The mucolytics are usually well tolerated with almost no side effects. In higher doses they can cause nausea and, because these drugs act to thin mucus, they can increase fertility in women. While there are no good studies to support this claim, saline sprays are relatively innocuous and inexpensive. They appear to be helpful in some patients, especially those with dryness or crusting as a major symptom. Other sprays, which have various herbal additives, have given some patients relief as well.
Some physicians advocate rinsing the nose with saline or other solutions.
The fluid can be delivered using a rubber bulb or with an attachment to a Water Pik machine. Irrigations can assist in removing thick or dried mucus. Antibiotics are sometimes added to the solution to decrease infection as well. If irrigations are used within the nose, great care should be taken to keep all items as clean as possible. This will prevent introducing new bacteria from the irrigation system into the nose, which can perpetuate an infection.