What saline should you use when nebulizing?

For frequent use and with kids I prefer .9% isotonic solution. This is very well tolerated, moisturizing and soothing to irritated tissues. You can use as often as you’d like.

We have also used 3% which is a hypertonic solution meaning it’s more concentrated in salt and pulls moisture out of the cells towards the solution. In this case it would pull moisture into the unproductive mucous, thin it out and cause coughing to be expelled.

3% in not ideal for babies or young children or sensitive individuals who can’t handle expelling lots of mucous.

We have used both successfully, but each have a time and place.

7%-9% is very salty compared to our body. I don’t recommend using, especially if you have nebulized before. This will aggressively draw moisture into the airway to thin mucous and stimulate coughing. Used in conditions like cystic fibrosis.