Care of the nasal mucosa. Why, how and when?
Seasonal Changes and Their Impact
As autumn approaches, summer warmth changes to cooler weather, leading to an exacerbation of seasonal illnesses. Almost every adult and child has experienced a cold, and abundant advice exists on how to protect oneself from viral inflammation. However, despite our efforts, we usually cannot avoid catching a cold. Weather changes provide an excellent environment for various respiratory viruses to affect the human body.
Can We Escape Contagion?
Can we escape the contagion during the autumn or winter season? Perhaps we can alleviate the course of the disease, but completely avoiding contagion seems impossible. Since we cannot change the environment, we must change ourselves. This means employing various measures to reduce the chances of infection and protecting ourselves from complications of viral diseases.
Importance of Understanding the Cause
Understanding the cause of a viral illness or cold is important because it determines the preventive measures we can use. We know that most cold-causing viruses enter the human body through airborne transmission, meaning we inhale the pathogen along with the air. Proper care of the nasal mucosa at the beginning of the illness helps alleviate the onset of the disease. Additionally, rinsing the healthy nasal mucosa with isotonic seawater can act as a preventive measure to avoid catching a cold (I. Šlapak, MD; Efficacy of Isotonic Nasal Wash (Seawater) in the Treatment and Prevention of Rhinitis in Children).
How To Use Saline Solution
How should this be done? Saline solution for nasal mucosa irrigation has been used for a long time. By rinsing the accumulated secretions in the nasal cavities, it reduces the likelihood of viral contagion establishing itself, multiplying, and causing local inflammation. Individuals can make their own saline solution and irrigate their nasal cavities, but this is risky. An imprecise pH of the saline solution can damage the nasal mucosa due to excessive saltiness. Additionally, literature sources indicate the contamination of the nasal mucosa with pathogenic microorganisms due to improper use of nasal irrigation vessels (https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm). Therefore, to avoid these risks, it is advisable to use certified, safe, and reliable saline solutions produced by pharmaceutical companies for nasal mucosa care.
When To Use Saline Solution
When should you use saline solution for nasal irrigation? Start irrigating the nasal mucosa if you experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, secretion, or throat irritation. This is especially recommended for young children, who have a higher risk of complications from viral colds (such as acute otitis media, tonsillitis, and bronchitis) due to an underdeveloped immune system or an inability to blow their nasal secretions.
Difference Between Isotonic and Hypertonic Saline Solutions
Unlike isotonic solutions, hypertonic saline not only rinses the nasal mucosa but also acts as a local decongestant. Due to osmotic pressure differences, a hypertonic saline solution (e.g., Quixx) causes the nasal mucosa to contract, facilitating easier nasal breathing. Therefore, start treating acute viral rhinitis with a hypertonic saline solution. If breathing does not improve and signs of cold complications appear, consider additional decongestant therapy.
Risks of Improper Use
It is important to remember that improper use of locally applied sympathomimetics or imidazole derivatives increases the risk of developing medicamentous rhinitis.
Preventive Use of Saline Solutions
Is it beneficial and appropriate to use saline solutions for prevention? During the acute viral infection season, the use of seawater solution in healthy children reduces the development of a cold and the onset of cold complications, thus reducing the need for additional medications (antibiotics, antipyretics, decongestants) (I. Šlapak, MD; Efficacy of Isotonic Nasal Wash (Seawater) in the Treatment and Prevention of Rhinitis in Children).
Managing Dry Nasal Mucosa
Another common problem of the nasal mucosa is dryness. This is particularly common in cold weather when rooms are heated and when intranasal corticosteroids are used to treat allergic rhinitis. The nasal mucosa becomes dry, and dry crusts appear, which not only interfere with breathing but also provide an excellent environment for local bacterial infection (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus). To prevent dryness in the nose, isotonic saline solution and the local application of ointments or oily drops for moisturizing are helpful. An alternative to these measures could be isotonic saline solution with aloe vera (Quixx Soft), which is suitable for dry nasal mucosa care.
Importance of Nasal Mucosa Care
Therefore, nasal mucosa care is important not only during a cold but also as a preventive measure against the recurrence of upper respiratory tract infections or dry nose symptoms. It is important to differentiate based on the patient's complaints which saline solution to recommend: hypertonic - for acute and chronic rhinitis as an alternative to a decongestant, isotonic with moisturizing - for dry nose symptoms.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Reviewing all the information provided on the treatment and prevention of colds, a recommendation would be to suggest the appropriate saline solution for various types of colds.
LT/Qui/
