If you have a serious seasonal allergy problem, then you may have an arsenal of medications that you use daily to help minimize your allergy symptoms. Antihistamines are surely part of this arsenal, and you may also use some nasal sprays. Steroid nasal sprays, which include varieties like fluticasone (Dymista), are quite helpful when it comes to reducing the nasal and sinus inflammation that creates pressure around the face and ears. These sprays are fairly simply to use, but you may find that your inflammation may not be reduced as much as it should be. If so, then learn why you should clean out your sinuses before using the spray and also learn how to clear them out successfully.
Cleaning Out Your Sinuses
When an allergen enters your nose, your body sees it as a threat to the body. The immune system identifies the threat and starts preparing antibodies to fight off the foreign substance. The antibodies search for the allergen and then send signals to the body when they are located. The body releases histamine in response, which causes inflammation in the area. As tissues swell, the blood vessels constrict and mucus is released into the nasal cavity. The mucus flushes the allergens out of the nose. However, the pollen and mucus can get stuck in the sinuses. This can make it difficult for the medication in the nasal spray to reach the tissues so it can absorb into the bloodstream.
To make sure your nasal spray can absorb properly, clean out your sinuses completely first. Not only will this help to remove the mucus and pollen, but the cleaning will help to free up the small hairs in the nose called the cilia. The cilia move around inside the nasal passages to force mucus and irritants out of the nose.
Using A Neti Pot
You can clean your sinuses with a neti pot. Purchase a new neti pot at your local pharmacy. These pots are typically small, inexpensive plastic devices. They look like teapots with a shallow base and a long spout. You will need to sanitize the pot, so place it in a pot of boiling water on the stove for several minutes and allow it to dry naturally. Purchase some distilled water and some sea salt. Distilled water contains no contaminants or impurities, so bacteria, minerals, viruses, chlorine, and other compounds can be kept out of your nose.
Pour about one cup of the distilled water in a cup, add one teaspoon of sea salt, and place the cup in the microwave for 10 seconds. Use a spoon to mix the solution to dissolve the salt. Pour the mixture into your neti pot. Tip your head over the sink and to the right about 45 degrees. Place the nozzle of the pot in your left nostril and tip the pot so about half the contents release through your nasal passage. Tip your head to the left afterwards and pour the remaining fluid into the right nostril.
Once you have completed the rinse, tip your head down over the sink. This will allow leftover moisture to drip out of the nose. Gently blow your nose afterwards and use the nasal spray at this time.
Trying Spices
Some people are uncomfortable with the use of neti pots and saline sprays to clear out the sinus cavities. If you are one of these people, then you can use spices to clear your sinuses of mucus instead. Hot spices are irritants that produce heat and cause the body to produce mucus to relieve the irritation. This is why you produce saliva, nasal mucus, and tears when you eat a spicy food. Your body is basically trying to get rid of the substance causing the discomfort.
To clear the nose effectively, purchase pepper flakes or dried pepper seasoning made from a pepper in the middle range of the Scoville heat scale. Cayenne, Habanero, Piri Piri, Tabasco, and Jamaican hot pepper flakes are all good options. Place about one-quarter teaspoon of the flakes in a large glass of water and stir. Slowly sip on the fluid until your nose starts to run. Blow your nose and continue to drink the spicy fluid until you can breathe easily through your nose. Blow your nose one final time and then use the nasal spray.
Share11 July 2016
I was always very healthy throughout my childhood, but when I became a teenager, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Thankfully, I had the support of my loving family to help keep me upbeat during a time that could have led to me experiencing the depression that some do after they first learn they will have an illness for life. I am very grateful for the advice I have gotten throughout my life, so I decided to create a blog where I can share all of the advice that has helped me live a happy, healthy life, despite having a chronic illness. Since I am on a medication that suppresses my immune system, I have also studied up on many other illnesses and tips for avoiding them and treating them. I plan to post health tips for people of a variety of ages and suffering with various illnesses!