Nasal Saline Irrigation

Congested sinuses can certainly make an unpleasant dent in well-being. This flu season has hit people square in the nose across the US. Outside of prescription medication and over the counter pain relief, is there anything to relieve sinus pressure to feel better? Yes! Saline irrigation!

Perhaps you have heard of nasal saline irrigation. Rinsing out the sinus passages involves inserting a warm saline solution into each nostril while bent over a sink. The water flows into one nostril and out through the other, removing nostril debris in its wake. Pun intended.


Saline irrigation has been used as a homeopathic aid in reducing pressurized mucus causing inflammation. In relieving congestion, inflammatory pain may be lessened. According to Benjamin S. Bleier, MD (2015), "This may result from helping to nose to remove small particles, bacteria, and viruses which can cause allergy and inflammation" (para 3).

Neti Pot

There are many devices in the marketplace which serve as nasal irrigation delivery devices. I chose the widely advertised neti pot. The neti pot resembles a small teapot with a nostril-sized spout. It is made from biodegradable material to be filled with 1/4 tsp. Kosher or sea salt dissolved in 16 ounces of warm, distilled water. How often it is to be used is based on your symptoms and severity. It is always advisable to check with your physician to determine frequency of use.

It is important to underscore that safety is of serious concern with nasal saline irrigation. There have been two cases of deaths resulting from the use of tap water in neti pots. Bleier (2015, para. 5) writes:

In the past 5 years, there have been news reports of 2 patients dying from encephalitis(a brain infection) resulting from exposure to Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that is common in rivers and lakes. These patients had used neti pots with tap water which subsequently tested positive for this amoeba species. It should be noted that these cases are extremely rare and resulted from contamination of local tap water which is not common in a municipally treated water supply. However, appropriate caution should be used when selecting a water source for irrigation and boiled, distilled, or appropriately filtered water are recommended. 

I prefer to purchase distilled  water for use in nasal irrigation. Not only is the water source important, but cleaning the implement of irrigation is equally necessary to kill bacteria contamination after use.

According to a Cleveland Clinic 2014 Health Essentials article, cleaning the device is imperative. In referencing Head of the Section of Rhinology, Sinus and Skull Base in Cleveland Clinic’s Head & Neck Institute, Raj Sindwani, MD (2014), recommends "using hot water and antibacterial soap to clean your neti pot every day" (para 11).

I decided to try the neti pot today as I have been down for the count with the flu, despite my annual vaccination. I found it akin to the experience of getting pool water up my nose as a kid. Not exactly fun, but the relief that followed was rather lovely.

There was a slight burning & dryness around and inside my nostrils. I opted to use a light coating of sterile water based lubricant to ease the discomfort. A petroleum based topical is not a wise option as the healing properties of oxygen cannot permeate to mucous membrane. Further, the impenetrable base may trap and hence multiply bacteria. As a phlebotomist and former professional body piercer, this is part of my education in infection control and healing difficult piercings.

Misting Unit

I would be shortchanging the story if I did not add that I found added relief in adding a cool misting device to re-hydrate the dry indoor clime. This unit is has the added ambiance of muted light changing cycles. I prefer blue at night for some reason.

As with the neti pot, I use distilled water. I also add a spritz of colloidal silver to the misting unit. As with the neti pot, it is necessary to clean out the device to prevent bacterial growth.

My wellness feels more in balance! 

Have you tried the neti pot? Would you like to share your experience?

Works Cited

Bleier, Benjamin S., MD. "Nasal/Sinus Irrigation." Nasal/Sinus Irrigation. American Rhinologic Society , 17 Feb. 2015. Web. 27 Jan. 2017.

Nurses, Cancer Answer, et al. “Safe Neti pot use: 3 tips - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic.” Cold & Flu. Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 Jan. 2017.


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