Colds, sinusitis and hay fever are common ailments that cause blocked noses in millions of people worldwide at any time.
Of these three ailments, the cold is the most widespread and the one we experience the most frequently. This is why we often call it ‘the common cold’.1
All three of these conditions share similar symptoms, such as a runny nose, a blocked or stuffy nose and sneezing.1
WHAT CAUSES A BLOCKED NOSE?
A blocked nose occurs when an infection or allergy causes the blood vessels in the nasal cavity to swell and for excessive fluid or mucus to be produced. This gives rise to a ‘stuffy feeling’.6
Saline nasal sprays
Nasal washing, or douching, is a procedure that rinses the nasal cavity with either hypertonic or isotonic saline solutions. 10, 11
The Isotonic solutions have the same salt concentration as the cells that line the nasal cavity. On the other hand, hypertonic solutions have a higher salt concentration.10
We can perform nasal washing or douching via a spray, pump, nebuliser or squirt bottle. Saline is a saltwater that is thought to work by enhancing the nasal mucosa’s ability to resist the effects of irritants, infections and other inflammatory agents. 12 Saline is effective for use in managing symptoms associated with the following conditions: Upper respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, and acute and chronic rhinosinusitis. 12
- Clears a blocked nose5
- It keeps noses running clear,5,12
- eases breathing,12
- moisturises the nasal cavities 5, 11, 12
How do you treat a blocked or stuffy nose?
Choose a fine mist
If a nasal spray hurts or scares babies/children, they won’t want to use it again. Therefore you should use a product containing a gentle micro-mist that is preservative-free and does not sting or burn. This is what you really need when helping your baby or child to breathe better.
Moreover, the fine micro-mist means that the spray doesn’t release a harsh, strong liquid stream. As a result, children can use the sprays from a young age, repeatedly, themselves. Harsh aerosolised-type sprays tend to put children off using nasal sprays completely, defeating the purpose of having the sprays.
Dispenser design
Administering a nasal spray for a baby can be a difficult task! Holding your little one upright while trying not to push the nozzle too far up their tiny nose and pressing the nozzle down whilst trying to keep your little one’s head upright. A lot to remember, right? Choose a nasal spray with an easy thumb-press action that sprays at any angle. Thus, your baby can be lying down, on his/her side, upside down, or at any angle.
Furthermore, ensure that the bottle design results in the contents remaining sterile despite regular use, so there is no need to discard them after use.
Administering to babies
Did you know that babies under the age of 6 months can only breathe through their noses? Therefore, if they have blocked noses, they struggle to latch onto the teat/nipple, swallow more air, and end up crying with discomfort or pain. By simply using a nasal spray 10 minutes before feeding, your baby will breathe and feed better.
Due to saline mimicking the nose environment, it can be used several times every day. Especially for babies to breathe better (therefore drink, sleep and grow better). Indeed, helping babies drink and sleep better due to improving breathing and oxygen supply.
Suitable for a multitude of circumstances
Nasal sprays can be used in nursery- or school-going kids to wash away pollen, dust, viruses and bacteria from the nose, reducing sniffles, allergies and the frequency of the common cold and flu.
If your doctor has prescribed cortisone, using a spray before using the cortisone would wash away mucus from the nose, clearing the nose area for the cortisone to do its job, making the cortisone more effective, and improving symptoms more quickly.
Choosing the right nasal spray
- Not all nasal sprays/washes are equal for blocked noses, allergies, colds and flu, and general sniffles. Flo products are so much more than just saline.
- Flo products are special because they contain saline and added minerals to resemble a healthy nose environment, thereby resulting in better breathing than saline alone.
- Because the sprays resemble the natural healthy nose environment, they wash away unwanted pollen, dust, viruses and bacteria, whilst putting back the necessary minerals required by the nose to function optimally.
- Scientifically proven to use for all ages, from neonates, premature babies, pregnant women, all adults, and even post-surgery. Flo mimics the nose environment and is not harsh, so anybody can use it.
- Flo is gentle, easy to use, and very effective in getting the task done.
the FLO range
Flo Douches/washes
It can reach hard-to-reach sinus cavity areas from the age of 4 and even for ladies suffering from nasal congestion during pregnancy (Flo Sinus Care).
Flo Sinus Care
Thins and washes away mucus (and bacteria/viruses) to help reduce sinus pressure and pain. You squeeze the specially designed bottle yourself, determining the pressure at which the liquid enters the nostril, so you can tailor it to enter the nostril at a low pressure/speed that is comfortable for you or your child.
Flo CRS
It contains xylitol, ideal for more persistent nasal problems and relieves thick stagnant mucus and recurrent infections. This formulation is also preservative-free and thins out mucus better than saline alone.
Flo washes
Help with the natural defences of the nasal surface tissues because they do not stop the tiny hair responsible for moving mucus/germs out of the nose from working. Some other sprays prevent these hairs from moving, which is not ideal.
This ebrochure is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or treatment or replace the advice of your doctor, pharmacist, primary health care nurse or other healthcare provider. You are advised to discuss any questions or concerns you have with your healthcare provider.
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