old home remedy known as aneti pot. This is simply a pot with a spout through which you can pour salt water into your nostrils.The process itself is referred to asnasal irrigation. Neti pots can be found online and in most larger retail drugstores.
There are alsomedicated nasal sprays, both over-the-counter and prescription, that you can use to treat certain nasal conditions:
Overusing decongestant nasal sprays can lead torebound congestionin which your nasal congestion gets worse rather than better. For this reason, decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for longer than three days.Rebound congestion is not associated with antihistamine, steroid, or cromolyn nasal sprays, but there are side effects and complications associated with the overuse of these products.Speak with your healthcare provider before using any medicated spray to treat a nasal condition.
Overusing decongestant nasal sprays can lead torebound congestionin which your nasal congestion gets worse rather than better. For this reason, decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for longer than three days.
Rebound congestion is not associated with antihistamine, steroid, or cromolyn nasal sprays, but there are side effects and complications associated with the overuse of these products.Speak with your healthcare provider before using any medicated spray to treat a nasal condition.
Summary
You can use a saline nasal spray as often as needed. They are safe and usually do not cause any side effects. Saline nasal sprays are inexpensive and readily found at most drugstores. You can also make your own at home with non-iodized or kosher table salt and water.
8 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.
Chirico G, Quatarone G, Mallefet P.Nasal congestion in infants and children: a literature review on efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological treatments.Minerva Pediatr. 2014;66(6):549-57.
Abdullah B, Periasamy C, Ismail R.Nasal irrigation as treatment in sinonasal symptoms relief: a review of its efficacy and clinical applications.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2019;71(Suppl 3):1718–26. doi:10.1007/s12070-017-1070-0
Spinato G, Fabbris C, Costantini G, et al.The effect of isotonic saline nasal lavages in improving symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case-control study.Frontiers Neurol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.794471
Marchisio P, Picca M, Torretta S, et al.Nasal saline irrigation in preschool children: a survey of attitudes and prescribing habits of primary care pediatricians working in northern Italy.Ital J Pediatr.2014;40:47. doi:10.1186/1824-7288-40-47
Ehrick JD, Shah SA, Shaw C, et al.Considerations for the development of nasal dosage forms.Sterile Product Devel.2013;6:99–144. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-7978-9_5
Nguyen S, Psaltis A, Schlosser R.Isotonic saline nasal irrigation is an effective adjunctive therapy to intranasal corticosteroid spray in allergic rhinitis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2014 Jul;28(4):1-4. doi:10.2500/ajra.2014.28.4066
Djupesland GG.Nasal drug delivery devices: characteristics and performance in a clinical perspective—a review.Drug Deliv Transl Res.2013;3(1):42–62. doi:10.1007/s13346-012-0108-9
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