Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Intranasal Administration of CNS Therapeutics to Awake Mice
Published on: April 8, 2013
Nasal rinsing with hypertonic solution: an adjunctive treatment for pediatric seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Werner Garavello1, Federica Di Berardino, Marco Romagnoli
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. werner.garavello@unimib.it
Insights
Nasal rinsing with hypertonic saline effectively reduced symptoms and antihistamine use in children with allergic rhinitis. This safe and inexpensive treatment is recommended for seasonal grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Otolaryngology
- Clinical Therapeutics
Background:
- Limited evidence suggests hypertonic saline nasal lavage as adjunctive therapy for pediatric allergic rhinitis.
- The study aimed to evaluate routine recommendation of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for children with seasonal grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the efficacy and safety of daily hypertonic saline nasal rinsing in children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
- To assess the impact on symptom scores and oral antihistamine usage.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 44 children with seasonal grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis.
- Intervention group received thrice-daily nasal rinsing with hypertonic saline for 7 weeks; control group received no irrigation.
- Symptom scores and antihistamine use were recorded weekly.
Main Results:
- The hypertonic saline group showed a statistically significant reduction in rhinoconjunctivitis scores in weeks 6 and 7.
- Significantly lower oral antihistamine intake was observed in the active group for 5 out of 7 weeks.
- No adverse effects were reported with hypertonic saline nasal rinsing.
Conclusions:
- Hypertonic saline nasal rinsing is a tolerable, inexpensive, and effective treatment for pediatric seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
- The findings support the routine use of this intervention in managing pediatric allergic rhinitis.
Background:
Recent but limited evidence suggests that nasal lavage with hypertonic saline may be useful as an adjunctive treatment modality in the management of pediatric allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to clarify whether nasal irrigation with hypertonic solution should be routinely recommended to children with seasonal grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis.
Methods:
Fourty-four children with seasonal grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis were recruited. Twenty-two patients were randomized to receive three-times daily nasal rinsing with hypertonic saline during the pollen season, which lasted 7 weeks. Twenty-two patients were allocated to receive no nasal irrigation and were used as controls. Twenty patients per group completed the study. A mean daily rhinoconjunctivitis score based on the presence of nasal discharge and obstruction as well as ocular symptoms as reddening and itching were calculated for each week of the pollen season. Patients were allowed to use oral antihistamines when required and the mean number of drugs taken per week was also calculated.
Results:
The mean weekly rhinoconjunctivitis score in the active group was reduced during the whole pollen period. This difference was statistically significant in week 6 and 7 of therapy. A markedly reduced intake of oral antihistamines was also observed in patients allocated to nasal rinsing, being statistically significant in 5 of the 7 weeks. No adverse effect was reported in the active group.
Conclusions:
This study supports the use of nasal rinsing with hypertonic saline in the pediatric patient with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. This treatment proved to be tolerable, inexpensive and effective.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:16Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
01:27Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in various...
01:30Epistaxis
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
01:30Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and anaphylaxis:...