The safety of nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation is very safe with only a few, rare and minor side effects.[1, 2, 3, 4] It has been used to treat sinus and nasal conditions for many years[5] and is routinely recommended by ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialists[6] and routinely prescribed after endoscopic sinus surgery[2]. It is also recommended to patients with cystic fibrosis, in order to restore the sino-nasal mucosa to a normal state.

Side effects

The few side effects associated with nasal irrigation are both rare and minor. Additionally, many of them are only associated with the use of hypertonic saline solutions. The side effects include:[3]

  • Nasal irritation
  • Headache
  • Tearing
  • Nosebleeds
  • Nasal drainage

If one encounters side effects as a result of nasal irrigation, then one should consider reducing the salinity and/or the frequency of irrigations until the best compromise between health benefits and side effects is found. In general nasal irrigation is well tolerated[3, 7] and these side effects, when encountered, are not usually sufficiently bothersome to stop therapy[3].

References
[1]
M. Holmstrom, G. Rosen, and L. Wahlander. Effect of nasal lavage on nasal symptoms and physiology in wood industry workers. Rhinology, 35(3):108-12, 1997.
[2]
L. T. Tomooka, C. Murphy, and T. M. Davidson. Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation. Laryngoscope, 110(7):1189-93, 2000.
[3]
D. Rabago, A. Zgierska, M. Mundt, B. Barrett, J. Bobula, and R. Maberry. Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: a randomized controlled trial. J Fam Pract, 51(12):1049-55, 2002.
[4]
B. Papsin and A. McTavish. Saline nasal irrigation: Its role as an adjunct treatment. Can Fam Physician, 49(NIL):168-73, 2003.
[5]
L. Traissac, C. Ohayon-Courtes, P. Dufour, and L. Bordenave. [Nasal washing with Physiomer ... 10 years later: 1988-1998]. Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord), 120(2):133-5, 1999.
[6]
D. S. Parsons. Chronic sinusitis: a medical or surgical disease? Otolaryngol Clin North Am, 29(1):1-9, 1996.
[7]
S. J. Rabone and S. B. Saraswati. Acceptance and effects of nasal lavage in volunteer woodworkers. Occup Med (Lond), 49(6):365-9, 1999.