Neti Pot Faqs
Welcome to our frequently asked questions area. Please feel free to browse the questions below for your answer, or if you wish, you may Submit Your Question Here.
How often can you use the neti pot?
You can safely use the neti pot up to four (4) times daily. This can be done as a scheduled routine or after you know you have been exposed to known allergens, etc. that can cause you problems. An example would be rinsing your sinuses after mowing. Click the following link to find out more about using the neti pot
How to clean a Neti Pot
Cleaning a neti pot is very important. We have provided a detailed guide here: Cleaning a Neti Pot
When the flow of water begins I experience a pain in my head and eye. even when the water begins to flow out the nostril, the pain continues. Any idea of what is causing this problem?
Thanks for the question.Here are some ideas to try to help with your problem.
- Be sure you are using the proper salt mixture. This should be an Isotonic mixture and not contain any sorts of additives if you are a new user of the neti pot.
- Make sure that the water you use is not hyper-chlorinated. Straight tap water can be used for the rinse as long as the chlorine content is not too high. If you have any doubts, then use distilled water.
- Make sure that the water you are using is warm enough...if the water is too cool it will cause discomfort.
- If the pain is isolated to one side then it is likely that you have an area that is inflamed and is sensitive to the saline mixture.
Give this a try if the pain is isolated to one side. Take a small amount of warm milk and pour it into the nostril on that side. Do not try to wash all the way through the nose...just let the warm milk stay for a few seconds and then allow it to drain out.
Repeat the process a few times, each time letting the milk stay in place for a few seconds. Once this is done gently blow the nose and drain out any excess milk.
Use the milk for about (3) times per week for 2 weeks. The milk can help soothe and irrigate areas that are sensitive to saline. Do not use milk on a regular basis. The idea here is to substitute it for saline until your sinuses can tolerate salt.
After the two weeks, you can then retry a saline formula. Do not use salt products that have baking soda...this may be already mixed into your salt product or you may be adding it. Baking soda has been known to cause discomfort for some users.
Once you restart the saline flushes, be sure to get the water a little warmer and decrease the salt just a bit. Experiment with various salt concentrations and water temperatures.
If you continue to experience pain, then it recommended that you consult a physician to see of you have any anatomical obstructions or seriously active infections.
I hope this helps resolve your problem...Please feel free to contact us if you need further assistance.
Can the whole family use the same neti pot?
Neti pots can be shared as long as they are properly cleaned after each person uses the neti. In larger families, it may be preferable for each family member to have their own neti pot. I suggest equipping each member with an inexpensive plastic neti pot and let them each be responsible for properly cleaning it.
Can you go to sleep after using a neti pot?
The answer is yes...you can use the neti pot and then go to sleep. For maximum comfort you will want to ensure that you properly drained your sinuses of excess saline formula. There will be little if any water that remains in the sinuses if you gently blow through each nostril and remove the water.
You may experience some initial drainage to the back of the throat as the mucus will now be thinned and essentially doing it's job of sweeping debris towards the back of the throat. This is a normal bodily function and is actually how the body naturally cleans the sinuses.
Should you use the nedi pot with a sinis infection? Will it help?
Great question. Yes, you can use the neti pot if you have a sinus infection. The infection will cause inflammation and thus the sinus membranes will swell. This essentially keeps the sinuses from cleaning themselves and can cause the condition to become chronic. Washing the sinuses out can help remove bacteria, etc. that has become trapped in thick mucus and help you control the infection. You should consider using a neti pot to flush your sinuses daily if you are plagued with sinus problems that keep coming back.
I have bad congestion, and because of this it takes a long time for a neti pot to drain. Holding the position that is required to use a neti pot (head bent leaning over a sink), for 20 minutes is very painful, especially for my back. Is there a more ergonomic way to use a neti pot?
In the past, I have went outside to a porch and placed a pillow over the rail and then leaned over that. Let the weight of your upper body rest on the rail. This helps the back strain, and then you can use the neti pot easier. Try these tips and see if they help you. Sounds as if you really need to be using the neti pot. Keep it up.
