Correct use of nose drops

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Nose drops have been prescribed for you and it is important that they are used correctly or the benefit will be lost. If the head is just tilted backwards, the drops will run back along the floor of the nose into the throat, and have no effect on the nose at all.

The correct way is to tilt the head forward so that the nostrils are pointing up at the ceiling. In this way, even in a very blocked nose, gravity and sniffing will take the drops up to the tops of the nose. Alternatively a child may find it easier to bend backwards over a bed or couch, but again the head must be upside down with the nostrils pointing at the ceiling. Either position needs to be maintained for at least 2 minutes to allow adequate penetration of the drops. For more information- please contact Ambulatory Care (01908) 995 470.