18 June 2024 , 10:17
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Summer sniffles can be a real buzzkill.
Hayfever and Covid-19 will leave many Brits sneezing their through the next few sunny months. But fear not - one doctor revealed a surprisingly 'underused method' for keeping those sinuses clear - though, it's not for the faint-hearted.
The London-based medic, Dr Sermed Mezher, took to TikTok to share his wisdom, where he showcased a man practically pouring snot out of his nose. "This is the most underused method for clearing out your nose - look at all he's getting out here!" he said on @drsermedmezher. "It's called sinus rinse [but] why does it work so well?"
Despite their bad reputation, Dr Mezher highlighted the crucial role sinuses play in our health. Essentially, they act a little like nightclub bouncers, deciding what air makes it to our lungs.
"The ambient air can be quite cold, dry and full of allergens and that can be quite harsh on the lungs if it goes straight in there," Dr Mezher continued. "So, when it takes an alternative route through the sinuses, it helps to be warmed, humidified and cleaned to make it high quality once it hits your breathing pipes.
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"But the air also contains bacteria and if they take hold in one of these little pockets, it's very hard to get rid of them."
This build-up of bacteria often leads to an infection known as sinusitis. Although symptoms usually clear up on their own within four weeks, it's not a particularly pleasant condition, causing a reduced sense of smell, and a runny nose with green or yellow mucus in some cases.
According to Mayo Clinic, those who suffer from hayfever are also more susceptible to this infection, but a sinus rinse may help alleviate its symptoms.
Dr Mezher continued: "Now, most people when they get sinusitis, they think of doing things like steroid sprays and decongestants... And, when you spray, that's alright it can increase the size of this canal that opens into the sinus, but it's much better to actually just wash them out and you can use that together with steroid sprays."
"Also if you give antibiotics, it can help kill the bacteria, but unless this fluid is gone, it's easy to get re-infected."
If you're interested in trying a sinus rinse at home, the NHS recommends using a homemade salt water solution for the best results. Its step-by-step guide is set out below.
How to clean your sinuses with salt water:
- Boil a pint of water and leave this to cool down
- Add one teaspoon of salt and another teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
- Cup your palm and pour a small amount of the solution into it
- Sniff this into one nostril at a time while breathing through your mouth. Allow the water to pour back into the sink and try not to let it go down your throat
- Repeat this three times a day until your nose feels more comfortable
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