June 13 Symptoms typically include: Poor sense of smell Facial pain or pressure Headaches Coughing Runny nose Sore throat Fever Postnasal drip These infections may be caused by seasonal allergies , fungus, airborne pollutants, or even problems within the structure of the nose itself.
How does nasal irrigation help your sinuses? There are a few important things to consider when using a saline canister or neti pot to rinse your sinuses: Be sure to follow directions that came with the product.
If you decide to make your own saline rinse, be sure to use sterile water. Failure to do so could introduce harmful bacteria into your nasal passages. If you use a neti pot, be sure to clean it with sterile, contaminant-free water. Do NOT use tap water for any nasal irrigation unless you have some way of sterilizing it.
Replace your equipment. Few people learned how to effectively use contact lenses on the first try, so you should not be discouraged if it takes you a while to get the hang of nasal irrigation. Your doctor is an important partner in your care, and we will be able to help you with any chronic sinus or allergy problems as well as create a course of treatment specifically tailored to meet your needs.
There are various options, but the most convenient and safest option is to pack the bottle and salt packets. Then, you can purchase distilled water at the destination. The other option would be using tap water from the hotel and sterilizing it with the SteriPen. If you decide to travel fly with the SteriPen, make sure the device is approved for travel by TSA before going to the airport. The best part about nasal irrigation systems?
Providing some relief from sinus problems. Other benefits include:. Using nasal irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis is an almost universal recommendation. They can be very effective at alleviating symptoms and helping your sinuses drain. The benefits of nasal irrigation far outweigh the risks—provided you take precautions and properly sterilize your equipment.
We can summarize this importance in two words:. People are infected when contaminated water enters the nose.
But what does that have to do with nasal irrigation and sinus infection treatment? In rare cases, using contaminated tap water for nasal irrigation can lead to infection.
The first two cases of amebic infection from nasal irrigation occurred in Louisiana in as a result of using contaminated tap water. In , there was another case in Washington state. Although a Brita filter was used to purify the water, the water was still not sterilized enough. In order to be effective, all water purifiers must meet the microfiltration requirements specified in the guidelines from the CDC.
Fortunately, this amebic disease is incredibly rare, but it has a terrifying fatality rate. That may play a role, but most likely it is the mechanical action of the liquid pouring into the sinuses that are responsible, experts say. The pressurized liquid in the sinuses helps soften and ultimately dislodge some of the mucus lining. Plus, pollen and other foreign substances in these passageways responsible for allergic reactions can be flushed away.
For the most part, irrigating your sinuses produces minimal side effects. Some people experience irritation or discomfort in their nose, and possibly an occasional, short-lasting earache.
But the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA has warned that improper use of nasal-rinsing devices such as bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices can increase the risk of infection. According to the agency, any bacteria or other organisms in a contaminated device or in the liquid can enter your sinuses, causing harm.
In rare cases, this is very serious. The Centers for Disease Control CDC warns that very rarely, people using nasal irrigation with tap water have become infected with the dangerous parasite Naegleria fowleri. To prevent this potentially dangerous problem, the FDA suggests using only carefully selected water:. Water coming directly from the tap or shower is not safe to use, the FDA says, because this does not remove potential contaminants.
Once you've mastered the sanitation basics, you can focus on your personal hygiene practice and rinse out your sinuses on a regular basis. Because your nasal passages are naturally salty, using a saline solution rather than straight water can feel better. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology AAAAI suggests a recipe: mix 3 teaspoons tsp of non-iodized salt iodide may irritate your nasal lining , and 1 tsp of baking soda with 1 cup of sterilized water.
There are several ways to get the water into the passages behind your nose. You can use a squirt bottle, a pump designed for this purpose, or a vessel with a long spout called a neti pot. You simply fill the device with the solution, then lean over your sink or, even easier, do it standing in the shower. Tilt your head sideways with your forehead and chin roughly level.
Breathing through your mouth, place the container into your upper nostril and allow the water to drain out naturally. If you just had sinus surgery and you used a cold solution, you could develop bony growths in your nasal passages called paranasal sinus exostoses PSE. Sindwani and his research team have discovered that these growths can develop in the sinuses of people who have undergone surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis , or inflammation in the lining of the sinuses.
PSE look like small polyps or cysts, but they are actually bone. Rinse the irrigation device after each use with safe water and leave the device open to air dry completely. Get a new one every few months, especially if you use it regularly. For the most part, neti pots are safe to use as long as you properly follow directions, especially with the saline solution and keeping your neti pot properly cleaned. Use only the saline packets that are typically included with your neti pot or sold separately for neti pot use.
Using too much of the saline mix can lead to irritation of the nasal passage. Be careful about overuse, too, because that can lead to irritation of the nasal passage. If your issues continue after a few days, contact your healthcare provider.
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