Allergy Season? Try a Nasal Saline Rinse

If nasal symptoms are driving you bonkers, a little nasal irrigation can soothe your schnoz.

It's easy. You don't need any special devices -- or a tiny garden hose! All you need is a little something you can buy at any drugstore . . .

Ode to Sinus Woes
Research confirms that a nasal saline rinse is a good (and cheap) way to ease chronic sinusitis and rhinitis symptoms. What you'll need to buy: just a simple spray bottle of saline. In a recent study, that delivery method worked best. A spray bottle gently saturates the sinuses and the solution stays put quite well -- so the stuff can do its job. Simply squeeze the bottle and ahhhh . . . (Find out what could happen if your nasal symptoms go untreated.)

Self-Care for Stuffy and Sneezy
Here are some more tips for taming annoying springtime allergies:

• Check it. Your local pollen count, that is. If you know which pollens wreak havoc on your nose, and what time of day and year they're at their peak, you can plan your outdoor activities accordingly. (Find out which time of the day has the highest pollen count.)
• Recirculate. In your house and car, close the windows and put your air conditioner or heater on the "recirculated air" setting. (And take these steps indoors if you're sensitive to mold spores.)
• Swallow or spray. Try over-the-counter or prescription medication. (Find out which ones might be right for you with this quick quiz.)

Is your stuffy, runny nose from allergies or something else? Find out here.

Radiographic comparison of three methods for nasal saline irrigation. Olson, D. E., Rasgon, B. M., Hilsinger, R. L. Jr., Laryngoscope 2002 Aug;112(8 Pt 1):1394-1398.