Acute upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold are the most common diseases among children.¹

Statistics indicate that children get around 6-7 attacks of upper respiratory tract infections during a year.² These mild diseases not only impact the quality of life of patients but also their families, especially when they occur frequently during the first few years of life.

To alleviate symptoms and signs, healthcare professionals often prescribe antipyretics and decongestants. In addition, antibiotics are given in some cases to prevent superimposed bacterial infections. This leads to abuse of antibiotics and high risk of associated problems.¹

Therefore, to limit the negative impacts of these infections and to reduce consumption of drugs, nasal saline drops are recommended as supportive treatment in children.^1,3

Using Saline Nasal Sprays for Babies

Saline may help in relieving nasal congestion and eliminating mucus and secretions, thereby improving breathing.^3,4

A randomized controlled trial also demonstrated the benefits of nasal saline instillation in children with common cold. Use of saline decreased the use of antipyretics, mucolytics and antibiotics in this patient population. Moreover, children who used saline also missed fewer days from school.

These findings suggest saline to be an effective option for improving resolution of nasal symptoms.⁵

Non-aerosol saline nasal spray is used to treat dryness in the nasal passages. It helps to add moisture to the nose, allowing thick or crusty mucus to melt and soften. This makes it easier to extract mucus with a nasal bulb syringe in babies and young children with stuffy noses that cant blow their noses. This relieves suffocation and facilitates breathing.⁷

Contents of Children’s Saline Nasal Sprays

The saline nasal sprays made for children contain a non-aerosol based, purified gentle salt solution, also called saline or sodium chloride solution. They are devoid of any drug or medication.⁷

How to Administer Non-Aerosol Saline Nasal Sprays in Children?

As required, or as directed by the physician, spray this product into each nostril of the child. This substance may also be provided as drops or a stream into the nose.

The steps to administer saline nasal sprays in your child are:

1. Hold your baby in your lap upright or slightly reclined, with her head resting on one of your arms.
2. 2 or 3 drops of saline should be placed in one nostril.
3. Wait for a few seconds for the saline to enter the nose.
4. Squeeze the bulb end of the bulb syringe while closed, forcing the air out of it, when pointing away from your baby.
5. Place the small tip of the bulb syringe in the nostril where you placed the saline drops while keeping the bulb squeezed.
6. Remove the bulb. When air rushes back into the bulb syringe, it creates suction, sucking mucus and extra saline out of your babys nose.
7. To remove the mucus inside, squeeze the bulb syringe into a sink.
8. Before moving on to the other nostril, give it a minute or so. If your child is upset or crying, this will give you time to calm her down.
9. Steps 3 through 7 should be repeated in the other nostril.⁶

Avoid touching the tip of the bottle to the inside of your nose. If this occurs, rinse the tip with hot water and dry it with a clean tissue before putting the container back together.

Get medical help right away if the condition continues or worsens, or if you suspect the child has a serious medical problem.

Adverse Effects of Saline Nasal Sprays

Use of non-aerosol saline nasal sprays is generally free of side effects. However, stinging can occur if the inside of your child’s nose is very dry and irritated. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if this effect continues or worsens.

If your doctor has prescribed this drug, keep in mind that he or she has determined that the benefit to you outweighs the risk of side effects. The majority of people who take this drug do not experience any significant side effects.⁷

This medication rarely causes a severe allergic reaction. However, if your child has any signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as:

• A rash
• Itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• Extreme dizziness ⁷

In such a case, seek medical help right away.

Precautions & Contraindications for Usage of Saline Nasal Sprays

If you are allergic to saline solution or have some other allergies, notify your doctor or pharmacist before using it. Inactive ingredients can be present in this product, causing allergic reactions or other issues. ⁷

Saline nasal sprays are safe to use during pregnancy and when you’re breastfeeding.⁷

Drug Interactions of Saline Nasal Sprays

There are no known drug interactions of saline nasal sprays in particular. However, provide your physician with a complete list of medications that your child is taking when he prescribes a saline nasal spray for them.⁷

References:

1. Principi N, Esposito S. Nasal Irrigation: An Imprecisely Defined Medical Procedure. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(5):516.
2. Ramalingam S, Graham C, Dove J, et al. A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold. Scientific reports. 2019;9:1015.
3. Pappas DE. The Common Cold. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2018;199-202.e1.
4. Chirico G, Quartarone G, Mallefet P, et al. Nasal congestion in infants and children: a literature review on efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological treatments. Minerva Pediatr. 2014 Dec;66(6):549-57.
5. DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN. Treatment of the Common Cold. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Sep 1;100(5):281-289.
6. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-use-saline-nose-drops-in-babies-770597
7. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-166484/childrens-saline-nasal-spray-nasal/details