The Importance of Nasal Care After Surgery

November 25, 2025

After sinus or nasal surgery, it is important to practice nasal hygiene. The right nasal care can clear crusts, prevent infection, and speed healing when used safely.

Why does nasal care matter after surgery?

If you’ve had sinus or nasal surgery, your doctor probably recommended using a saline rinse. This simple step is one of the most important parts of recovery. Regular nasal rinsing helps to:

Clear out blood and crusts that build up after surgery [1]
Lower the risk of infection by washing away germs and bacteria [1]
Reduce swelling and congestion so you can breathe more easily [1]
Help your nose heal faster and feel more comfortable [1]
Make medicines work better, since rinsing helps topical treatments reach deeper into the sinuses [2]

What happens if you don’t continue with nasal care post-surgery?

Skipping nasal care after surgery can sometimes make recovery longer and more difficult than expected. Without proper care, crusts and dried blook can build up inside your nose. This may lead to some complication such as:

Possible blocked breathing passages and feeling constantly “stuffed up”
Probability of more discomfort and pain during healing
A higher chance of infection because bacteria can grow in the mucus and crusts [1]
Extra doctor visits for debridement (cleaning out the nose in the clinic)

Your nasal care routine is important for your nose and sinuses like brushing is for your teeth— it keeps the area clean and promotes healing.

Doctors and medical guidelines strongly recommend regular nasal care after surgery. Studies show that:

High-volume rinses (like irrigation systems) work better than small sprays because they reach more of the sinus area [2,3].
Isotonic saline (normal strength) is usually the easiest to tolerate. Hypertonic (extra salty) solutions may help with symptoms but can cause more stinging [4].
Rinsing several times a day for the first few weeks might help speed up healing and keeps the nose clear

How Do You Clean Your Nose After Sinus Surgery?

Always follow the post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon and take the right steps to ensure your sinus rinse is safe and easy:

Prepare your rinse using a saline packet and sterile, distilled, or boiled (then cooled down) water. Never use tap water as it is not 100% safe [5].
Lean over a sink with your head slightly forward.
Gently insert the device with the solution into one nostril. It should flow out and be painless.
Repeat on the other side.
Do this 2–4 times per day, or as your doctor recommends.

Extra Tip: Do not blow your nose too hard right after rinsing, as it may slow healing and cause water to go to the ears.

Tap water and how safe it is to be used for nasal rinsing. Text reads: Safety First: This is one of the most important parts. Always make sure the water is safe. Use distilled or sterile water (sold in stores), OR boil tap water for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at higher elevations), then let it cool before use [7,8]. Using plan tap water can be dangerous, as rare but serious infections have been linked to unsafe rinsing.

Patient tips for better care:

Adopting a nasal care routine does not have to overwhelming. Consider these tips to help make the process easier:

Warm it up: Use lukewarm saline (not too hot or cold). This makes rinsing more comfortable.
Stay consistent: Rinse at the same times each day so it becomes part of your routine.
Clean your device: Wash your NasoNeb® system, squeeze bottle, Neti pot, or irrigation system after each use with hot water and air-dry completely. If using rinse bottles, ensure to replace them every few months.
Be gentle: The NasoNeb® device was designated to deliver the gentleness your nose needs to maintain consistency with your nasal health routine. Using sinus rinse bottle or combining it with our nasal nebulizer? Steady squeeze rather than forceful pressure, as this could cause discomfort.
Don’t give up too soon: The first few days might feel uncomfortable; it may take a week or two to adjust and get the relief you need.

Long-term benefits of rinsing

Even after your nose has healed, you can benefit from continuing nasal care. Research shows that maintaining this routine long-term can:

Reduce symptoms of chronic sinusitis [6].
Improve breathing and consequently help with sleep quality [6].
Possibly lower the chance of needing more surgery in patients with ongoing sinus disease.
Help manage allergies, since rinsing removes pollen and other irritants from the nose [6].

Consider nasal care to become part of your daily self-care routine.

Seeking a more advanced solution? The NasoNeb® Sinus Therapy System offers a high-volume, low-pressure nasal irrigation system designed to deliver saline solution deeper into the sinuses. This system is particularly beneficial for post-surgical patients, as it:

It takes less than 30 seconds per nostril to deliver saline solution and/or medication prescribed by your healthcare provider.

It assists with clearing crusts and debris.

Delivers medication directly to the sinuses [2]

NasoNeb system device. Text reads: NasoNeb system: The next level in nasal care. Less than 30 seconds per nostril. Assists with clearing crusts and debris. Delivers medication directly to the sinuses [2]

This is a simple but powerful step after nasal or sinus surgery. It clears your nose, lowers the risk of infection, and helps you heal faster. Just remember use the right solution, rinse often, and only use safe water.

If you’re unsure about when to start, how often to rinse, or which solution is best, always follow your surgeon’s advice.

References:

¹Verma, R. R., Verma, R. (2023). Sinonasal Irrigation After Endoscopic Sinus surgery – Past to Present and Future.Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-03525-7

² A comparative study of the distribution of normal saline delivered by large particle nebulizer vs. Large Volume/Low Pressure Squeeze Bottle. (n.d.).https://www.nasoneb.com/pages/physicians-nurse-practitioners

³ Chitsuthipakorn, W., Kanjanawasee, D., Hoang, M. P., Seresirikachorn, K.,Snidvongs, K. (2022). Optimal Device and Regimen of Nasal saline Treatment for sinonasal Diseases: Systematic Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/2473974x221105277

⁴ Kanjanawasee, D., Seresirikachorn, K., Chitsuthipakorn, W., Snidvongs, K. (2018). Hypertonic saline versus isotonic saline nasal irrigation: Systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy.https://doi.org/10.1177/1945892418773566

⁵ How to safely rinse sinuses. (2025, July 16). Naegleria Fowleri Infection.https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/prevention/sinus-rinsing.html

⁶ UHealth University of Utah. (2025, January 24). How does nasal rinsing work and is it safe? University of Utah Health | University of Utah Health.https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2025/01/how-does-nasal-rinsing-work-and-it-safe

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