It is well known that the nose provides defence from noxious agents by exerting three main actions: warming, moistening, and filtering the inspired air.¹ To ensure that it keeps performing efficiently, it deserves a similar kind of care as that given to skin and hair. Thus, it is important to educate adults as well as children to perform nasal hygiene as a part of daily routine. They should be made aware that cleaning the nose regularly minimizes the chances of allergic reactions.^2,3 As a consequence, the risk of upper respiratory tract infections’ occurrence and recurrence reduces.⁴ Many health care professionals advocate the use of saline as an adjuvant therapy.⁵ Saline not only promotes mucociliary clearance by moisturizing the nasal cavity but also eliminates the encrusted material.³ Therefore, the use of saline for nasal hygiene should be encouraged in people with respiratory tract infections and even in those with no infection as a preventive measure.

References

1.      Ciprandi G, Gelardi M. Open and clean: the healthy nose. Acta Biomed. 2019;90(2-S):4-6.

2.      Ear Nose and Throat Care (Speedy Study Guide). Speedy Publishing. Speedy Publishing LLC, 2015 - Science - 5 pages.

3.      Papsin B, McTavish A. Saline nasal irrigation. Can Fam Physician 2003;49:168-173.

4.      Thenmozhi P, Gowri M. Effectiveness of Isotonic Saline Nasal Care on Nasal Hygiene. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research. 2018;51(2):16-19. 

5.      de Mello Júnior JF, de Godoy Mion O, de Andrade NA, et al. Brazilian Academy of Rhinology position paper on topical intranasal therapy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;79(3):391-400.