Abstract
Background: This article provides, for the first time, a comprehensive view on everyday practice and evidence-based advice on the regular use of saline nasal sprays or drops to support nasal function and to help protect from airborne pollutants, pollens and viruses. Method: An extensive literature search was conducted with PubMed, Google Scholar and national healthcare databases to identify and summarise the evidence available to date on the role of saline nasal sprays or drops in nasal hygiene. Clinical perspectives from international respiratory specialists were included. Results: Following the PubMed searches, twenty-three articles were assessed in adults and children using isotonic or hypertonic saline nasal sprays and drops, including five systematic reviews and 11 randomised controlled trials. Six national clinical guidance documents were included from the other database searches to give a total of 29 articles. The findings support that regular, daily use of saline nasal sprays or drops could provide relief from nasal symptoms in adults and children with upper respiratory tract infections or allergic rhinitis; future studies are expected to demonstrate benefit following air pollutant exposure. No serious adverse events were reported. National guidance recommends daily nasal hygiene with saline sprays and drops, some from infancy. Conclusion: Regular, daily use of saline nasal spray or drops could reduce the effects of noxious stimuli in the nose, helping to support respiratory health.
Highlights
Healthy humans are predominantly nose-breathing at rest(1)
Following the PubMed searches, twenty-three articles were assessed in adults and children using isotonic or hypertonic saline nasal sprays and drops, including five systematic reviews and 11 randomised controlled trials
The findings support that regular, daily use of saline nasal sprays or drops could provide relief from nasal symptoms in adults and children with upper respiratory tract infections or allergic rhinitis; future studies are expected to demonstrate benefit following air pollutant exposure
Summary
The nose and nasal mucosa play an essential role in maintaining healthy airways by entrapping inhaled airborne aggressors such as pollutants, pollen and infectious viruses, as well as heating and humidifying inhaled air. This prevents irritation or damage to delicate distal pulmonary tissues and allows the lungs to work efficiently(2). Irritation of nasal mucosa by airborne aggressors can disrupt the functioning of the nose, and result in nasal symptoms such as congestion, rhinorrhoea and sneezing(3-5). This article provides, for the first time, a comprehensive view on everyday practice and evidence-based advice on the regular use of saline nasal sprays or drops to support nasal function and to help protect from airborne pollutants, pollens and viruses
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