Dr. Komarovsky about the recipe of saline for washing the nose of the child
A runny nose is a symptom of a great many diseases. In children, the most common occurrence of a runny nose is a sign of a viral infection. There are other reasons for the appearance snotand they are also not uncommon for children. However, viruses are unsurpassed leaders in causing a runny nose of very different intensity. Usually he is well treated at home - the instillation of saline. But what this solution itself is, how to prepare it and how to apply it correctly is by no means everyone knows. Dr. Komarovsky tells about the recipe of saline for washing the nose of the child.
Need to use
When viral particles penetrate into the nasal cavity, local immunity is activated. The mucus, which is usually a bit in the nose, begins to stand out at a more intense pace. This is noticeable to the naked eye - the child is flowing from the nose. Allocated with no color, it is transparent, the consistency is very liquid.
Abundant nasal mucus has an important purpose - it binds viruses, slowing their further progress. In addition, in the nasal mucus contains a large number of special substances that can neutralize viruses.
It turns out that with the very liquid current snot at ARVI or flu fight is not necessary, they are necessary for the body to protect. But this mucus can be dangerous for the child if it starts to thicken. This can happen if the child breathes dry, warm air, if he drinks little liquid, if the room is dusty. If the body temperature is elevated, the mucus dries even faster.
Thickened snot, which change not only the texture, but also the color (for example, turn green) is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. They no longer protect against viruses, but only contribute to the occurrence of bacterial (secondary) inflammation. Such a runny nose is difficult to treat, antibiotics will be required.
In the drying of the nasal mucus is of little use and for other respiratory organs - bronchi, trachea, lungs. Viruses freely penetrate into these parts of the respiratory system, infect them, and inhalation of unsophisticated air through the mouth (nose is stuffed with thick mucus) leads to drying out and bronchial secretions, which is fraught with not only bronchitis of varying severity and duration, but also pneumonia.
Yevgeny Komarovsky says that the task of any sensible parents at the initial stage is to prevent the excessive mucus in the nose from drying out. This is what the salt solution, which is popularly called salt solution, is intended to help.
Whatever you call it, but the benefits of washing the nose is great:
- mucus in the nose is constantly moistenedthat does not allow it to dry up;
- recovery is faster;
- risk of developing secondary inflammation, the associated bacterial disease is significantly reduced;
- parents have a lessonwhich gives them the opportunity to feel that they are not sitting idle, but really are treating the child;
- there are no side effects to the saline solution, it is impossible to get an overdose, and therefore this method is suitable even for a newborn.
Operating principle
The formula of ordinary salt is known to everyone from school - NaCl. And few people know that, in fact, salt contains not only sodium and chlorine, but also other useful minerals - magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc and a number of other elements. When rinsing with saline solution, sodium and chlorine ions, which are extremely important for the normal functioning of the cells, for the distribution of fluid in the tissues, enter the body. These ions are important components of extracellular fluid.
Saline solution for washing the nose of the child in its concentration is very close to the concentration of salt in the blood serum, and therefore it is not regarded by the body as something alien. Additional minerals induce ciliated epithelium cells to a more active immune response.
Recipe
Saline solution for washing the nose and rinsing the throat can be prepared independently (at home), and you can buy at the pharmacy. Yevgeny Komarovsky argues that the acquisition of saline - just a matter of convenience for parents. If it is convenient for them to buy a ready-made solution, there are no problems; If there is an opportunity and desire to prepare a means for rinsing on their own - problems should not arise either.
You can buy pharmaceutical drops at least once, because then they will remain a bottle, which is very convenient for irrigation of the mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx. Then you can pour the home solution into it and use it. From pharmacies can be purchased Aquamaris or "Salin".
At home, an isotonic solution of sodium chloride (namely, the official scientific name is saline) is prepared very simply. You will need:
- regular table salt (1 teaspoon);
- cooled to room temperature boiled water (1 liter).
From these ingredients, a solution is prepared by mixing, the salt concentration in which is about 9 g per liter. In the finished product "Salin" the salt concentration is lower - about 6.5 g per liter. In the pharmacy saline solution, the salt concentration is at the level of the household solution. More concentrated salt solutions are prepared for external use in some skin diseases, and weaker solutions are relevant for washing the stomach and eyes.
Mode of application
Wash your nose with saline to achieve a therapeutic effect. With influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, Yevgeny Komarovsky recommends irrigating the nasal mucous membranes as often as possible - one or two drops of the finished pharmaceutical solution in each nostril (every half hour). If a child falls asleep, then waking him up for instillation or vpryzgivaniya is not worth it, quite enough of those procedures that will be carried out in periods of wakefulness.
If you decide to flush your nose with a saline solution prepared by yourself, you can also use a bottle of dispenser (in the above dosage). If a pipette is used for flushing, then you need to dial a whole into each nostril. If it is more convenient to carry out the procedure with a disposable syringe, you need to dial about one and a half milliliters to flush each nostril. The frequency of washing is in the indicated dose every 30-40 minutes.
There is another way of washing the nose, which is popularly called “cuckoo”. It is often recommended as a physiotherapy when sinus and some other diseases of the respiratory organs. The procedure was given this name due to the fact that when washing you should often say “ku-ku”. This allows the larynx to close tightly, preventing the penetration of saline and pathological contents of the nasal sinuses.
If the treatment of sinusitis takes place in the hospital, washing will be carried out in a certain way - not without the participation of a medical specialist. If the initial stage of the disease, the doctor allowed to be treated at home and recommended doing the "cuckoo", then you should remember the procedure.
For washing you will need a special teapot, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. In the absence of such a product, Komarovsky recommends using a disposable syringe.
The head of the child should be placed above the sink in the bathroom - in a position slightly forward with an inclination to the side (approximately 45 degrees).The solution is inserted into the nostril gently, with a gradual strengthening of the jet. If done correctly, then a solution with fragments of nasal mucus, pus, or other impurities will begin to flow out of the second nostril. Then the second nostril is washed in the same way.
It is not at all necessary to strictly observe the dosage when using saline, since it is impossible in principle to overdose. Yevgeny Komarovsky argues that there is no safer and more effective way to treat a cold.
Vasoconstrictor drops cause persistent drug addiction, antibiotic drugs are needed and are effective only for bacterial rhinitis, and even then not for everyone. And salt solution, which can be prepared without extra costs and at any time, does not cause any negative consequences. At the same time, it can be used not only to moisten the mucous membranes in order to prevent the mucus from drying out, but also to remove accumulated clots, dead cells, particles of viruses from the nasal cavity.
Tips of Dr. Komarovsky
The effectiveness of irrigation of the nose and nasopharynx with saline solution will be significantly higher, and recovery will come much faster if parents (in addition to instillation and washing) observe several important associated conditions:
- The room should be wet and cool. The air temperature is not higher than 18-20 degrees, and the air humidity is 50-70%.
- If a child's fever has decreased, it is necessary to walk in the fresh air.
- During illness, the child should drink as much as possible. Drink should be warm so that it is quickly absorbed.
How to prepare a salt solution, Dr. Komarovsky tells in his video below.
