Nasal Sprays: More There Than Meets the Nose?
Over-the-counter saline sprays are used to moisten dry nasal membranes, clear debris from the nasal passageway, and improve mucous membrane function; they're also frequently used after sinus or nasal surgery. Many commercially available saline solutions have an added preservative to keep bacteria from growing in them.I'm going to see if Simply Saline works better. It has some baking soda in it too, so might be nice...
The trouble appears to be with the most common preservative, benzalkonium chloride (BKC), which researchers say kills off important cells found in the nose. These cells, called neutrophils, are present all over the surfaces of the nose and mouth, and provide a frontline defense against invading organisms. There must be enough functioning neutrophils for the body to successfully fight off infections, including sinusitis.
