There’s no cure for the common cold, but for as long as human beings — and moms in particular — have been watching irritable and lethargic children struggle with congestion, you better believe we've come up with more than a few remedies to treat the symptoms of the ubiquitous malady.
An ancient Indian remedy that has recently come back into popularity is sinus rinsing, or nasal irrigation. It’s the practice of inserting water or salt water into the nasal passages, which pushes out mucus to relieve congestion and speed up the removal of those pesky germs.
Amid a particularly rough cold and flu season, moms on TikTok have been using the platform to demonstrate how they perform sinus rinsing on their kids to help get all those boogers out so their kiddos can breathe better.
Sinus rinsing is a natural treatment for sinus infections, colds, and even the flu.
According to the Food and Drug Administration sinus rinsing can remove dust and pollen from the nasal cavities and help to loosen mucus. Rinsing can help relieve the pain associated with sinus infections, allergies, colds, and even the flu.
The salt water can also restore moisture and soothe inflamed mucous membranes, according to WebMD. Many mothers on social media swear by it, and are showing others how it’s done.
Some of the kids are fascinated by the process as well.
Some of the moms claim the process is great for congestion and helps their little ones sleep better when they’re fighting off a cold. And for the child in the video, the process of seeing her boogers float down the drain is pretty fascinating, too.
She made sure that her Maui doll from Disney’s Moana saw the whole thing. You may be wondering how the process works on even younger children. Another mother says she does the same thing with her young toddler daily to ward against the germs at day care.
Some moms irrigate preemptively.
Instead of the bottle, this mom uses a syringe. In the caption for her TikTok video, she wrote that before nasal irrigation, both she and her baby were sick every other week. Now, that’s no longer the case.
This mom irrigates her toddler daily and herself as needed. While these methods are tried and proven, and even backed by reputable medical associations, it’s not as simple as pushing water up your nose. After checking with your child's doctor, there are some guidelines to follow.
Be sure to follow these rules.
It is important that you used distilled water or water that has been previously boiled and then cooled. Tap water is unsafe because it is not filtered to the proper extent.
“Some tap water contains low levels of organisms — such as bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas — that may be safe to swallow because stomach acid kills them,” the FDA reports.
“But in your nose, these organisms can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections," advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "They can even be fatal in some rare cases."
Pick a device that's right for your child.
Posture is also important. Lean your child forward or tilt his head to make sure liquid doesn’t flow into his mouth. If you can, encourage your child to breathe through his mouth while the water is in his nose. Lastly, the FDA recommends using an apparatus that is the appropriate size for each child.
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
