Nose Irrigation

Marisa Demarco [ Mon Nov 17 2008 12:34 PM ]

instructables.com

I, like most humans in Albuquerque this month, have had this nasty, hanging-on cold. Now my sinuses are stinging and my eyes are all rheumy.

Someone suggested I buy some kind of nasal irrigator and flush out my head. Apparently, it’s quite normal for people to shoot salt water into their nostrils in an effort to flash flood the thick, weeks-old mucus. I’m a little stunned. I can’t believe this is something people actually do. Hell, even NPR thinks it’s a good idea.

I’m going to try it so I stop looking like Archibald, the most sickly and gothic of all reindeers (what with the runny, mopey eyes and bright red nose).

So, irrigation experts, what’s it like? Have you done this? Does it help? Is there a brand of snot flooders that rises above the others?

Public Comments (11)

- Greenley
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It's not bad [ Mon Nov 17 2008 12:38 PM ]

just go with the flow (heh heh). Get a netipot (above). They're like $10. Word of advice, don't use too much salt.
- simonm
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Too much salt? [ Mon Nov 17 2008 1:11 PM ]

What happens if you use too much salt? How much is too much salt? This is a very scary, nontraditional procedure that should be feared and avoided.
- drivesober
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Non-iodized salt or beware!!! [ Mon Nov 17 2008 2:07 PM ]

Be careful to use non-iodized salt because iodized will burn. It's not bad at all....no fear- just do it! I've not had a sinus infection in years since I started doing this safe and effective procedure. I put a pinch of n.o. salt and a pinch of baking soda in 2 cups warm h20....hold your breath and with a neti-pot pour half one side half the other. It's very helpful!!!
- mcoonsis
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plastic neti pot [ Mon Nov 17 2008 2:15 PM ]

There is also a plastic neti pot out there that you can squeeze. It looks like a fancy dish soap bottle and I bought mine at the La Mantanita Co-Op in Nob Hill. I use it before bedtime or anytime i feel stuffed up! It is very effective way to get rid of all that gunk!
- hotrod
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That's just plain GROSS [ Mon Nov 17 2008 6:02 PM ]

Don't do it. Get some BUCKLEY'S cough and cold medicine from Canada. It's hard to find and tastes awful but is absolute magic in clearing your head and getting rid of that cold. It's made from tree sap or something.
- Jessica
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it IS gross [ Mon Nov 17 2008 6:10 PM ]

And it's weird that people who use neti pots are usually open about the fact they use them. Keep that stuff to yourself people.
- freedumb
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Looking for a used neti pot. [ Tue Nov 18 2008 9:09 AM ]

to vomit in
- OutaCigs
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Another Word of Caution [ Tue Nov 18 2008 9:47 AM ]

Make sure you actually have the ability to successfully rinse the water to the other side. I once had a similar cold so I used a neti pot to help. My sinus were so thick the water could barely trickle through, it got trapped and became a WICKED sinus infection that required an urgent care visit, a round of antibiotics (boooooooo) and pain killers (yaaaayy).
- madusa
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don't do it [ Tue Nov 18 2008 10:38 AM ]

if you have a weak gag reflex or else you'll be seeing more then mucus.
- Nick Brown
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I've heard that [ Tue Nov 18 2008 10:42 AM ]

a soldering iron works better than dumping a bunch of sea monkeys up your nose.
- stellarskarma
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Wacky [ Tue Nov 18 2008 2:29 PM ]

Doesn't work...unless you want a clean face...don't use it...water sees more of your face then your nose.