Essential Guide on How to Clean a Bulb Syringe Effectively

Having an upper respiratory infection in the winter is common among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 6,000 to 27,000 children below the age of 5 are hospitalized yearly in the US due to flu-like complications. These are often accompanied by issues like a stuffy nose, difficulty in breathing, and irritation. As a mucus removal as well as a respiratory assisting tool, the use of a bulb syringe is recommended. However new parents often ask questions like how to use the product properly or how to clean a bulb syringe to avoid infections.

In this article, let us answer the question of how to clean a bulb syringe as a step-by-step guide has been compiled for new moms and caregivers who are using the product for the first time.

What is a Bulb Syringe?

A bulb syringe is a small, rubber, and plastic-based medical device used to remove the mucus from the baby’s nose. The device works by creating a suctioning effect that pulls the mucus within the bulb of the syringe thus relieving nasal congestion.

How to Use a Bulb Syringe?

Using a bulb syringe is an easy process which involves the following steps:

• Lay your baby on a bed or in the crib on their back. Tilt their head in a way chin is pointed towards you.
• Take the store-bought or previously prepared nasal saline drops.
• Using a nose dropper, put 3 to 4 drops of saline nose drops in one nostril of the child.
• Wait for one minute as the saline drops thin the mucus so that the bulb syringe can suck it.
• Take a previously cleaned or new bulb syringe. Put your thumb on its bulb and release the air.
• Gently insert the tip of the bulb syringe into your child’s nose.
• Make sure to seal the nostril with the syringe tip.
• Slowly release the bulb to generate suction. This will automatically pull the mucus into the bulb syringe.
• Gently remove the mucus-filled bulb syringe out of the nostril.
• Take a tissue and put it below the bulb syringe tip.
• Squeeze the bulb and collect the mucus in the tissue.
• Repeat the same procedure with the other nostril as well until the stuffy nose is opened.

How to Clean a Bulb Syringe?

Bulb syringes come in both disposable as well as reusable options. In the latter, there is a need to clean the medical device after every use to prevent the risk of infections. Therefore, the following section addresses the question of how to clean a bulb syringe by presenting a step-by-step guide:

Cleaning with Distilled/Sterilized Water

• Take distilled water. If distilled water is not available, you can also use sterilized water that is prepared by boiling tap water for 1 to 3 minutes followed by cooling at room temperature.
• Take the used bulb syringe and place the tip in water. Release the pressure from the bulb. It will help water rise into the bulb syringe.
• Gently shake the syringe gently so that the inner side of the product gets thoroughly cleaned with water.
• Empty the contents of the bulb syringe.
• Place the syringe in a clean and empty glass in a way that its tip is facing downwards. This will help drain the remaining water and mucus remnants.

Cleaning with Rubbing Alcohol

• For cleaning a bulb syringe, the use of alcohol is also recommended while learning how to clean a bulb syringe.
• For this purpose, put the bulb syringe in rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol).
• Shake the syringe so that the alcohol can collect the remaining waste that didn’t previously dissolve in water. In addition, rubbing alcohol helps clear out the bacteria in the syringe.
• Empty the contents of the syringe.
• Once again, place the syringe tip down in an empty glass and let it drain. Do not store the bub syringe until completely dry.
• Wash your hands with soapy water thoroughly to remove any bacteria. Keep this step in mind while learning how to clean a bulb syringe.

Cleaning with Soapy Water

• While learning how to clean a bulb syringe, keep in mind that if rubbing alcohol is not available, you can also use warm soapy water to clean the bulb syringe.
• Take cold water and dissolve soap in it.
• Dip the bulb syringe tip in the soapy water and fill the bulb.
• Shake it well to remove the mucus thoroughly.
• Squeeze the bulb to clear it out.
• Repeat the process three times so that the bulb becomes as clean as possible.
• Now, empty the bowl with soapy water and fill it with hot water.
• Again, fill the bulb syringe and empty it thrice.
• Stand the bulb syringe in an empty and clean glass to let it drain.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following section covers some of the frequently asked questions while learning how to clean a bulb syringe.

1.      How to prepare saline nose drops at home?

Saline nose drops are easy to prepare at home and should be learned while learning how to clean a bulb syringe. You just need to follow the given steps:

• Take 8 ounces (oz.) of tap water and heat it until boiled.
• Remove the boiling water from the stove and place it at room temperature to let it cool down.
• Take this warm water and add ¼ leveled teaspoons of non-iodized table salt (sodium chloride) to it.
• Mix well and store in a clean jar.
• Use within 3 days. Remember to make fresh solutions at least once a week.

