Obviously, in order to introduce liquid into the nasal passages, we need some kind of special instrument that allows us to accurately and dosed supply the rinsing solution in turn into each of the nostrils. And the syringe at first glance looks like a rather convenient device for solving this problem. But, as in any other business, here you can highlight some of the nuances and limitations. After studying them, you will understand how to rinse your nose with a syringe at home, ensuring the maximum safety and effectiveness of this procedure.
Which syringe should you choose?
First of all, it should be determined with which one 
volume your instrument should have. Of the standard options that are commonly sold in our pharmacies, the 5 ml, 10 ml and 20 ml models are the most suitable. Of course, with this choice, a lot will depend on what kind of washing method you plan to use. So, for example, when jet rinsing the nasopharynx, it is more convenient to take a large device, up to 150 ml. But the volume of 1-2 ml insulin syringes will in any case be insufficient for the vast majority of patients.
Also, the question may arise before you, which type of syringe is better to use: reusable or disposable? Absolute sterility is not required for rinsing the nose. The nasal cavities are open to the external environment, so various infectious agents constantly get there. Rinsing, on the other hand, helps to effectively get rid of them, removing microorganisms along with the liquefied mucus. This means you can freely use the glass reusable syringe without wasting money on the daily purchase of plastic disposable instruments.
Important! After use, the glass syringe should be thoroughly washed in warm soapy water. It is most convenient to do this if he is disassembled into parts. When rinsing babies' nose, it can even be boiled.
Now let's talk about how to flush your nose at home with a syringe. This device can be used for rinsing the nasal cavities in three different ways:
- In the form of a kind of pipette
- As a reservoir for large quantities of liquid
- In the form of an aspirator (suction) of liquefied mucus.
Pipette
The use of a syringe in the form of a "pipette" means that the liquid drawn into it will be delivered into the nostril slowly, drop by drop. When using this method, you need to tilt your head back and carefully insert the tip of the syringe (without the needle!) Into the nostril. Then gently and very gently push the plunger - the liquid will collect in a drop at the tip and enter the nasal cavity.
Here you need to learn how to properly measure the force of pressing the piston. This parameter is especially important when flushing the nose with a syringe in infants. Therefore, we recommend that you first practice - take ordinary water into the device and try to press the piston so smoothly that the liquid does not spray with a stream, but drips in separate drops.
After 2-4 (for children) or 5-7 (for adults) drops of the solution enter the nasal cavity, carefully remove the tip of the syringe. Then pinch the instilled nostril with your finger and massage it lightly. After 1-1.5 minutes, open your nostril and lower your head down - the liquid will flow out on its own. Infants should be turned over on their stomach and positioned so that their head is lower than the rest of the body. Repeat the procedure symmetrically for the second nostril, and then blow your nose thoroughly or clean the baby's nasal passages with a cotton swab to completely remove any remaining mucus.
Storage tank
In this case, use large-volume models, starting from 20 ml and up to Janet's syringe, designed for 150 (and even more) ml of liquid. Such an instrument will be convenient if you intend to flush the nasopharynx with a continuous stream of liquid.
Important! To make the procedure easier, you should hold your breath at the time fluid is fed into the nasal passages.
In this case, rinsing the nose with a syringe is carried out as follows:
- draw a rinse solution into the instrument;
- tilt your head down;
- turn it to the side so that one nostril is higher than the other;
- carefully insert the tip of the syringe (without the needle!) into the "upper" nostril;
- press the piston so that the liquid begins to flow into the nasal cavity;
- let it flow freely through the second, "lower" nostril.
After the liquid in the syringe has run out, you can draw more from the container with the ready-made solution. Usually, for more or less high-quality rinsing of the nasal passages in adults using this method, it is required to use 30-50 ml of liquid for each nostril. At the end of the rinse, lower your head downward so that any remaining liquid can drain out by gravity. Then blow your nose thoroughly to remove any loose mucus.
Aspirator (suction)
This is another of the options for using syringes for rinsing the nose, but in this situation, such a device will be used mainly at the final stage of cleaning the nasal passages. The liquid can be fed into the nose in any way:
- drip pipette;
- jet backed or the same syringe;
- using a teapot or Aqua-Maris device;
- direct suction of the solution through the nose from the container, etc.
But the liquefied mucus will be extracted directly with a syringe. To do this, you must first push the piston as deep as possible into the cavity. Then gently insert the tip (with the needle removed!) Into the newly flushed nostril. Then slowly pull the plunger towards you - this will create a negative pressure in the cavity and under its action the contents of the nasal passages will be aspirated (drawn in) into the syringe.
Who is these procedures indicated for?
For adults and adolescents, all three options for using a nasal rinse syringe can be used. But the predominant technique here is rinsing the nasopharynx with a stream of liquid. The fact is that the drip injection of the solution at this age becomes less effective due to the small volume of fluid entering the cavity. And it will be easier to clean the nasal passages by blowing your nose.
Children of kindergarten and primary school age often do not fully master the process of blowing their nose. Therefore, they may find it useful to use syringes as a fluid aspirator. But their use as "pipettes" is already gradually giving way to the jet injection of solutions.
Important! Before flushing the nose with a syringe with a jet method, the child should be taught it. Do it in a playful way - children like this procedure and they willingly perform it themselves.
In infants, the situation changes dramatically - they do not know how to clear their nose by blowing their nose, are not able to hold their breath and control the stream of fluid. Therefore, at this age, the syringe can only be used as a pipette or mucus aspirator. Also, you can not try to independently rinse the baby's nose using the jet method. Even with the most gentle pressing on the plunger, the pressure of the solution will be too strong for the delicate mucous membrane of the child's nose and can injure it. In addition, there is a high risk of fluid penetration into the middle ear cavity and the occurrence of an inflammatory process there.
