The nasal mucosa is a barrier to infection. The stratified columnar epithelium lining the nasal cavity has numerous mobile processes that resemble cilia. They trap solid particles (including dust), various microorganisms. The activity of the movement of the cilia largely depends on the characteristics of the nasal mucus. If a person constantly inhales dry, too hot air, the mucus dries up - the level of protection is significantly reduced. Bacteria, viruses and dust particles freely penetrate the trachea, bronchi and lungs, which can cause the development of various diseases. To normalize the filtration function of the nasal mucosa, it is necessary to have an idea of proper hydration.
Environment
Dryness and crusting in the nose is a problem that affects both children and adults. The issue of drying out the mucous membrane is most relevant in the cold season, when heating devices are widely used, due to which the air in the premises heats up and becomes dry. Thinking about how to moisturize your nose, you must first of all pay attention to the characteristics of the room's microclimate. The environment in which a person spends a significant amount of time is a determining factor in the development of dry nasal mucosa.
What should be the main parameters of the microclimate? To achieve hydration of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, care must be taken to:
- The temperature corresponded to 18–20 ° C.
- The humidity was in the range of 50–70%.
Temperature and humidity indicators need to be monitored. Moisturizing the nose will only be effective if both humidity and temperature are maintained at optimal levels at all times.
Sharp fluctuations in temperature do not improve the condition of the mucous membrane. To control the microclimate indicators, special measuring devices are used - thermometers and hygrometers.
Considering that temperature and humidity play an important role in maintaining the filtration function of the nose, you should imagine how to bring them to the desired indicators. There are several ways:
- control of heating of heating devices;
- covering heating batteries with a material with thermal insulation properties;
- ventilation by opening windows;
- using a humidifier.
Setting the temperature or decreasing the heating intensity is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to control the temperature in the room. However, not all heating devices, including batteries in apartment buildings, are equipped with regulators. Therefore, they can be covered with towels, bedspreads or styrofoam.
Ventilation is necessary to create active air exchange. This is a necessary procedure that only brings benefits - of course, if you do everything right. In particular, during the cold season, it is best to ventilate empty rooms - people return to the room after the windows are closed.
Ventilation can reduce humidity readings.
The cold air entering the room from the outside contributes to an increase in the level of dryness. Therefore, it is not worth relying on ventilation as a method of quick and effective humidification; it is used to improve the characteristics of the inhaled air and prevent infectious diseases.
Air humidifiers are devices that help to set the required microclimate parameters. Most of them, in addition to the atomizer, are also equipped with indicators of temperature and humidity. Humidifiers effectively combat dry air.
Drinking regimen
The amount of fluid consumed is of great importance for the moisture level of the nasal secretions. The type of drinks is also important - people who seek to moisturize the nasal mucosa should give up alcohol. The elimination of dryness is facilitated by:
- Water (boiled, mineral).
- Green and black tea of weak brewing.
- Compotes, fruit drinks, etc.
Drinks should be at a comfortable temperature.
The volume of water and other liquids that must be drunk during the day depends on various indicators - in particular, on age and body weight. With enough drinking and proper drinking regimen, the risk of mucus drying out is greatly reduced.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers containing saline solutions are adjuvants that help relieve dryness of the mucous membrane. They can be useful even for a healthy person to prevent violations of the filtration function when forced to stay in an unfavorable microclimate in the room (dry, hot air). However, in most cases, moisturizing drops and sprays are used for a common cold (rhinitis). Their action is:
- in thinning mucus;
- in softening the crusts;
- in moisturizing the mucous membrane.
Using moisturizers, you can prepare the nasal cavity for the application of topical drugs - for example, vasoconstrictor drops,
various ointments. They also facilitate the removal of crusts and prevent the appearance of new ones - if a person breathes humidified cool air, he drinks a sufficient amount of liquid.
How to moisturize the nasal mucosa? The simplest and most affordable way is to rinse the nose, inject saline drops into the nasal cavity. For small children, washing is carried out by nasal instillation. A saline solution can be prepared (by dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of boiled water at a comfortable temperature) or purchased from a pharmacy. Washing is a simple procedure, which, nevertheless, requires control of all stages of manipulation. Do not exert too much effort when pumping liquid, press sharply on the syringe plunger.
It is impossible to rinse the nose if the patient can only breathe through the mouth.
An attempt to inject liquid into a completely blocked nose can lead to complications from the auditory tube and middle ear (eustachitis, tubo-otitis), therefore, if necessary, washing should use vasoconstrictor drops. Sometimes it is better to choose moisturizing drops - they are easier and safer to apply. How to moisturize your nose with them? Drops are applied to the mucous membrane using a dispenser on the vial or a separate clean pipette.
Keep the moisturizer warm.
Any drops and solutions injected into the nose should not be cold or hot. The optimum temperature is 36–37 ° C. To moisturize the nasal mucosa effectively, you can use ready-made drops, sprays and nasal showers based on sea water (Otrivin More, Humer). Mucosal irrigation sprays are suitable for daily nasal hygiene of children, adolescents and adults.
In addition to saline solutions, there are also agents that help protect against drying out - oil nasal drops. Their action is to create a film on the surface of the mucous membrane. However, oil drops cannot be used for daily hygiene - they are indicated only for certain types of inflammatory processes.
