Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? (2024)

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Little teapots with long spouts have become a fixture in many homes to flush out clogged nasal passages and help people breathe easier.

Along with other nasal irrigation devices,these devices — commonly called neti pots — use a saline, or saltwater, solution to treat congested sinuses, colds and allergies. They’re also used to moisten nasal passages exposed to dry indoor air. But be careful. Improper use of these neti pots and other nasal irrigationdevices can increase your risk of infection.

Nasal irrigationdevices — which include neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices — are usually safe and effective products when used and cleaned properly, says Eric A. Mann, M.D., Ph.D., a doctor at the FDA.

What does safe use mean? First, rinse only with distilled, sterile or previously boiled water.

Tap water isn’t safe for use as a nasal rinse because it’s not adequately filtered or treated. Some tap water contains low levels of organisms — such as bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas — that may be safe to swallow because stomach acid kills them. But in your nose, these organisms can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections. They can even be fatal in some rare cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What Types of Water Are Safe to Use?

  • Distilled or sterile water, which you can buy in stores. The label will state “distilled” or “sterile.”
  • Boiled and cooled tap water — boiled for 3 to 5 minutes, then cooled until it is lukewarm. Previously boiled water can be stored in a clean, closed container for use within 24 hours.
  • Water passed through a filter designed to trap potentially infectious organisms. CDC has information on selecting these filters.

Safely Use Nasal Irrigation Devices

Second, make sure you follow instructions.

“There are various ways to deliver saline to the nose. Nasal spray bottles deliver a fine mist and might be useful for moisturizing dry nasal passages. But irrigation devices are better at flushing the nose and clearing out mucus, allergens and bacteria,” Mann says.

Information included with the irrigation device might give more specific instructions about its use and care. These devices all work in basically the same way:

  • Leaning over a sink, tilt your head sideways with your forehead and chin roughly level to avoid liquid flowing into your mouth.
  • Breathing through your open mouth, insert the spout of the saline-filled container into your upper nostril so that the liquid drains through the lower nostril.
  • Clear your nostrils. Then repeat the procedure, tilting your head sideways, on the other side.

Sinus rinsing can remove dust, pollen and other debris, as well as help to loosen thick mucus. It can also help relieve nasal symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, colds and flu. Plain water can irritate your nose. The saline allows the water to pass through delicate nasal membranes with little or no burning or irritation.

And if your immune system isn’t working properly, consult your health care provider before using any nasal irrigation systems.

To use and care for your device:

  • Wash and dry your hands.
  • Check that the device is clean and completely dry.
  • Prepare the saline rinse, either with the prepared mixture supplied with the device, or one you make yourself.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
  • Wash the device, and dry the inside with a paper towel or let it air dry between uses.

Talk with a health care provider or pharmacist if the instructions on your device do not clearly state how to use it or if you have any questions.

Nasal IrrigationDevices and Children

Finally, make sure the device fits the age of the person using it. Some children are diagnosed with nasal allergies as early as age 2 and could use nasal rinsing devices at that time, if a pediatrician recommends it. But very young children might not tolerate the procedure.

Whether for a child or adult, talk to your health care provider to determine whether nasal rinsing will be safe or effective for your condition. If symptoms are not relieved or worsen after nasal rinsing, then return to your health care provider, especially if you have fever, nosebleeds or headaches while using the nasal rinse.

Health care professionals and patients can report problems about nasal rinsing devices to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? (2024)

FAQs

Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? ›

Nasal irrigation devices — which include neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices — are usually safe and effective products when used and cleaned properly, says Eric A. Mann, M.D., Ph. D., a doctor at the FDA.

What are the side effects of a sinus rinse? ›

Side effects of sinus rinsing

The most common issues resulting from a nasal rinse are a burning or stinging sensation in the nose and mild irritation in the nasal passages. To make your nasal rinse more comfortable, make sure to use a saline solution instead of plain water, which can aggravate the inside of your nose.

When should you not use a sinus rinse? ›

If the rinse is helping, you can irrigate your nose up to three times a day. But nasal rinses should not be used as a preventive measure when you don't have symptoms. It won't prevent sinus issues and can cause infections to develop.

