As a gentle and effective way to care for the nose, nasal irrigation has been incorporated into the daily life of more and more people. Especially in seasons with severe air pollution, high pollen concentrations, or frequent nasal allergies, moderate nasal irrigation can help remove irritants and relieve discomfort. However, many users who try nasal irrigation for the first time will ask: "Can I just use water to rinse my nasal cavity?"
From the perspective of convenience, this question is natural; but from the perspective of medicine and safety, the answer needs to be interpreted more carefully.
What are the risks of rinsing the nasal cavity with tap water?
It is not recommended to directly use untreated tap water to rinse the nasal cavity.
This is because tap water may contain microbial contamination, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and even amoebas (such as Naegleria fowleri). Although these generally do not cause harm during drinking, once they enter the deep nasal cavity or even the sinus area directly, they may pass through the olfactory nerve and enter the central nervous system, inducing rare but serious infections. Therefore, direct use of unboiled or unsterilized water to rinse the nasal cavity poses real health risks, especially in individuals with low immunity or damaged nasal barriers.
Why is saline recommended?
Standard nasal irrigation recommends the use of isotonic saline, which is an aqueous solution with an osmotic pressure close to that of human body fluids (0.9% NaCl). This solution can clean the nasal cavity without irritating the mucosa, causing edema or dryness, and is safer and more comfortable for long-term use.
In contrast, clean water (especially deionized water or distilled water) may cause edema of nasal mucosal cells due to its low osmotic pressure, causing mild stinging or blockage.
- Using saline to rinse the nasal cavity has the following advantages:
- Gentle and non-irritating: consistent with the natural osmotic pressure of the human body, reducing discomfort during the irrigation process;
- Effectively dissolve mucus: promote the discharge of nasal secretions and clear the respiratory tract;
- Strengthen the nasal barrier: maintain the normal function of the nasal mucosa and help resist external stimuli;
- Suitable for long-term use: suitable for people with chronic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis or postoperative care.
If you can only use water, what are the safe practices?
If conditions limit the purchase of ready-made saline or mixed bags, you can also make your own rinsing solution temporarily, but you must pay attention to the following points:
- Use boiled water: first boil the water for at least 5 minutes to sterilize thoroughly, then cool it to close to body temperature;
- Add salt in proportion: add about 4.5 grams (1 teaspoon) of non-iodized salt to every 500ml of water to make a saline solution close to 0.9%;
- Keep clean operation: The rinsing equipment should be regularly disinfected at high temperature to prevent bacterial growth;
- Do not overuse: Avoid high-frequency rinsing that causes mucosal damage, 1 to 2 times a day is appropriate.
However, from the perspective of safety and convenience, it is more recommended to use professional nasal care products, such as the saline powder bag and disposable spray bottle that come with the DeepCozy nasal irrigator, which are simple to operate, safe and hygienic, and are especially suitable for home use and travel.As a brand focusing on respiratory health, the DeepCozy nasal care series provides care products that meet medical standards to help users perform daily nasal cleaning safely and comfortably. Our flushing equipment adopts a soft mist atomization design and is equipped with a sterile salt powder set, which avoids the risks of users "temporarily adding salt" or using unclean water sources, while improving user experience and care efficiency.
Although it seems convenient to rinse the nasal cavity with only water, it may pose a risk to health if it is not processed and proportioned. The standard recommendation is to use isotonic saline and operate with professional instruments to ensure both effectiveness and safety. The DeepCozy nasal care series was created for this purpose, providing users with a scientific, safe and efficient daily nasal cleaning solution.
Healthy breathing starts with every scientific care. If you want to learn more about DeepCozy products or care knowledge, please visit our official website or follow the official WeChat account.
