Spring is here! It is so tempting to stay in the lovely outdoors. Sunshine, flowers and fresh air all make up the season of spring. This is also the season for nasal allergies, rhinitis and sinusitis. Bad news to allergy-prone people. If you are one of them, this is the time for sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, congestion, difficulty in breathing, itchy and watery eyes, and not everything is nice. Airborne allergens are in the air. Pollen is one of the main allergy culprits. Spring allergies are once again in the headlines.

Allergies and Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is one of the most common cases that occur when a person breathes in something which he or she is allergic to. This can be due to pollen, molds, dust, grass, or animal dander. These elements cause the allergic inflammation of the nasal airways. Not only can allergies be experienced seasonally, but many people may have them perennially or all-year round. Imagine how difficult that could be. Allergic rhinitis also brings about physical findings such as eyelid swelling, production of excessive nasal secretions and nasal obstruction. In many cases, allergens that get stuck in the nose can cause one to develop a more severe case and affect the sinus cavity which could then result to a sinus infection.

Cleansing the Airways

To combat nasal obstruction and congestion, it is helpful to perform sinus irrigation. Sinus irrigation is also called nasal washing or sinus rinse. This method’s main goal is to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses. It provides relief to patients suffering from sinusitis symptoms including colds, facial pain, headache, runny nose, and nasal congestion. Long ago, sinus irrigation have been used as a hygienic practice and proven to treat halitosis. Good hygiene is a plus factor in beating allergies not only by cleaning your surroundings, but also cleansing the sinuses from undesirable allergens that make your life miserable.

Ways to Irrigate the Sinuses

Sinus irrigation involves water and salt or a saline solution with some kind of a way or device to aid in the actual irrigation. Saline solutions are widely known to thin out the mucus, therefore, making it easier to expel. Here are some ways to cleanse out your nasal and sinus passages:

YOUR HANDS. Use cupped hands to snort clean tap water from one nostril and exit to the other.

NETIPOTS. A nasal rinse device that could be made out of glass, plastic, metal or ceramic. It has a spout near the bottom and handle on the opposite side. Modern version netipots are bulb syringes and pulsatile devices.

NASAL SPRAYS. These are used to spray into the nose to moisten the mucus membranes.

MEDICATED SINUS IRRIGATION. One of the safest ways to irrigate the sinuses using a custom-molded irrigator bottle that helps flow the saline medicated solution into the nasal passages.

Benefits of Medicated Sinus Irrigation

This type of sinus irrigation is beneficial to allergic and perennial rhinitis patients. It involves the use of all-natural saline solution together with an easy to use nasal irrigator bottle that assures a smooth directional flow of the liquid into the nasal passages. Medicated sinus irrigation washes away build-up of airborne allergens and excessive mucus in the nose as well as helps impacted sinuses to drain.