Diprosone nasal lavage

This is steroid nasal irrigation with Diprosone OV cream.

What is it?

Diprosone OV is a cream containing a corticosteroid. It is usually used on the skin but is water soluble and can be used in a saline lavage.

Why is it used?

Chronic rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory condition, similar to asthma in many ways. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications used to control the inflammation of the sinus or lung lining in these conditions.  They are highly effective but when they are used in tablet form they may have significant side effects, especially when used for long periods of time or in high doses.

Direct application of the steroid (topical treatment) allows treatment of the sinus lining while avoiding side effects to the rest of the body, in the same way that asthma inhalers allow treatment of the lung lining.

Effective access to the sinuses is only possible after surgery, as the normal sinus openings are too small. Large volume irrigations such as with the FLO sinus care (or similar) bottles, or Neti Pot are the most effective way to carry medications into the sinuses.

How is it used?

Add 2.5cm of the cream (about the width of a 50c piece) to the wash bottle as well as the usual salt solution. Shake the bottle well and irrigate the nose as usual.