Irrigation and dryness - Allergies Message Board

siren1024 · 01-17-2005, 10:36 AM

Irrigation has been helping alot. I've been using a saltwater solution twice a day.
However, I have been getting the dry, raw, burning sinus feeling after irrigation, esp. in the back of my nasal passage where it begins to connect to the back of the throat.

What will help this? Is my solution too salty? I also use flonase twice a day. In the evening I use it about 30 minutes after irrigating. Is this contributing to the problem?

quincy · 01-18-2005, 12:43 PM

Hi,

You may be irrigating too often. Salt can eventually cause too much dryness by "sucking" out all the natural moisture.

Just out of curiosity, how much salt are you using in your solution?

Maybe using a salt that doesn't have iodine in it might be less irritating?

Just some suggestions.

quincy

hoffta · 02-01-2005, 05:51 PM

My doctor gave me directions on Nasal/Sinus Irrigation as follows:

You are being asked to wash out your nose and sinus cavities with a saline solution. This is good in the post-operative period to wash out pus, crusts, and debris and in the long term, help to mechanically wash out infections.

RECIPE: 1 quart boiled or distilled H2O (Water)
1 teaspoon canning/pickling/Kosher salt (non iodized)
1 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix and irrigate the nose with 2 cups on each side two (2) times a day. More irrigation is better, in general. Bend at the waist and keep your mouth open. Earn a gold star by washing it up hard enought to wash out your mouth! Use a baby bulb syringe or other apparatus. Buy a new syringe every few weeks and throw out the old one to prevent mold from growing in it.

Easy Recipe- 1 gallon distilled H2O, 4 teaspoons salt, and 4 teaspoons baking soda. Mix and use. Store in refrigerator. Warm up each day's supply before use.

He does not recommend the electric irrigators or tooth pick type appliances because of the mold collecting in them.

I

sneezydiva · 02-02-2005, 11:51 PM

There is a very easy way to prevent mold growth and that is to run a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide through the irrigator after you use it each time. I also soak the canister once a week in the solution.