2.      How to Store a Bulb Syringe?

Once the use of a bulb syringe is done, you should clean it thoroughly using any of the given methods. Then, boil your syringe in hot water for 10 minutes to sterilize it. This will prevent the mold and bacteria from building up in the syringe during the storage period. Let the syringe become dry. Store it in a cool and dry place. Always remember to follow this step while learning how to clean a bulb syringe.

3.      Can the use of bulb syringes harm my baby?

Once you know how to use and how to clean a bulb syringe in the right way, their use becomes easy and safer. Always follow the instructions carefully to minimize the risk of any damage to the baby. Remember to limit suctioning pressure as high pressure can irritate the baby’s mucus membranes. Also, always gently place the tip of the bulb syringe in the nasal cavity, never force it.

4.      Can my baby get an infection because of a bulb syringe?

Yes, if the bulb syringe is not clean enough, it can become a source of bacteria and other microbes. As a result, your baby can get infected and become ill. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to clean a bulb syringe using warm water.

In addition, you should also gently wipe the baby’s nose after using a bulb syringe to avoid skin irritation. Moreover, washing your hands preferably with warm soapy water is also advised to reduce the risk of infections.

5.      Why is my baby vomiting after using a bulb syringe?

While learning how to clean a bulb syringe, remember that if you use a bulb syringe on your baby after feeding, there is a higher risk of vomiting. Therefore, doctors recommend using the product before feeding your baby.

Bulb Syringes at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

A bulb syringe is a product that helps suck the mucus out of the baby’s nostrils and ease the breathing process. These syringes are easy to use and maintain. While learning how to clean a bulb syringe, it is essential to keep in mind the procedure described in the above sections.

As bulb syringes are high in demand, many of their brands are available in the US market. Some of these bulb syringes are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:

DYND20125 Sterile Bulb Irrigation Syringe

Product Details

DYND20125 Sterile bulb irrigation syringes by Medline are one of the top-quality products in this domain. These are constructed using medical-grade plastic which is strong and sturdy. However, the bulb of the syringe is made up of latex-free rubber. While learning how to clean a bulb syringe, these products should be given preference as it is easy to rinse them due to their shape and design.

These DYND20125 sterile bulb irrigation syringes also provide full control of the expelled volume as well as the suctioning process. The product is also non-slip and thus offers a stronger grip. This way, the risk of an injury due to accidental slippage of the bulb syringe during usage is minimized.

Moreover, these DYND20125 sterile bulb irrigation syringes are also sterile and come with a Tyvek lid in flexible packaging. Their reliability can be estimated by the fact that these are being employed in many clinical setups as well.

143 Disposable Ear/Ulcer Bulb Syringe, Sterile, Green, 3 oz, CS50

US$76.66

Product Details

143 Disposable ear/ulcer bulb syringes are a product of Busse Hospital Disposables. These are sterile bulb syringes that come in bluish-green and have no markings on them. However, the presence of a pronounced ribbed design on the bulb is ensured by the manufacturer.

These ridges increase the grip of the user on the syringe and therefore render its use highly comfortable. The capacity of these 143 Disposable ear/ulcer bulb syringes is up to 3 ounces (oz.). When it comes to learning how to clean a bulb syringe, these products are often preferred as they are easy to squeeze and can be subjected to boiling as well.

The construction material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which makes these 143 Disposable ear/ulcer bulb syringes soft yet long-lasting. However, this particular product is disposable and has been designed for single use only.

Moreover, the products also come with tapered tips to enhance the suction power. Owing to this feature, these syringes can be used for both irrigation as well as aspiration purposes. In addition, the flat bottom allows the syringe to hold itself when placed on a flat surface.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over tme.

The bulb syringes mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of products for babies.

Conclusion

A bulb syringe is a device that helps clear out mucus from your baby’s nose so that they can breathe better. Bulb syringes are plastic and rubber-based products that are easy to use and handle. Apart from knowing the proper way of using them, it is also essential to learn how to clean a bulb syringe.

After all, a thoroughly cleaned bulb syringe does not cause infections in babies and thus keeps them safe. In this regard, the use of soapy water, distilled water, or rubbing alcohol is recommended. Once you learn how to clean a bulb syringe by following the above-mentioned method, its use will further become easy for you especially if you are a first-time mother.

As these bulb syringes are needed in every household, many brands make and market these products. For purchasing different kinds of medical devices after learning how to clean a bulb syringe, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/risk-factors/young-children.html