Nasal aspirators are used to remove mucus from the nose, with bulb syringes being the simplest and cheapest option. Other options include tube-type aspirators and battery-powered ones, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to use them gently and carefully to avoid irritating the baby’s nose.
Nasal aspirators are devices used to suck mucus out of the nose. They are typically used for people who cannot delete this material, such as children or others with mobility issues or limited understanding. Most vacuum cleaners are marketed for use around children, are easy to find at baby supply stores, and come in many shapes and varieties.
The simplest of the nasal aspirators is a bulb syringe, which has a squeezable bulb attached to a narrow neck with an opening. A squeeze of the bulb results in a reverse action, where as the bulb fills with air it has a vacuum-like effect. When gently inserted into a small part of a child’s nose, it can suck up some mucus, helping to relieve some amount of nasal congestion.
Another fairly simple variant of nasal aspirators looks like a long narrow tube. One end of the tube is placed a small amount into the child’s nose and the other end is placed into the mouth of the person helping the child. By inhalation of the helper, aspiration of the nose occurs. The mucus doesn’t end up in the keeper’s mouth. There are filters along the way that pick it up instead. However, people can be a little picky about using these particular nasal aspirators, although they are popular.
Those who want to avoid the problem of aspiration from a tube and those who don’t like bulb syringes could opt for battery-powered aspirators. They look a bit like ear thermometers, but come with a small collection unit for nasal secretions that can be easily washed. They tend to be more expensive than other mucus collection devices. The bulb syringe is clearly the cheapest option at around $3-4 US Dollars (USD), but the other types are still cheap at around $20 USD or less.
There can be advantages and disadvantages to various types of nasal aspirators. Many people dismiss the bulb syringe as an unworthy collection device because it’s difficult to clean. Most syringes are not dishwasher safe and can be difficult to fill with water. It is best to use the squeezing action to bring very hot, soapy water into the bulb. It may help to repeat this process several times or let the bulb sit with warm water and vinegar. If in doubt about cleanliness, consider replacing the syringe.
Many people appreciate the easy-to-pick up aspects of battery-powered units, and others praise tube-type nasal aspirators as the most effective. In all cases, an aspirator should provide gentle suction, and they can occasionally irritate the nose and cause a little bleeding. If this occurs, suction attempts should stop until a doctor gives them permission to continue. The baby’s nose is very sensitive and needs careful treatment.
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