This past pandemic year, we’ve become even more aware of how we’re affected by the air we breathe. Whether we’re sitting inches away from another airplane passenger, in a place choked with exhaust or affected by wildfires, or just hanging out at a bar, we breathe in millions and millions of particles.
Some of us use neti pots in challenging times (even if only during flu and cold season), but it’s not always easy to travel with a neti pot. I’ve even accidentally broken a couple on my travels. That’s why I wanted to test out the new Fend personal airway hygiene system.
The system includes a calcium-enriched saline solution that you add to a mister device, which creates particles in mist form that you inhale through your nose. It feels a little like the sense you get when you use a humidifier. When you inhale the saline solution mist deeply, it can help your upper airways capture and eliminate airborne contaminants before they reach your lungs.
The mist particles from the solution are smaller than what a nasal spray bottle creates, enabling the solution to stick to the mucus lining in your nose, trachea, and main bronchi, which are just at the top of our upper airways.
The mister measures about 4.5 inches high by about 2.5 inches wide, so is easy to tuck into your carry-on bag. The bottles of solution holds .5 fluid ounces, so it’s possible to include a bottle in your plastic bag of approved liquids to carry onto your flights. To use, add solution to the mister, hold the device 2-3 inches from your nose, turn the mister on so it produces a cloud near your nasal passages, breathe deeply and slowly for 2-3 inhalations.
The Fend complete kit lists for $59.95 and includes a reusable Fend mister, one bottle of the Fend solution, and two AAA batteries. Each bottle contains approximately 125 uses.