How can i irrigate my sinus

Mintz MD - Otolaryngology. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

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Updated visitor guidelines. List of Partners vendors. Rinsing or "flushing" your sinuses may not be the most comfortable thing, but neither are nasal congestion and stuffiness. The practice can help clear out debris that may be causing symptoms like sniffling and sneezing, thin mucus so it can be more easily expelled, and moisturize your nasal passages. Rinsing your sinuses is also inexpensive, easy to do, and can provide relief without medication and associated side effects. It's a good option for children who are too young to take cold medications.

You have a few options when it comes to how you can flush your sinuses, all of which involve a saline solution salt water. Some sinus rinses come with pre-made saline solutions, while other choices may require you to make saline solution using provided or replacement salt packets available at drugstores. You can also make homemade saline solution. A neti pot is a great way to flush out your sinuses when you are congested or have a lot of mucus in them.

It looks like a little teapot, and you fill it with a saline solution that is either store-bought provided with the pot or sold separately or homemade.

Using tap water to irrigate your sinuses can introduce dangerous organisms to your nasal passages that can cause serious infections. If you're making your own solution or using a saline mix, be sure you use distilled water or sterilize water yourself by boiling it, then letting it cool to room temperature before use.

Saline sprays and rinses are other very popular options for breaking up mucus in the nasal passages and helping you breathe easier when you're stuffed up.

A number of sinus rinses work similarly to a neti pot, but you may find them easier to use: they look like and essentially are squeeze bottles. To use a sinus rinse product:. This product is very effective when used for congestion from a cold or allergies. The quick-dispensing nature of a saline spray may be more appealing to children or, perhaps more so, their caretakers.

Boogie Mist is one example of a saline spray geared toward kids. 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.

Enter your email address to subscribe:. Facebook Youtube Twitter. Home Safety and first aid Nasal irrigation — is it safe? Nasal irrigation — is it safe? This can be done by using a range of rinsing devices such as: a bulb syringe squeeze bottle battery-operated pulsed water device neti pot. It may also be used to provide relief for colds, congested sinuses, and allergies. Nasal irrigation is generally safe but it is essential to: keep the rinsing device clean use a safe, treated source of water.

When does nasal irrigation become unsafe? Harmful microorganisms may be found in any water, including drinking water that has not been correctly: filtered treated disinfected. Once in the brain they can cause amoebic meningitis. What is amoebic meningitis? The following symptoms usually occur within 5 days between 1 to 7 days of infection: severe and persistent headache sore throat nausea vomiting high fever sleepiness death. How do I know if someone has amoebic meningitis?

Is tap water safe to use for nasal irrigation? Tap water scheme drinking water that is chlorinated before being piped to your tap is safe for all ordinary domestic purposes such as: drinking food preparation showering bathing.