Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsInstructionsSafety TipsPotential RisksFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Instructions
Safety Tips
Potential Risks
Frequently Asked Questions
This article discusses how to perform a sinus flush safely and the potential risks involved.
Valery Rizzo / Getty Images
How to Perform a Sinus Flush
Nasal irrigationcan be performed using saline (sterile salt and water solution) or a similar sterile solution, and aneti pot, squeeze bottle, bulb syringe, medical syringe, or even a Waterpik oral irrigator.
Many people purchase a kit for nasal irrigation. These kits should come with detailed instructions, and many include a solution mix. Read all the instructions completely before proceeding.
Make sure the tip of your delivery device will fit safely and gently inside your nostril. This is for comfort and also so the fluid will not leak around it or cause any damage to the nostril.
Regardless of the device you are using, you will want to lean over a sink to avoid making a mess.
If you are using a neti pot:
If you are using a squeeze bottle or a medical syringe, follow the same steps, but instead of tipping the neti pot, you will simply squeeze the bottle or push on the syringe plunger to deliver the solution.
A Waterpik requires a special sinus irrigation tip. You should follow the instructions that comes with your device.Do not use a Waterpik if you have had sinus surgery, significant facial trauma, or a history of a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
Adults using the bulb syringe method for nasal irrigation are not using the same type of bulb syringe that is used to clear an infant’s nose. The type of syringe needed is called an ear syringe, as it is typically used to remove earwax. It can usually be purchased at local pharmacies and should come with instructions.
You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to demonstrate how the syringe is used. The procedure is the same as with other devices, in that you will flush the inside of the nasal passageways until the solution comes out of the opposite nostril.
Don’t Be Concerned If . . .Some solutions may sting a little bit, but most people who perform nasal irrigation regularly get used to this. Do not worry if you accidentally swallow small amounts of the solution.
Don’t Be Concerned If . . .
Some solutions may sting a little bit, but most people who perform nasal irrigation regularly get used to this. Do not worry if you accidentally swallow small amounts of the solution.
There are some safety tips to keep in mind when irrigating your nasal passageways, including:
What Not to DoWhen performing a sinus flush, remember the following:Do not use very hot or very cold water.Do not use tap water.Do not insert the device too far up your nose.
What Not to Do
When performing a sinus flush, remember the following:Do not use very hot or very cold water.Do not use tap water.Do not insert the device too far up your nose.
When performing a sinus flush, remember the following:
While the risk is extremely low, it is possible to developNaegleria fowleriinfection from nasal irrigation.Naegleria fowleriis an amoeba that eats brain tissue. It must enter the body through the nose and is typically fatal.
Naegleria fowleriis found in contaminated fresh water, so this infection would only occur if it was in the water you used to perform the nasal irrigation.This is why it’s essential to use sterile water or saline as opposed to tap water, which can introduce harmful substances.
This is not the only type of infection that may occur from nasal irrigation, so it’s incredibly important to clean your equipment and use a sterile solution.
You may be more likely to get an infection if you have had facial trauma or do not have an intact nasal cavity from birth or because of injury or surgery. You should talk to your healthcare provider before doing a sinus flush if you have any of these conditions.
You should also consult with your healthcare provider if you have an impaired immune system.
Frequent Bloody NosesIf you are prone tobloody noses, it’s possible that the insertion of the nasal irrigation device and disruption to the tissue of the nasal passageways may result in a bloody nose.
Frequent Bloody Noses
If you are prone tobloody noses, it’s possible that the insertion of the nasal irrigation device and disruption to the tissue of the nasal passageways may result in a bloody nose.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
If you suffer from clogged nasal passageways, you may be looking for relief. You can perform nasal irrigation at home to help relieve discomfort and remove germs and debris. Make sure you follow all the instructions carefully to ensure you are doing it properly and consult a healthcare provider, if needed.
You will find many recipes online for solutions used in nasal irrigation. The most important factor is that you use sterile water, distilled water, saline, or recently boiled water that has cooled. Consult with your healthcare provider before deciding what solution to use, as the concentration of salt may influence how effective the procedure is.
Unless the instructions on your device recommend another method, clean your device with dish soap and warm water. Dry the device as thoroughly as possible with a clean paper towel and then allow it to air dry.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
National Jewish Health.Nasal wash treatment.
Principi N, Esposito S.Nasal irrigation: an imprecisely defined medical procedure.IJERPH. 14(5):516. doi:10.3390/ijerph14050516
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
