How to Use a Neti Pot Safely–and the Best Ones to Buy - Article Health

It’s also no wonder that interest in neti pots—small, simple devices used for nasal irrigation—peak around this time of year. “Patients ask me about these all the time, because they want something to treat their symptoms that’s not medication,” says Lyndsay Leigh Madden, DO, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Using a neti pot can seem a little scary; after all, you are pouring water directly into your nose. Plus, you may have read articles linking neti pots to very rare cases of deadly infections. So before you give one a try, here’s what you should know.

What is a neti pot?
“A neti pot is a nasal irrigation device that looks like a cross between a small teapot and Aladdin’s lamp,” says Dr. Madden. “It’s used to clean the nasal passages and to remove crusting that can occur from environmental or indoor air dryness.”

Are neti pots safe?
Dr. Madden is happy to recommend neti pots to most of her patients and says that they are generally safe when used as directed. “The most important thing to do is to read the instructions that come with the package,” she says.

How do you use a neti pot?
“Most people can get the hang of using a neti pot fairly quickly,” says Dr. Madden, even though it can be awkward and intimidating at first. After you fill the pot, tilt your head over a sink and gently pour the solution into whichever nostril is on top. “Leave your mouth open, so you’ll be able to breathe through your mouth, and the solution will go in one nostril and out the other.”

How to choose a neti pot
Most simple neti pots range in price from $10 to $30, while more complex nasal irrigation systems can cost over $100. Dr. Madden doesn’t recommend one brand or one material over another, instead saying that “patients just need to find the device that works for them and make sure that they’re keeping it clean.”


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