Thread: Neti pots. Seriously.

When my doctor first suggested I try one of these for chronic sinus infections I thought it was one of the more disgusting things I'd heard of. "You want me to WHAT?" "Pour saline solution up my freakin' nose and out the other nostril?" I was sure he was kidding. However, I was desperate and at the point where I would try just about anything. It turned out to be just as creepy as I suspected it would be. Probably the most unpleasant thing I'd ever done to myself on purpose. Nevertheless, I kept doing it and like so many other things in life, it turned out to be less unpleasant each time. Eventually I began so understand why so many people sang the praises of this strange contraption. Now I use it on occasion just because it leaves my sinuses and nasal passages feeling so clean and refreshed. I'll not go on record as proselytizing for Neti pots, I'm just relating my personal experience with one. I can quit any time I want to. Really. Honest, I can.

I've used them too. I agree they are strange at first and I am not really sure whether or not I ever really got used to it. My uncle informed me when I got one that they become addictive. Now I'm not sure about that, but I know it did work for me.

You might not proselytize, but I might. I neti pot every night now. Back in the desert it helped with the change of seasons and allergies from time to time, but now that I live in New York and see how filthy the air is here, I consider it daily maintenance just to keep my head clear. When I skip a day it's no big deal but the longer I go the more my nose "whistles" if you know what I mean.
3 small spoons of kosher salt in medium warm water and I have enough for both nostrils and a good mouth rinse.
If you're weirded out by it, I don't know what to say. But if you've ever done an ear candle and been mystified by what came out of your ear, you'll get a kick out of the neti pot.
For what it's worth, salt is salt. Just make sure it's dissolved first!

This is one of those things that you will never look cool using.

I use one in the spring to help with allergies. Seems to work for me.

i just dissolve some salt in some water and snort it from my palm works great .

A few singer friends recommended that technique in a pinch, and it works for sure, but the snorting is too forceful. Dem membranes is sensitive

I must say that I am a big proponent of the neti pot. I went so far as to invest in a nice stainless one. I went through a bad allergy period last year where I was using this thing everyday. I am now down to once or twice a week, but I would never go without it again. I too consider it part of my health/maintenance routine.

Originally Posted by dnjrboy

This is one of those things that you will never look cool using.

Definitely not something you let her see you do on the first date. Or the second. Maybe not ever.

I use a different version of the Neti-pot, sinus rinse. http://www.neilmed.com/can/sinusrinse.php

It's basically a flexible plastic bottle that you squeeze to push the water into your nose. It's very easy to control the flow that way.

I use it as soon as I feel I'm getting cloged up or when I start getting sick. I'll use it when my alergies get bad, it's instant releif.

Whenever using netipots, DON'T FORGET THE SALT !!! I forgot it once, quite a painful experience.

Originally Posted by Glenn24

It's basically a flexible plastic bottle that you squeeze to push the water into your nose. It's very easy to control the flow that way.

That sounds like a good alternative to the cheap blue neti pot. I don't use it as often as I should, because of the gymnastics involved in getting the water into and out of my nose without irrigating the bathroom floor.

I'm going to see if I can find that locally. Thanks.

Ian