Shorten Your Cold by Two Days! Can It Work Without Medicine? Why Nasal Irrigation is Considered Effective Against Colds and Pollen

The "early signs" of a cold appear in the nose

with a slight tickle in the throat. Sneezing increases. The nose gets congested, leading to shallow breathing——. When we sense such a "preview" of a cold, we usually reach for throat lozenges, over-the-counter medicine, or energy drinks. However, recently, the idea of "washing the nose before taking medicine" has been gaining traction.

The British newspaper The Independent introduced nasal saline irrigation, a method of rinsing the nasal cavity with saltwater. This ancient practice has been discussed in research for its potential to "shorten the duration of symptoms" and "prevent the spread of infection."

What is nasal irrigation? It's not just about the neti pot

Nasal irrigation involves rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution (saltwater similar in concentration to physiological saline). The equipment used includes not only the traditional neti pot (a teapot-like container) but also nozzle-equipped bottles and pump sprays, among other methods studied.

Its origins trace back to Ayurveda, and the neti pot is said to date back to the 15th century. It became widely known in the U.S. after being featured on television programs.

The expected mechanism: "Physical + Environmental + Defense System"

The article emphasizes three major functions.

1. Physically rinse away: The idea is to "flush out" not only mucus and scabs but also viruses and allergens.

2. Change the environment: Saltwater creates an environment less favorable for viruses in terms of pH compared to plain water, potentially inhibiting their proliferation.

3. Support cilia: The fine hairs in the nasal mucosa act like an "escalator" to carry out foreign substances, and saltwater helps maintain this function.

In short, the idea is to "reduce and expel at the entry point (nose)" rather than "attack with medicine." This concept resonates on social media as it "seems to make sense."

What does research say? (Perceived effectiveness)

The article introduces the notion that a large-scale study showed a reduction in symptom duration by about two days, and a small-scale study suggested it could be "up to four days shorter."
Meanwhile, a recent large-scale trial based on UK GPs compared interventions including nasal sprays (such as saline), published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, reported accelerated recovery and reduced antibiotic use (with 13,799 participants).

Additionally, the ELVIS trial, which investigated hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling (HSNIG) for adult upper respiratory infections, examined indicators related to symptoms and virus shedding duration.

There are also research reports related to COVID-19 suggesting that nasal irrigation and gargling may have been associated with symptoms and virus shedding.

The key takeaway here is to read it as "nasal irrigation is not a cure-all" but as "early self-care that may influence the severity and duration of symptoms." Due to individual differences in symptoms and variations in implementation methods, excessive expectations should be avoided.

"Nasal irrigation over antibiotics" —— The reason for its distinct value

Most colds are viral, and antibiotics are ineffective. Nevertheless, the expectation of "wanting a prescription" often leads to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions——the article delves into this structure and discusses the significance of nasal irrigation from the perspective of antibiotic resistance.

Not only does it make "you feel better," but it may also have benefits from the perspective of medical resources and the issue of resistant bacteria. This "seemingly socially correct" context is one reason for its support on social media.

Social media reactions: Divided "real" opinions

The topic of nasal irrigation tends to elicit divided reactions on social media due to the varying personal experiences. Here, we organize the "typical voices" often seen in actual posts (※These are personal experiences and do not guarantee effectiveness).

1) "It helps if done early" group (supporters)

• "Clearing nasal congestion saves my nights"

• "It feels like I can stop the cold at the 'nasal stage'"

• On Reddit, advice such as "use saline spray a few times when sneezing signs appear" can be found.

On X (formerly Twitter), there are traces of the topic "nasal irrigation with saline shortens colds" trending, indicating a certain level of interest.

2) "Gross/Scary/Painful" group (resistance)

• "I can't handle the videos. I lose the motivation before trying"

• "It looks painful and stings"

• "What if it gets into the ears?"

This "resistance" is quite strong, especially when videos of performing it on children spread, leading to polarization with reactions like "just watching makes my nose itch" and "but it seems effective and intriguing."

3) "Pollen allergy/sinusitis regulars" group (habitual users)

For many, nasal irrigation is more of a staple for managing allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or chronic nasal symptoms than for colds. Medical institutions and health information websites also organize the potential benefits of nasal irrigation for alleviating allergy and post-infection nasal symptoms.

4) Increasing "misunderstandings from social media"

While short health videos are "easy to understand," they often omit important cautionary details. In fact, a study analyzing sinusitis-related videos on TikTok reported that a certain percentage of non-medical videos contained misinformation, with universities issuing warnings.

Nasal irrigation is "simple if done correctly," but "risky if done incorrectly," making it poorly suited for social media.

If you're going to do it, follow these basics for safe nasal irrigation

Use only "safe water" (most important)

The absolute must in nasal irrigation is the safety of the water. Both the CDC and FDA clearly advise using distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled water for nasal rinsing.

Using tap water directly can, although rare, lead to fatal infections (e.g., Naegleria fowleri).

Guidelines for making it at home (as introduced in the article)

• Non-iodized salt about 1/2 teaspoon + water 1 cup

• The water should be boiled for at least 5 minutes and then cooled (or distilled water)

• If it stings, add a pinch of baking soda (to reduce irritation)

Timing and frequency

The article suggests starting at the "first sign of symptoms," repeating morning and night, and if necessary, during the day, with studies showing cases of up to six times a day.

Consult a healthcare provider if

• you have a weakened immune system or underlying conditions

• you experience ear pain or symptoms resembling otitis media

• you are prone to nosebleeds or experience severe pain

• symptoms persist, you have a high fever, or difficulty breathing
  
  
  

Conclusion: Nasal irrigation can be a "first response option"

The appeal of nasal irrigation lies in its affordability, non-reliance on medication, and direct approach to the "most troublesome part" of nasal congestion. Research shows some potential, and experiences are increasing on social media.

However, the most important rule is one: safe water and clean equipment. Neglecting this increases the risks over the benefits.

At the moment you feel "like catching a cold," whether it's throat lozenges or herbal medicine——adding "washing your nose" as an option is wise. The best approach is to incorporate it correctly without over-glorifying it.