Neti pots push a saline solution through your nasal passage, relieving sinus pressure and removing excess mucus
Using a neti pot may look silly, but these teapot-like contraptions can do wonders for nasal congestion. They’re a quick way to get relief without taking medicine. But if you don’t use neti pots correctly, you could end up making yourself feel worse.
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Ear, nose and throat specialist Raj Sindwani, MD, explains what neti pots are, what they do and how to use one safely.
A neti pot is a device that sends a saline solution (a mixture of salt and water) through your nasal passages, clearing out built-up mucus and trapped allergens.
It may look a bit scary, but Dr. Sindwani says using a neti pot shouldn’t hurt. As long as it’s prepared properly, the sodium in the saltwater solution will reduce inflammation and keep the delicate tissue inside your nose from getting irritated.
Neti pots are a quick and medication-free way to rinse out your nasal passage, reducing congestion and easing the discomfort of allergies, colds, sinus infections and more.
They are beneficial because:
These kettle-like devices may be brimming with benefits, but Dr. Sindwani suggests that you consult with your provider before using them.
Depending on your health, the risks may outweigh the benefits. If you’re immunocompromised or recently had surgery on your nose, for example, share that information with your provider before using a neti pot.
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If you’re using it correctly and following proper cleaning and safety advice, there are few things as refreshing as rinsing your nose out with a neti pot when you feel crummy. Dr. Sindwani breaks down the process.
There are two procedures involved in using a neti pot: preparing the saline solution and flushing out your nasal passage.
It’s common for solution packets to come with your neti pot. You can also buy them online. These are great options, because they make striking the perfect balance between salt and water easy. Adding too much — or not adding enough — can cause irritation.
Dr. Sindwani recommends mixing together:
Now that you have your saline solution prepared, it’s time to team up with gravity! To start:
Take care not to bump the middle part of your nose (septum) while using the neti pot to avoid nosebleeds.
It’s important to clean and disinfect your neti pot thoroughly to avoid infections. Rinse the irrigation device after each use with filtered, distilled or boiled water.
“I recommend using hot water and antibacterial soap to clean your neti pot,” says Dr. Sindwani.
Once it has been thoroughly cleaned, leave the device out to air-dry completely before storing it for future use.
While there are several benefits to using a neti pot, there are important tips to keep in mind to get the best possible results and prevent infection. Dr Sindwani recommends that you:
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As the use of neti pots has grown, so has the range of nasal care tools offering similar treatments. Alternatives include:
If the ideas of putting any water up your nose makes your skin crawl, try humidifiers and steamy showers instead. The relief they offer isn’t as impressive, but it can make nasal congestion a little easier to tolerate.
If you find yourself needing to use your neti pot a lot, it’s time to put it down — and pick up the phone.
“Stop using your neti pot if your symptoms aren’t improving, it hurts to use it or you’re showing signs of infection, like fever or vomiting,” Dr. Sindwani urges. “Those are all signs that the congestion you’re having needs medical attention.”
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