Inflammatory diseases of the nose such as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps are widely prevalent. These diseases significantly deteriorate the quality of life of the affected individuals, and adversely affect their ability to perform various activities related to work, leisure, and socialization.¹ As respiratory tract is the most common site of infection, nasal cleansing is considered the first means of prevention against these diseases and their complications.²

Many specialists recommend the use of saline for maintaining nasal hygiene, especially in patients with non-allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, and even those with non-specific conditions such as postnasal drip.^1,3 In these diseases, many chemical inflammatory mediators are released and dissolved in mucus, acting directly and indirectly on the mucosa and inducing edema and ciliary beat alterations. Saline acts by removing or diluting these mediators, thereby reducing local inflammation. Accruing clinical observations have revealed that instillation of isotonic saline in the nose is an easy, well-tolerated and beneficial process with practically no relevant adverse effects.¹

References

1. 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.
2. 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. 
3. Costa LS, Campos AC, Cristina da Silva BT. Isotonic saline nasal irrigation in clinical practice: a literature review. Fisioterapia em Movimento. 2017;30(3):639-649.