Does salt water have any role in the treatment of rhinitis and post-nasal drip?
Irrigating the nose with salt water is very useful therapy for non-allergic rhinitis and especially beneficial for treating post-nasal drip. Nasal irrigation utilizing a buffered hypertonic saline solution (salt water) helps to reduce swollen and congested nasal and sinus tissues. In addition, it washes out thickened nasal secretions, irritants (smog, pollens, etc.), bacteria, and crusts from the nose and sinuses. Non-prescription nasal sprays (Ocean spray, Ayr, Nasal) can be used frequently, and are very convenient to use. • Nasal irrigation can be done several times per day. • Nasal irrigation is frequently performed with a syringe or a Water Pik device (the attachment is purchased separately). • The irrigating solution can be made by adding two to three heaping teaspoons of non-iodized (does not sting) salt to one pint of room temperature water. It is best to use Morton Coarse Kosher Salt or Springfield plain salt because table salt may have unwanted additives. To this solution, add
