Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsInstructionsSide EffectsRisk of Infection
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Instructions
Side Effects
Risk of Infection
The neti pot has been used for centuries as part of traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda). While it may seem intimidating, neti pot instructions are easy to follow, and some claim that it offers significant benefits, treating nasal symptoms without drugs.
What Is a Neti Pot?
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The Best Neti Pots for Sinus Relief
Neti Pot Benefits
When used correctly, neti pots are a safe and effective way to clear your sinuses and nasal passages. If you’recongested from a coldor experience allergies, a neti pot can help to provide symptom relief.They can help you feel better but won’t cure congestion or a cold.
While generally safe, they must be used with an appropriate saline solution, or you could experience a significant infection.
Neti pots can alsoreduce post‐nasal dripin those with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.
While a neti pot can provide short-term relief, it might not be as effective as other treatment options forchronic rhinosinusitiswith nasal polyps. Large-volume saline irrigation with at least 150mL provided more benefits than a placebo in these cases. However, the effectiveness of saline irrigation, such as with a neti pot, began to decrease at three and six months.
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Neti Pot Instructions
Nasal irrigationkits are widely available in stores, but you can also make your own saltwater rinse as long as you use sterile water and equipment. If you don’t have a neti pot, you can perform nasal irrigation with a nasal bulb syringe.
You can safelyirrigate your noseone to two times a day.
Ingredients
The following ratio of salt, water, and baking soda is recommended forsaline nasal rinsesin adults:
Using Safe WaterUse sterile, distilled, or boiled and cooled water for nasal rinses. If you purchase water, the label will indicate whether it is distilled or sterile.If boiling, boil the water for at least three to five minutes and let it cool before using. Use the boiled water within 24 hours and store it in a clean container with a cover.
Using Safe Water
Use sterile, distilled, or boiled and cooled water for nasal rinses. If you purchase water, the label will indicate whether it is distilled or sterile.If boiling, boil the water for at least three to five minutes and let it cool before using. Use the boiled water within 24 hours and store it in a clean container with a cover.
Use sterile, distilled, or boiled and cooled water for nasal rinses. If you purchase water, the label will indicate whether it is distilled or sterile.
If boiling, boil the water for at least three to five minutes and let it cool before using. Use the boiled water within 24 hours and store it in a clean container with a cover.
How to Make Your Own Nasal Rinse
Steps to Irrigating Your Sinuses
A neti pot is relatively simple to use but can take time to adjust to. Some people find the sensation unsettling and unpleasant; others view it as cleansing and restorative. Toperform nasal irrigationwith a neti pot:
3 Easy Ways to Rinse Your Sinuses
Using a neti pot can cause the sensation of ear fullness, which may result inear painfor some.A neti pot can also cause fluid to drain down the back of your throat, causing a cough. Pouring the water more slowly may help alleviate these issues.
Other side effects include nasal burning, stinging, andnose bleeds. If you experience these side effects, reducing the salt content in your saline solution may help.
When you drink tap water, your stomach acid kills any amoebas (e.g.,Naegleria fowleri) present in the tap water. However, if they get up your nose, they can migrate to your brain and cause a severe infection. Other bacteria and protozoa may bepresent in tap waterand cause infection if used in nasal irrigation.
To reduce the risk of infection, never use tap water or water from any natural source. Ensure your water is either distilled, sterile, or boiled for three to five minutes and cooled before use.
Symptoms of Infection
If you experience symptoms such as pain, nosebleeds, headaches, or a fever after using a saline rinse, contact a healthcare provider for advice.Sometimes, adjusting the salt content can help reduce any pain or nosebleeds associated with neti pot use. However, aheadacheor fever may be symptomatic of an infection.
Tap water should never be used for nasal irrigation as it may contain low levels of microorganisms—such as bacteria andprotozoa—that are neutralized in the stomach but not in nasal passages. Introducing these into a nostril can lead to potentially serious infections.
Is It Safe to Do Nasal Irrigation Yourself?
Summary
Neti pots are available in many natural food stores and some drugstores. They’re also widely available for purchase online.
If you’re considering using a neti pot for a health concern, consult your healthcare provider first. Your provider may be able to provide instructions on how to safely perform nasal irrigation or offer alternative treatments for your condition.
How to Clear Congestion With a Sinus Rinse
How to Treat a Dry Nose
10 SourcesVerywell 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?Piromchai P, Puvatanond C, Kirtsreesakul V, Chaiyasate S, Suwanwech T.A multicenter survey on the effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices in rhinosinusitis patients.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol.2020;5(6):1003-1010.Chong LY, Head K, Hopkins C, et al.Saline irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD011995. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011995.pub2UpToDate.How to perform nasal irrigation.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.American Family Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949.Pipera KJ, Foster H, Susanto D, et al.FatalBalamuthia mandrillarisbrain infection associated with improper nasal lavage.Int Infect Dis.2018 Dec;77:18-22. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2018.09.013MedlinePlus.Saline nasal washes.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
10 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?Piromchai P, Puvatanond C, Kirtsreesakul V, Chaiyasate S, Suwanwech T.A multicenter survey on the effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices in rhinosinusitis patients.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol.2020;5(6):1003-1010.Chong LY, Head K, Hopkins C, et al.Saline irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD011995. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011995.pub2UpToDate.How to perform nasal irrigation.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.American Family Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949.Pipera KJ, Foster H, Susanto D, et al.FatalBalamuthia mandrillarisbrain infection associated with improper nasal lavage.Int Infect Dis.2018 Dec;77:18-22. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2018.09.013MedlinePlus.Saline nasal washes.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
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?Piromchai P, Puvatanond C, Kirtsreesakul V, Chaiyasate S, Suwanwech T.A multicenter survey on the effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices in rhinosinusitis patients.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol.2020;5(6):1003-1010.Chong LY, Head K, Hopkins C, et al.Saline irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD011995. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011995.pub2UpToDate.How to perform nasal irrigation.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.American Family Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949.Pipera KJ, Foster H, Susanto D, et al.FatalBalamuthia mandrillarisbrain infection associated with improper nasal lavage.Int Infect Dis.2018 Dec;77:18-22. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2018.09.013MedlinePlus.Saline nasal washes.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
Piromchai P, Puvatanond C, Kirtsreesakul V, Chaiyasate S, Suwanwech T.A multicenter survey on the effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices in rhinosinusitis patients.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol.2020;5(6):1003-1010.
Chong LY, Head K, Hopkins C, et al.Saline irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD011995. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011995.pub2
UpToDate.How to perform nasal irrigation.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.
Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.American Family Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.
Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al.Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):940-949.
Pipera KJ, Foster H, Susanto D, et al.FatalBalamuthia mandrillarisbrain infection associated with improper nasal lavage.Int Infect Dis.2018 Dec;77:18-22. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2018.09.013
MedlinePlus.Saline nasal washes.
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