Why Sea Salt is the Most Exciting Product in Kid’s Health This Century

Researchers in Edinburgh recently presented their findings from the ELVIS-Kids study at the 2024 European Respiratory Society Congress. Despite the name, this experiment had nothing to do with the pompadoured King of Swing and everything to do with children’s boogers.

Hypertonic Saline Nasal Solution's Effect on Colds

The ELVIS-Kids investigators examined the effects of a concentrated sea salt water solution (hypertonic saline solution) applied to the nostrils on the duration of children’s respiratory colds. And what they found was astounding, at least to me — your typical tired, run-down, constantly sick mom trying to manage a job, household, and a gaggle of dependents.

Compared to children who received standard cold care, children who received the interventional hypertonic saline solution had, on average, a shorter duration of cold symptoms by a whopping two days! Anyone who’s parented a small child through cold season knows that two days of sickness equals 47 years.

Fewer Germs to Spread Around

What’s more? The duration of cold symptoms was significantly shorter in kids who received the nasal saline solution, and their family members were also less likely to get sick.

Kids who received the hypertonic saline solution passed on fewer germs — fewer days out of school and work, fewer sleepless nights, and fewer bodily fluids gently wiped onto mom’s t-shirt.

It sounds too good to be true, right? But it gets better. According to researchers, the side effects were minimal, and the saline solution can be prepared at home using a simple recipe of boiled water and salt.

There are detailed instructions about measuring carefully, properly cleaning the squeeze bottles, and special considerations for infants, but overall, hypertonic saline nasal solutions are affordable, accessible, and tolerable.

Even easier, manufacturers have already caught wind of these exciting new findings, and you can find hypertonic saline nasal spray in a convenient spray bottle on almost any drug store shelf.

Using Nasal Saline Sprays

Don't confuse hypertonic (concentrated) nasal sprays with normal saline (not concentrated) nasal sprays. Normal saline nose spray or isotonic saline spray (not concentrated) can be used as often as needed to help clear congestion. It's one of our key product recommendations to have on hand to help babies and young kids through illness season.

Hypertonic (concentrated) nasal saline spray effectively lessens cold duration and symptoms, but it should only be used twice daily. It's a safe product with minimal side effects, but overuse could cause drying of the nasal passages and irritation.

I have both products in my medicine box! I purchased two different brands that look distinctly different to lessen the odds of a mix-up.

The Future of Common Cold Treatment

Although this research has not yet been published in a medical journal, it has been presented at prestigious academic meetings and generally received favorable reviews from the medical community.

The general public still has to wait for the research to be published, disseminated, and analyzed and for medical organizations to form their opinions and make official recommendations on how we, the sick parent peons, should proceed with this exciting new information.

But the pre-publication press is causing quite the buzz in the health and parenting worlds. This low-risk intervention seems promising, so I'm comfortable giving it a whirl the next time my kids catch a cold. Get ready for some wet nostrils, kids! (Getting your young child to accept a nasal spray is another story...)

Watch for new cold treatment guidelines, or talk to your family physician. Hopefully, we can soon widely adopt this exciting new treatment for respiratory virus fighting.

Because, my God, my kids have had a combined seven colds already this season, and I really could use some sleep.

Sea salt — the hottest thing to come out of the UK since Prince Harry.

The following references were used to compile this information:

1. ERS 2024 Abstract Cunningham.pdf | Powered by Box. Accessed January 23, 2025. https://ers.app.box.com/s/2m4iity3v3z128m59bk6cn12xuz51dpr

2. Ramalingam S, Graham C, Oatey K, et al. Study protocol of the Edinburgh and Lothian Virus Intervention Study in Kids: a randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nose drops in children with upper respiratory tract infections (ELVIS Kids). BMJ Open. 2021;11(5):e049964. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021–049964

This article has been reviewed by Andrea Morrissey, PharmD, Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist, and Chief Content Officer of Kids Med Guide. The content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical guidance, and call 911 in an emergency.

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