It can also be used to relievesnoring.

Unlikesteroid nasal spraysorantihistamine nasal sprays, saline nasal sprays do not contain medicine.

This means you might safely use it as often as you should probably relieve your symptoms.

Woman using nasal spray for controlling rhinitis

Burger / Getty Images

Most saline nasal sprays have the same two ingredients: sterilized water and salt.

The sprays usually come in a squirt bottle or pump bottle.

There are different saline spray brands for children and adults.

Mixing Saline and Medicated Nasal Sprays

Saline does not interact with other medications.

This ensures you don’t rinse the medication from your nostrils.

How to Use

Your spray will come with instructions.

see to it to follow them carefully.

Your healthcare provider might also give you a different set of instructions.

Also, the spray can cause coughing or gagging in babies if squeezed too forcefully.

Side Effects

Saline nasal sprays are generally safe and usually do not cause any side effects.

Switching to a preservative-free spray may help.

Discard the contents after three days, and wash the bottle thoroughly between uses.

Place in a sterile squeeze bottle, and discard the contents after 24 hours.

How Do Saline Nasal Sprays Work?

The salt in the saline solution draws moisture from the nasal passages.

If nasal passages are swollen, the spray can draw water out to reduce fluid overload and improve breathing.

Alternatives

Saline sprays may not be enough to relieve nasal congestion.

One such example is an age-old home remedy known as aneti pot.

Neti pots can be found online and in most larger retail drugstores.

For this reason, decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for longer than three days.

They can also keep nasal passages from drying out and aid with healing after nasal or sinus surgery.

you’ve got the option to use a saline nasal spray as often as needed.

They are safe and usually do not cause any side effects.

Saline nasal sprays are inexpensive and readily found at most drugstores.

you could also make your own at home with non-iodized or kosher table salt and water.

2014;66(6):549-57.

Critical review of the literature by a medical panel.Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis.

2013 Jun;130(3):137-44. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2012.09.005