Saline spray making my nose feel worse. Is this normal? Is there an alternative spray I can use?

It is very important to keep the inside of your nose moist and clean as you heal from surgery.  I find the best way to do this is with saline nasal spray.   Make sure the spray you are using is specifically for the nose, as some other saline is more concentrated and can cause some burning.  If the pain continues, you should see your doctor and have them examine the nasal lining. Things will get better and better every day!

Dear Mkight313;



Sixteen
days after rhinoplasty, (depending on if you also had septoplasty and turbinate
resection) the nose may be dry. Generally, saline spray is found to be refreshing and helpful, but if in
your case it does not seem to work, then you should consult with your operating
surgeon concerning alternatives.Dry and
stiff may reflect the presence of some crusting on the inside. One product that you should ask your doctor
about is known as “Oil of Ponaris.” The doctor would show you how to apply it to
the interior of your nose, and I think you will find that to be very
helpful.However, judgment, of course,
has to be reserved for the examination by a doctor or a consultant.



I
hope this is helpful.



Best wishes,
Robert
Kotler, MD, FACS

After rhinoplasty, the internal lining of your nose is swollen and traumatized, and there will often be excess accumulation of mucus, which can crust and become a medium for bacterial growth. The use of nasal saline helps to maintain moisture and breakdown some of the excess mucus in order to keep the nasal passages clearer. With that being said, your nose is sensitive at this time, and normal sensation may not return until a few weeks. This often means that the spray can uncomfortable, especially if not used correctly. To use the spray correctly, be sure to aim the spray diagonally superiorly and slightly towards the side of the nose while avoiding "shoving" the bottle tip up into the nose. The spray should be administered as a "mist", not as a rinse, because the rinse may be too traumatic and uncomfortable following rhinoplasty. The goal is to aid in maintaining moisture inside the nose. You can use the nasal spray as often as you like, but I usually recommend at least 4x daily. Indoor humidification will also help. There are also saline gels, which can be applied to the inside of the nose and maintain moisture for longer periods of time. Finally, make sure that your saline spray does not have any medications and preservatives, you may need to switch brands. The Ocean brand is often a preferred brand. Good luck :)!

You should always discuss your specific questions with your surgeon as they are your treating physician. That being said, I usually recommend my patients to use the nasal saline spray many times per day (5+) to help clean out some of the crusting as well as help decrease the inflammation of the nasal lining. You are very early post-op and I would not recommend any other sprays. It will keep getting better and the first few weeks are the roughest. Best of luck