The science behind nasal aspirators: Why they can relieve a baby’s cold symptoms and how they work.

A report by the National Institutes of Health suggests that the use of nasal aspirators improves respiratory symptoms in wheezing babies. The study worked with parents of wheezing children (age 3-72 mo.) who tracked their baby’s wellness with questionnaires during a 90-day period. Parents were asked about their child’s symptoms of the upper and lower airways. The study found that the use of an automatic nasal aspirator in children with a history of recurrent wheezing was associated with improved respiratory health during the cold season.

What do our noses do?

Our noses play a crucial role in our respiratory system. On average, an adult inhales around 10,000 liters or a staggering 2600 gallons of air daily. Beyond facilitating airflow, the nose performs several essential functions:

1. Filtration: Our noses are equipped with vibrissae, tiny hairs at the entrance, that act as filters, capturing environmental particles. Interestingly, infants and children lack these prominent filters, making them less efficient in warding off germs and managing mucus.

2. Temperature Regulation: One of the nose's pivotal roles is warming the inhaled air, ensuring a balance and aiming to maintain the nasal cavity's temperature just slightly below our body's core temperature. Despite its best efforts, there's still about a 10% heat loss.

3. Humidification: Achieving proper humidification is a daunting task for our noses. The internal lining works diligently to boost the inhaled air's relative humidity, raising it to over 95% before the air proceeds to our throats.

Understanding Nasal Anatomy

One of the easiest ways to understand how our noses are structured is to think of an A-frame house. Just as a house design hides utilities within its walls and provides optimal ventilation, our nasal structure is similar. Air is channeled into our noses via the openings of our nostrils, located in the lower and middle sections. These nostrils feature dual valves – both an outer and an inner one, which are rigid yet pliable. The primary entryway of our nose is called the piriform aperture.

For children, this entrance can be considerably narrower and can be a challenge in effectively clearing mucus and ensuring smooth airflow.

How a Nasal Aspirator Works

A nasal aspirator is a small suction device. It is specifically designed to physically remove any mucus that’s built up in a baby’s nose. When excess mucus is removed, this clears up the airways and helps babies breathe more easily. The removed mucus is collected in a separate chamber and can be disposed of hygienically and safely.

An example of an electric nasal aspirator is the Evenflo QuickAction Electric Nasal Aspirator. This cleverly designed device offers relief to your little one by relieving a baby's congested nose. It's USB rechargeable, providing consistent suction that's gentle enough to keep your baby comfortable, but effective enough to clear their nasal passages.