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Saline Nasal Washing

To make your own nasal rinse solution mix:

  • 1/3 teaspoon non-iodized table salt
  • Pinch of baking soda
  • 8 ounces of distilled or otherwise sterilized water. Water should be "baby bottle warm" in temperature.

Directions for washing:

  • Wash your hands. Gently blow your nose if necessary before beginning nasal rinsing.
  • Pour above solution into 8 oz. (adult size) or 4 oz (pediatric size) nasal rinse bottle, or Neti Pot.
  • Stand in front of the sink and tilt your head slightly down as to look at your toes. You may also do this in the shower.
  • Keep your mouth open and do not hold your breath. Gently place the nasal rinse bottle slightly into your nose (no more than ¼ inch).
  • GENTLY squeeze the nasal rinse bottle. GENTLY wash one nostril then the other nostril. You can use 2 to 4 oz. in each nostril. Nasal washings will hurt if you squeeze the bottle too hard.
  • DO NOT swallow the solution.
  • After you have completed the nasal washing, GENTLY blow your nose. DO NOT pinch your nose completely to blow because this will put too much pressure on your eardrum. 8. Pour out any solution you did not use. Rinse the bottle with hot water. Let it air dry.
  • Pour out any solution you did not use. Rinse the bottle with hot water. Let it air dry.
  • After rinsing, it is recommended to wait 30-60 minutes prior to placing any prescription nasal spray into the nose.

Nasal washing may be done multiple times a day but at least once daily as a general rule.

Do not rinse your nasal passages if they are completely blocked, if you have an ear infection or if your ears feel blocked. Stop nasal rinsing if you have any increased pressure or discomfort in your ears.

Recent News

Very High Allergy Alert Issued for Tree Pollen 10-13-2026
Jake Strickbine
/ Categories: News

Very High Allergy Alert Issued for Tree Pollen 10-13-2026

Very High Tree Pollen Levels

ALLERGY ALERT - VERY HIGH LEVELS of Tree Pollen Detected for 10/13/2026

Oklahoma City has the HIGHEST TREE POLLEN LEVELS in the U.S. today

VERY HIGH RANGE: TREE POLLEN COUNTS ARE AT VERY HIGH LEVELS on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026

TREE POLLEN has risen into the VERY HIGH RANGE today. This is an extreme exposure situation. Severe symptoms may be expected in tree pollen sensitive individuals. More seriously allergic persons should be advised to stay indoors as much as possible. This is especially true if a person has tree pollen sensitivity or allergic bronchial asthma.

Elm Tree Pollen (Lacebark, or Chinese Elm and Cedar Elm) is detected and is the VERY HIGH RANGE. Additionally, WEED POLLEN (Ragweed) and MOLD levels are in the HIGH RANGE, at some of the highest levels in the U.S., according the to the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) data.

Central Oklahoma experiences a second elm pollen season from late August into October, thanks largely to fall-pollinating elm varieties including cedar elm and lacebark or Chinese elm, affecting thousands of people across the Oklahoma region, triggering allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever”, as fall tree species begin pollinating.  These pollen grains can be carried hundreds of miles due to windy conditions.

For More Information -

The best way to combat these allergens is to stay in filtered air. OAAC’s board-certified allergists recommend avoiding allergy triggers as the best way to reduce symptoms. These avoidance tactics include:

  • Limit outdoor activities during days with high pollen counts.
  • Keep windows closed (at home or in the car) to keep pollen out.
  • Don’t wear your outdoor work clothes in the house; they may have pollen on them.
  • Take a shower after coming indoors. Otherwise, pollen in your hair may bother you all night.
  • Leave shoes outside or just inside the door so that you don’t track pollen inside your home.
  • Wash your hands often. Pollen can stick to your hands when you touch something outside or a pet if it has been outside.
  • Wear a dust mask that people like carpenters use (found in hardware stores) when you need to do outdoor tasks such as raking leaves.
  • Clean and replace furnace and air conditioner filters often. Using HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters is recommended, which remove at least 99 percent of pollen, as well as animal dander, dust, and other particles.

Some other options include medications like nasal sprays and antihistamines, but it needs to be the correct medicine and should be used continuously throughout the season.

It is important to remember that seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever”) cannot be diagnosed by history alone. A board-certified allergist can diagnose allergies and determine the specific triggers that cause them through simple tests. The board-certified allergists at OAAC evaluate and manage patients of all ages from throughout the southwest region of the United States. The main clinic is on the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center campus, south of the state capitol in Oklahoma City.  For patient convenience, satellite offices are also located in Edmond, Norman, and northwest Oklahoma City.

For more information about allergic rhinitis (“hay fever”), visit: https://oklahomaallergy.com/services/allergic-rhinitis/

For more information about Fall Allergies in Oklahoma, visit: https://oklahomaallergy.com/Blog/fall-allergies-in-oklahoma-whats-making-you-miserable-1

Daily Pollen Counts for Weed, Grass and Tree pollen, as well as Mold levels can be found at: https://oklahomaallergy.com/allergy-report/

Visit the OAAC website at www.oklahomaallergy.com to view the addresses for all Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic locations.  To make an initial appointment for an allergy, asthma, or immunology problem or to request more information, please call (405) 235-0040 or visit the website.

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