Endonasal washing  [ Return towards  Scientific information  ]

Federica Di Berardino, Francesco Scaglione

Attempts were made to replace steam inhalers with aerosol therapy devices, which are often used improperly, with the wrong attachment, since almost all atomised particles reach the tracheobroncheal tract. Furthermore, the use of hypotonic solutions is tolerated by healthy patients but not by atopic and non-atopic patients with chronic rhinopathies, presenting critical nasal obstruction.
The atomised nasal douche system only acts on the rhinopharynx and allows both washing with water or salt solution and treatment with drugs.
The main advantage of nasal washing is dilution of the mucus, leading to removal of the secretions, crusts, foreign particles, allergens and micro-organisms, hydration of the mucosa and, more importantly, the restoration or improvement of mucociliary clearance.