A doctor yesterday warned against overusing nasal washes to relieve respiratory or other sinus problems as it could worsen their condition.
A buildup of dust, pollen, or bacteria in the nasal cavity can hinder the functioning of the nasal mucous membrane and exacerbate allergies, said Hung Wei-cheng (洪偉誠), a doctor at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital’s Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department.
Nasal washes involve using a mixture of 500cc of warm water and 4.5g of uniodized salt or nasal rinse salt.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
With the aid of a nasal irrigation device, the user pours or squeezes the solution into one side of their nasal cavity, while breathing through their mouth to avoid water running into the trachea, Hung said.
Proper use of nasal washes can flush out allergens, reducing sinus congestion and runny noses, he said.
However, nasal washes can only temporarily relieve discomfort for people with nasal allergies, as they cannot sterilize the nasal cavity, he said.
People should avoid using tap water or other types of liquid to avoid further infection, he said.
Nasal washes should only be done once or twice a day, as they could cause the nasal cavity to become too dry or trigger an adverse reaction from over stimulation of the mucus, he said.
Hung advised people to visit their closest clinic or hospital if they develop a fever, general pain and aches, or other flu symptoms, as nasal washes cannot kill the flu virus or shorten the course of the disease.
Asked about the difference between table salt and nasal rinse salt, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Medical Equipment and Cosmetics Division Director-General Lee Kuo-li (李國驪) said that most table salt includes iodine or other ingredients, which could irritate the nasal cavity.
Lee added that nasal irrigation devices are listed as medical devices in Taiwan and buyers should check product labels to see if they are approved by the FDA.
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