The maritime climate is a popular recommendation from doctors for those suffering from respiratory infections. It’s not for nothing that our parents tried to take us to the sea every year. Such recovery is still relevant today. This is due not only to swimming and air baths, but also to the special composition of sea air. With each breath, microparticles of salt water that are dispersed in the air enter the nasopharyngeal mucosa. They have a pronounced therapeutic effect and improve blood circulation. Having noticed such a positive trend, doctors began to use saline solution for rinsing the nose to prevent the disease and alleviate the condition of a runny nose.
What's the benefit?
The natural mineral composition eliminates side effects and is optimal for anti-inflammatory therapy. Sea water for rinsing the nose has a complex effect on the mucous membrane, improving its functions. Among the most significant influences are the following:
- Natural antiseptic: it is destructive to pathogenic flora.
- Improves blood supply to mucous membranes as a result of slight local irritation.
- Reduces and eliminates inflammatory processes thanks to its unique mineral composition.
- Restores the natural functions of the nasal mucosa.
- Increases local immunity, which means improves resistance to respiratory diseases.
Beneficial properties of sea water
Sea water for rinsing is used both for treatment and for prevention, protects against viruses, and alleviates the condition of chronic pathologies. It is absolutely harmless; doctors recommend it for colds during pregnancy and for children. It is only necessary to adjust the concentration and dosage, taking into account the age of young patients.
Valuable properties of sea water:
- Destroys bacteria and harmful microorganisms.
- Stimulates blood circulation.
- Restores cell function.
- Relieves inflammation of the mucous membrane.
- Regenerates tissue.
- Increases immunity.
Composition of sea water
The study of the composition of the seas was carried out back in the 19th century, during an expedition around the world. And scientists came to an amazing conclusion, which was called Ditmar’s law: the percentage of main ions in all seas of the Earth is the same. Regarding the statement that sea water contains 6 percent salt, this indicator is rare, the salinity level ranges from 11% to 41% in different seas.
The salinity of sea water is not the only indicator that gives its composition special value. It includes:
- Ions – sodium, chlorine, potassium, calcium, bromine, barium.
- Dissolved inert gases - oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide.
- Biogenic elements – iron, manganese, hydrogen, silicon.
What does sea water help with?
The fact that sea water is good for prevention is allegedly confirmed by yogis. They regularly rinse their nose to relax the nerves, relieve headaches, and support the immune system. And in case of illness, this remedy washes away the remnants of the irritant, prevents complications, removes mucus, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, and makes breathing more free.
Sea water for nasal rinsing is used for diseases such as:
- Allergic rhinitis.
Relieves irritation, blocks the spread of viruses. - Sinusitis.
Relieves inflammation and prevents complications from developing. - Frontit.
Removes mucus from hard-to-reach areas, kills germs, eliminating the source of infection. - Sinusitis.
Fights inflammation, works as an antiseptic. - Vasomotor rhinitis.
Increases tone.
Sea water for children
Since the product is completely natural and has no side effects, it is recommended for all age groups, as well as for pregnant and lactating women. Sea water for rinsing the nose of children has proven its effectiveness in prevention and therapy.
Isotonic solutions are mainly intended for children (salt concentration is 0.9%). They are very close in content to blood plasma, so they do not cause burning or irritation when washed, and are better tolerated than other medications. Rinsing does not cause discomfort to the child, does not provoke protests and hysterics, which is especially important for the treatment of nasal congestion, because Tears aggravate swelling.
How to properly inhale with sea water
Nasal rinses with sea water can also be used for inhalation, which will complement the treatment regimen and prevent the development of disease in the pharynx, larynx and throat - or relieve symptoms if they already exist.
Inhalations are carried out using the steam method. You need to act consistently and carefully:
- Add two tablespoons of sea salt to a liter of water and stir thoroughly.
- Place the saucepan on the fire, bring to a boil and hold for another five minutes.
- Cover with a thick towel and lean over the saucepan.
- Inhale deeply, slowly, deeply. Exhale after a couple of seconds.
Steam inhalation is a relatively risky undertaking that requires compliance with simple rules:
- Don’t lean too low over the saucepan;
- if a burning sensation, itching, heat or pain occurs, the procedure should be stopped;
- Inhalations cannot be performed if the patient has a fever, if he is a child under six years old, a bedridden patient, or an old man with problems with coordination;
- Inhalations cannot be carried out alone - someone must insure the patient so that if he becomes dizzy, they have time to hold him;
- It’s better not to eat for an hour before inhalation, and not to eat for the same amount of time after it’s over;
- after inhalation with sea water for half an hour, you need to refrain from active physical exercise, do not go out into the cold and drink cold drinks;
- Inhalations should be carried out four times a day for a week.
Steam burns no less than fire. It's better to be safe than to treat burns later.
Wash solution
Purified water and sea salt for nasal rinsing are the main ingredients for preparing the solution. At home, it is difficult to maintain the required concentration; a lack of salt reduces the therapeutic effect; too much salt causes a burning sensation. Another problem is the sterility of the solution. In addition, water with nasal salt is prepared for only one rinse, since the solution and container are not sterilized and there is a high probability of developing pathogenic flora.
Of course, in the absence of alternatives, this method has its place, but modern medicine has reliable, convenient and safe means.
Seawater nasal spray
It is made on the basis of purified sea water or saline solution. Plant extracts and essential oils are used as auxiliary components. People start using pharmaceutical drugs from the first days of a cold.
