Reduce Dust, Pollen, and Viral Load with Good “Nasal” Housekeeping

By Koby Taylor, PharmD

Summertime is upon us, and with the change of season, we look forward to going outside to resume hiking, biking, boating, and gathering with our friends and family to enjoy the sun and the warm temperatures. Because our region consists primarily of sand and dirt and because we’ll be gathering in larger groups, it is the perfect time to give you a few tips about nasal health so that you can enjoy everything the season has to offer.

Good Nasal Housekeeping

I’ve written articles in the past about sinus health, and we have a lot of information on this subject in my pharmacy and on my website. I thought I would approach this subject again for two reasons: one, summer air is extremely dry and your sinuses will need a little extra moisture; two, dry sinuses can often lead to illness.

To emphasize the importance of nasal and sinus health, here are some fun facts to ponder:

• Your nose can detect more than 10,000 scents, and scents are connected to the memory center in your brain.

• Your nose can detect danger (i.e. a gas leak or smoke).

• Your nose and sinuses also serve as a micro-humidifier; as you inhale through your nose, the air swirls up into the mucus-lined sinus cavity, moistening the air as it reaches your lungs.

• Sinuses actually reduce the weight of your skull, help to resonate your voice, and protect and insulate your brain from heat.

• Sinuses keep your nose moisturized by producing mucus (a liter per day!) while they both filter the air from dust, pollen, and germs.

The nose, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses are one of the most important and sophisticated systems of your body, but even the most perfectly designed system needs a little help from time to time. Keeping your nose and sinuses healthy can easily be incorporated into your daily hygiene routine.

Dust, Pollen, and Viral Load

When the air is hot and dry, most of us don’t think about catching a cold or the flu, but “hot and dry” is the perfect time for germs to make their way into your immune system. Dry sinuses mean a dry nose, and if both are not able to filter effectively, you can get sick. This same logic applies to the environmental dust and pollen that trigger allergy symptoms.

One quick note about your hands: washing your hands, as we all know, is essential for keeping germs at bay, and it’s not because dust, pollen, and viruses will enter through your skin. It is because germs can get into your nose, eyes, and mouth when you touch your face! Reminding yourself not to touch your face is nearly impossible. Some studies suggest that on average, you touch your face up to 140 to 280 times a day, depending on your work or daily activity.

Keep the Nose Clean with a Nasal Rinse

The practice of nasal rinsing with a neti pot, historically called a JalaNeti, is believed to be over 1000 years old and originates from ancient India and Ayurvedic practices. When the Neti-Pot arrived in the west in the eighteenth century, it became a common recommendation by practitioners for those suffering from sino-nasal complaints.

Fast forward to today, and you’ll find many devices on the market for nasal rinsing as well as many articles and studies about its pros and cons. As always, I encourage you to do your research and speak to your health care provider about adding this to your hygiene routine.

Benefits of Using a Nasal Rinse

Because sinuses can get dry in the summer, adding some moisture while cleansing away dust, dirt, and germs could keep you from getting sick. Some studies suggest that rinsing reduces “viral load.” What this means is that viruses will typically grow or multiply within the nose and sinuses before entering the lungs. The combination of using a nasal rinse and gargling with saline or mouthwash helps reduce viral load.

If you’re someone who works around a lot of dust and dirt (like construction), this hygiene method could really be beneficial, especially if you suffer from blocked nasal passages. Allergy sufferers could also find relief by using this method because pollen collects within the nose and sinuses the same way dust does.

Using a Nasal Rinse

Allowing water to enter your nose is not something you’ve trained your body to do, so go slow. It will take practice and patience. Each device will have instructions on proper use. Some devices will have you squeeze the solution in your nostrils (one at a time) while others may have you pour the solution. Tip: Make sure the water is warm—not too hot or too cold. Do the wrist test just like you would to test a baby’s bottle.

Use caution when rinsing with tap water; it can carry microelements from the pipes or microorganisms that your gut can adequately handle but your sinuses and nose cannot. Distilled water or sterile water is your best bet. If you are going to use tap water, bring it to a boil for at least five minutes, and let it cool before use. Distilled water can be purchased from your local grocery store; sterile water is by prescription.

You will use a saline solution in your nasal rinse. It consists of distilled water and salt that you can mix at home. Most devices come with packaged salt and instructions, which I encourage you to follow as each device may be different.

Rinse no more than once a day and no more than feel you need to. If you’re someone who suffers from chronic sinus issues, please consult with our doctor about frequency and whether a nasal rinse is right for you.

Used correctly, sinus irrigation removes dust, pollen, and other debris and helps to loosen thick mucus in the nasal passage. Irrigating your sinuses regularly at home can indeed be an effective way to ease sinus inflammation, prevent recurrent sinus infections, decrease allergy symptoms, and keep you from getting sick this summer.

FUSION PHARMACY Santa Clara (435) 703-9680 St. George (435) 656-2059 www.FusionSpecialtyPharmacy.com #FusionIsBetterMedicine

About the Author

Koby Taylor, PharmD, is the owner and pharmacist of Fusion Pharmacy. Working as a retail pharmacist early in his career, Koby began to see that pharmacy patients needed to have access to available alternative medications. He realized that pharmacy in its truest form is compounding, and he wanted to be able to provide patients with customized medications. He also desired more personalized interactions with patients in order to truly help their health and wellbeing. To fulfill his passion for improving the health of patients and educating them about compounding, Koby opened the doors of Fusion Pharmacy in 2013. Today, Fusion is nationally accredited with PCAB and NABP. It is licensed in and ships to 27 states. Fusion is proud to have two locations to better serve the southern Utah community. Koby graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in molecular biology in 1995 and from the University of Utah with his Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2000.

Koby Taylor