Why you need to be cautious when using a neti pot!
Did you know that according to the FDA, the improper use of a neti pot can lead to the development of potentially fatal infections?
Neti pots look like mini-tea pots and are used to clean the sinuses. Improper use of the neti pots is relatively common. Tap water generally has small amount of bacteria, protozoa and other microorganisms, including amoebas. None of these should not go into our nasal passages. If they do, they can remain there, alive, and eventually cause serious infections. I found at least one report directly linking the improper use of a neti pot to the death of a woman from a brain-eating bacteria called Naegleria fowleri. (source) Yikes! Personally, I own and use a neti pot.
Here is how you should use it to avoid serious infections:
- Clean the neti pot with warm soap and water.
- Use only sterile or distilled water, boiled tap water (it must be boiled for three to five minutes, and then allowed to cool down) or water that has gone through a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron maximum. If you choose to use boiled water, you can store it in a clean container with a lid for no more than 24 hours.
- Lean over a sink.
- Tilt your head to one side so that your forehead and chin are at approximately the same level, this prevents water getting into your mouth
- Once you are in position you should now only be breathing out of your mouth.
- Place the spout into your upper nostril and pour the solution so that it drains through the lower nostril.
- Blow your nose (clear your nostrils) and do it again on the other side.
This whole process is not difficult if done correctly. There are many benefits to using a neti pot, I LOVE it!
Benefits of using a neti pot:
- Washes away pollen and allergens..
- Relieves dry nasal passages.
- Enhances removal of mucus from the sinuses and nasal passages
What do you think? Will you or won’t you?
My husband had nasal surgery & the doctor recommended a water pick attachment that we have found is easier for us to use than the neti pot. We only use distilled water. Helps so much with relief from allergies, and any colds end sooner for us now.
Interesting! I’ll have to tell my Dad about that!
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I swear by my Neti pot when I’m having sinus problems, but there are several reports that suggest (and my own personal experience), that using a Neti pot more than twice per day is linked to an increase in sinus infections.
did you accidentally have soap residue between nasal lavages?
No.
@Kara, I saw the image of the neti pot with what i assumed was table salt.My question is, iss adding at least a small amount of table salt to the water in the neti pot usual? I would imagine the salt would kill the microbial contaminants that got past the distilling or micron filters. I just remember getting dunked in the ocean and the salt water from the ocean burning. I would think that was because of the high salinity and sea life in the oceans water.I would also think the salt would act as an electrolyte assisting with healing your nasal passages like how the dentist always suggests rinsing your pulled teeth mouth out with hot as you can tolerate salt water. I suppose i clicked on the link to your article to see what your articles thoughts on salt was.
I’ve used sea salt in the neti pot before with good results.