Frequent illness is typical during childhood - especially during the school year. In fact, by October 2022 (just a few short months into the 2022-2023 school year), it was estimated that 48% of children had already gotten sick. Unsurprisingly, the same survey found that 63% of parents were worried about their kids catching the flu, while 70% were worried about COVID-19.
Many parents encourage their children to wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitizer and follow other healthy practices. But as research shows, these may not be the only solutions that can help reduce the risk for illness.
As Nathan Jones, founder and CEO of Xlear explains, nasal sprays with xylitol can also help your family stay healthy by washing bacteria and viruses out of the nose. Here's a closer look at how these sprays work, and what they can do for your family.
How Saline Nasal Sprays Work
"Saline nasal sprays are most often used to help alleviate congestion," Jones explains.
"They thin out mucus in the nostrils and remove particulates such as pollen and other airborne pollutants that can cause irritation, inflammation, and discomfort. Traditional saline nasal sprays come premixed in a bottle and provide a metered dose. Simply place the active tip into your nostril and activate the delivery to provide a quick, non-invasive solution to many upper respiratory issues."
Saline nasal sprays are commonly used to address nasal dryness and nosebleeds since they lubricate the nasal passages, though they are also used to relieve symptoms of allergies, sinusitis and cold and flu. Notably, however, as saline nasal sprays wash out airborne particulates, they also have the potential to wash out bacteria and viruses.
Studies surrounding basic saline nasal irrigation have found that they can reduce viral load in nasal cavities, with some research suggesting that daily nasal sprays can help mitigate common cold symptoms. Hypertonic saline nasal irrigation was even found to lower illness duration.
By helping flush out congestion, airborne particulates and even viruses and bacteria, saline nasal sprays can greatly relieve symptoms associated with allergies and illness. Perhaps best of all, because non-prescription saline solutions don't contain drugs, they can safely be used as frequently as needed and in conjunction with other medications.
How Xylitol Products Are Different
While saline nasal treatments have a lengthy history, the use of xylitol in nasal sprays is a newer development. "Xylitol is actually a sugar alcohol that is often used as a sugar substitute," Jones explains.
"You find it in toothpaste, sugar-free chewing gum and many other everyday products. It's an approved food additive that can reduce the potential negative impacts of consuming too much sugar in your diet - but it can also improve the effectiveness of traditional saline nasal spray solutions. Specifically, xylitol has been shown to block bacterial and viral adhesion to human airway tissue."
In one pilot study, using a saline nasal spray containing xylitol was found to help improve symptoms in individuals with chronic sinusitis. Other research has found that nasal sprays containing 1% and 5% xylitol helped inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Staphylococcus - and was even more effective than saline control treatments.
Other health benefits that have been researched in connection with xylitol include improved skin barrier function, constipation relief, improved bone mineral density and more - though many of these areas are still undergoing further research.
What Studies Show About Nasal Spray Effectiveness
Some of the most convincing evidence regarding xylitol use in saline nasal sprays comes from a randomized, double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled study conducted in India during the "delta wave" of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the study, nearly 650 high-risk healthcare workers at two hospitals (one public and one private) were given a nasal spray to use three times a day (or every eight hours) to assess its effectiveness at reducing incidences of COVID-19. Half of the study group was given a nasal spray containing xylitol, while the control group was given a placebo of a standard saline nasal spray.
Interestingly, both study groups saw a reduced incidence of COVID-19 infections in comparison to non-nasal spray users - but the spray containing xylitol was even more effective. The placebo-controlled group using saline only saw a 13% reduction. However, the group using nasal spray containing xylitol actually resulted in 62% fewer infections than the placebo spray.
"One of my biggest takeaways from the study was how over 99% of the study participants remained compliant with the necessary standards for evaluating the study results. Nasal sprays with xylitol can be effective, but only if they are used." Jones says.
"Because the sprays were easy to carry, simple to use and comfortable, it was easy for people to adopt into their daily hygiene routine. Nasal sprays are much easier to add into a daily hygiene routine than most people might expect - and that can make a big difference, since you'll be more likely to use them and benefit from them."
Keep Your Kids Healthy This School Year
There's no 100% foolproof way to keep your kids from getting sick - especially when they go back to school and are exposed to others in classroom settings. But you can take steps to reduce their likelihood of getting sick.
Adding xylitol nasal sprays could be a helpful addition as you try to keep your kids and your whole family healthy during the upcoming cold and flu season. Such sprays can do more than "just" help relieve congestion as you expand your strategies for staying healthy.
