Saline irrigation for sinusitis
Saline irrigation for sinusitis
Regardless of whether treatment is provided by the Pharmacy First service or not, there are various things you can recommend to help customers manage their symptoms, independently or alongside other treatment.
Nasal saline can be considered as a self-management strategy to help relieve nasal congestion.5 Nasal irrigation is a natural and effective to rinse the sinuses and wash away substances (including mucus build up) that cause swelling and congestion.6
Click on the images below to learn more about how saline sprays can help relieve congestion
How can saline spray help?
Saline nasal sprays help relieve nasal congestion through osmosis, where water molecules are moved through membranes to equalise moisture on both sides.7
When there is swelling, the salt in the spray can draw water out to reduce fluid overload and improve breathing and increase moisture.7 A hypertonic solution would indicate that the salt concentration is greater than that of the cells of the body, which aids the natural decongestant effect (osmotic effect).
Saline nasal sprays do NOT contain medicines, such as steroids, so they can be used as required to relieve symptoms, without the risk of systemic side effects associated with medicated nasal sprays.
Introducing Stérimar™Sinusitis Very Blocked Nose
Specifically formulated with sinusitis sufferers in mind
Clinically proven to decongest the nose in under 1 minute*8
A hypertonic solution made with 100% natural sea water, copper and eucalyptus oil to clear thick mucus
Fights cold symptoms and brings rhinosinusitis relief
Free from steroids, drugs and preservatives
1 Spray can be used in each nostril, up to 6 times a day
*63% of patients reported that they felt decongestion in less than 1 minute, as evaluated for the first 7 days of treatment
Some customers should NOT use Stérimar™ Sinusitis Very Blocked Nose:
Not recommended in the event of hypersensitivity to any of the components
Not recommended for use on non-congested mucosa
Not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women
Correct use
To achieve the desired effects,
correct use of the nasal spray is very important
In a standing or seated position your customer should:
Shake the spray, remove the protective cover and, on the first use, spray once to prime the system
Blow the nose, one nostril at a time. Then, holding the head slightly tilted to one side, insert the nozzle into the top of the nostril and spray once, whilst gently inhaling.
Repeat this process in the other nostril.
Leave the solution to act for a few minutes without blowing the nose. Allow excess solution to drain, dry and blow the nose if necessary.
After each use, clean the nozzle in hot water and dry.
Mixing saline and medicated nasal sprays
Your customer may be supplied with a nasal corticosteroid as part of the service, or they may wish to use an OTC medicated nasal spray alongside their saline nasal spray.
Saline does NOT interact with other medications. However, your customer should use their saline spray first, before the medicated one. This ensures that they don't rinse the medication out from the nostrils.7
The Stérimar™ range
Stérimar™ has a wide range of products that may be suitable for younger children and for those with other conditions such as hay fever