Properties:
- moisturizing the mucous membrane;
- increasing the protective functions of the respiratory organ;
- thinning mucus;
- removal of savings;
- easier breathing;
- removal of edema.
Sea water has no contraindications and does not cause side effects. Children are allowed to use from birth. An allergic reaction may occur to auxiliary components, so you need to carefully study the composition.
Sea water drops and sprays
The Aqualor brand offers environmentally friendly sea water in its composition in the form of sprays and drops. The assortment includes a large number of children's forms with different irrigation systems. The drugs are available in a range of volumes: small sprays are convenient to carry, large containers are more profitable financially. Among the advantages of the drug are the following:
- It is mined in environmentally friendly areas, off the coast of France and Sweden.
- The product goes through several levels of filtration and sterilization, so it does not contain foreign impurities.
- The exact concentration of the solution.
- There are two lines: isotonic and hypertonic sprays.
- Does not contain preservatives, is in a special bag, which prevents contact with the cylinder.
- Several types of spray: drops, dosed spray, shower, jet, soft shower for children from birth.
Aqualor spray is convenient to use, you can easily take it with you to moisturize the mucous membrane if necessary. The product is successfully used for the prevention and protection against viral infections during seasonal exacerbations.
Rinsing the nose with sea water is necessary for prevention and care; in this case, it is enough to use the spray when you feel dry, as well as in crowded rooms. For a runny nose, the drug is used as mucus accumulates and it becomes necessary to remove it. For congestion, use situationally to achieve relief.
Nasal spray with sea water: review of preparations
Nasal products with sea water can be found in every pharmacy. What drugs are most common:
1
Dolphin. A preparation for rinsing the nose, which includes a complex of mineral salts and plant extracts. This medicine is a packet of powder that needs to be dissolved in warm boiled water, after which it is poured into a special dispenser bottle and the nasal cavity is washed. There are separate sets for adults and children.
2
Aquamaris. Available in the form of a spray for adults and drops for children. Cleansing and moisturizing aerosol containing sterile sea water.
3
Aqualor. There are different forms of release of this drug: for children, spray and drops, for adults, mild and normal. Some forms additionally include chamomile and aloe to enhance the antiseptic effect.
The variety of forms allows you to choose the right product for each patient. Thus, Aqualor soft (soft) can be sprayed on patients with injured sensitive mucous membranes, and Aqualor mini is very compact and can be taken with you on a trip or to work.
4
Humer. Spray based on sea water. It is used in the complex treatment of most ENT diseases. Hypertonic saline solution of sea water helps to liquefy the pathological secretion and remove it out
There is no clear answer to the question of which water with salt is better. Such a variety of forms allows you to choose the best option and analogue for each person, and their mechanism of action and properties are almost the same.
How to rinse your nose with sea water?
Sea water for the nose, following the example of other nasal remedies, also requires proper use. It is important to observe the dosage, since, in addition to healthy salt, the drug also contains other substances that can cause an undesirable reaction if consumed excessively.
Sequence of actions when using the solution:
- Bend over the sink so that your nose is parallel to it.
- Point the tip into the nostril, holding the irrigator 90% relative to the nose.
- Pour in the required dose.
- Slightly inhale the solution and relax your nose.
- Repeat from the second nostril.
You only need to rinse with warm water. It’s easy to check by dropping a drop on your wrist; if it doesn’t feel hot, you can use it. In order for healing sea water for rinsing the nose to have an effect, the solution must be diluted before use.
During the procedure you cannot:
- Throw your head back strongly.
- Inhale water because there is a risk that the medicine will get into the ear.
- Rinse both nostrils at once.
- Use cotton swabs or bandages to better distribute the solution throughout the mucous membrane.
- Swallow liquid when rinsing.
- Carrying out procedures more often than the doctor recommended, this may dry out the mucous membrane, and a separate course of treatment will be required.
Aqualor® for children from birth
Created on the basis of sea water, Aqualor® sprays and drops have no other active ingredient except the natural salts contained in sea water, and therefore have virtually no contraindications. The safety of these products is ensured by the specially designed bottle, which keeps the drug sterile throughout the entire time of use.
The antiseptic properties of sea water are very useful in treating a runny nose. For example, Aqualor® BABY spray for the little ones not only cleanses the baby’s nasal cavity of mucus, impurities, bacteria, viruses and allergens, but also moisturizes the nasal mucosa and eliminates dryness caused by other drugs.
All this becomes possible because Aqualor® BABY uses an isotonic solution of sea water - in its properties it is closest to human blood, intracellular and intercellular fluid of our body. And the “soft shower” continuous spray system allows you to gently and evenly rinse and irrigate the nasal mucosa without discomfort for the child. The anatomical nozzle of the bottle is equipped with a special limiter ring to prevent injury and works at any angle - this allows even the most restless baby to rinse the spout.
And no fuss with pipettes and vials, unsterile homemade solutions of table salt and expressed breast milk, which was also once recommended to be dropped into the baby’s nose when he has a runny nose. Sea water in a smart bottle remains sterile throughout use thanks to a special valve system inside the Aqualor® bottle.
Regular irrigation of the baby’s nose will simply wash away viruses that are in a hurry to enter the body, dirt and dust, of which there is so much in the air of large cities, and will also moisturize the nasal cavity - after all, during the heating season, the air in our homes is too dry, which can cause mucus secretion and a runny nose in a small child.
And, of course, if the doctor has prescribed some other medications to treat a runny nose, Aqualor® BABY will help clean the baby’s nose before using drops, ointments or other local remedies. Aqualor® BABY drops and spray can be used from the first days of a baby’s life.