What is the safest rinse for sinuses? ›

Use purified water (boiled or distilled). Choose non-iodized salt over iodized. And never attempt nasal irrigation if you have clogged ears or an ear infection. If you're unsure whether it's safe to try nasal irrigation, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance.

Can you over rinse your sinuses? ›

DON'T overuse it.

Use a nasal rinse as needed, whether it be a few days or once a week. When your allergies are bad, you can use a neti pot or nasal rinse one to two times per day. Be aware, though, that using nasal rinses too often can irritate your nasal passages.

Is A sinus Flush good for you? ›

Nasal irrigation devices — which include neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices — are usually safe and effective products when used and cleaned properly, says Eric A. Mann, M.D., Ph.D., a doctor at the FDA.

Does sinus rinse raise blood pressure? ›

Is the sodium in nasal sprays enough to raise blood pressure if used daily to flush the nose? No, salt water or sodium nasal sprays or washes do not contribute to oral sodium intake. The salt load in the diet can affect Blood Pressure (BP). Most Americans ingest 2-3 times the sodium/salt that is needed.

Can water get stuck in your sinuses from a sinus rinse? ›

Yes, it is possible to get water stuck in your sinuses from a sinus rinse. This can happen if your sinuses are swollen or if your head is not tilted properly. If you feel like water is stuck, keep your head upright for a while and try blowing your nose. The water should work its way out.

Is bottled water safe for nasal rinse? ›

Abstract. Background: Nasal saline irrigations are a valuable, widely used adjunct for the management of chronic rhinosinusitis. Due to potential concerns regarding infection, patients are commonly recommended to use distilled, bottled, or boiled tap water when mixing these solutions.

How long should you wait to lay down after a sinus rinse? ›

One tip is to do your evening rinse one hour before bed. There may be some slight drainage of the solution, and it's better to catch that fluid with a Kleenex than to have it drip into the throat after lying down.

How to clean a deep inside nose? ›

Using a squeeze bottle, bulb syringe, or neti pot, pour or squeeze the saline solution slowly into the upper nostril. Allow the solution to pour out your other nostril and into the drain. Breathe through your mouth, not your nose, at this time. Repeat on the opposite side.

How do you deep clean your sinuses? ›

Place warm, damp towels around your nose, cheeks and eyes to ease facial pain. Rinse your nasal passages. Use a specially designed squeeze bottle (Sinus Rinse, others) or neti pot. This home remedy, called nasal lavage, can help clear your sinuses.

Is sinus rinse just salt water? ›

Sinus rinse involves rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution and a device like a neti pot. It can help clear out congestion, mucus, crust, and irritants from the nose and help you breathe more freely.

Who should not do sinus rinse? ›

Who should not do sinus rinses? Nasal rinses should not be done on infants or children under 2 years old. If your child has a stuffy nose, talk with their pediatrician about treatments and medications that can help.

Is it safe to use neilmed sinus rinse every day? ›

Many doctors recommend rinsing 3-4 times daily or for special circumstances, even rinsing up to 6 times a day is safe. Please follow your physician's advice.

What is the best time of day to do a nasal rinse? ›

The solution made with the SINUS RINSE™ packet will not burn or sting because it is pH neutral. Moreover, the ingredients in each packet are identical, taking the guesswork out of preparing the solution and giving you the same solution each time you make it. Nasal rinses can be done at any time of day.

Can you sleep after a sinus rinse? ›

However, we recommend that you rinse at least one hour before leaving your home or going to bed in order to avoid the occasional, accidental drainage of the small amount of leftover solution or liquified mucus from the nasal passages, which may drip back or may come out of the nose if you were to lean forward.

Can sinus rinse cause fluid in the ear? ›

Because your ear, nose and throat are interconnected, using sinus rinses or neti pots can sometimes cause water to get stuck in your ears. If this happens, try one of the self-care tips mentioned above to drain the water from your ear or book an appointment with a hearing care specialist.

What happens if you swallow sinus rinse? ›

The solution should flow into one nostril and out of the other, but it will not harm you if you swallow a little. Avoid blowing your nose for about 15 minutes (this is especially helpful if the solution sometimes gets trapped in your ears).

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