Using the right amount of salt in your neti pot helps prevent problems.
Neti pots feature a small tea-kettle shape made from glazed ceramic. Those with chronic sinus infections or allergies often benefit from filling these little pots with saltwater and pouring it through their sinuses via a nostril. The water cleanses the sinus cavities of infection and irritants and passes out through the other nostril. Though beneficial, neti pot users may encounter problems such as stinging from the water or sinus blockages.
Instructions
1. Measure and mix your water exactly according to package directions. Test the temperature of the water with a food thermometer and never estimate the amount of salt you need. Too much salt or water at too high a temperature could sting the nasal passages. Precision helps prevent this.
2. Stir the salt and the water together in a separate container, such as a measuring cup, before pouring them into your neti pot. Watch the salt swirl in the water, making sure all of it dissolves before pouring the water into your pot. Solid salt grains could cause undue stinging.
3. Use distilled or filtered water and pure sea salt for neti pots. Pollutants in the water or salt may irritate the sinuses and cause stinging. Always rinse your neti pot before use and never wash it with detergents to prevent contaminating the pot. All of these practices prevent nose bleeds, also.
4. Stand in front of a mirror and slip the spout of the neti pot into your left nostril. Twist the pot gently back and forth, working the spout firmly into your nostril. Hold the pot so the bottom is perfectly horizontal with the floor. This forms a seal that prevents the water from spilling out of the ingoing nostril. Proper placement prevents it from going into your mouth and throat.
5. Relax your facial muscles, breathing deeply before you bend over to start irrigation. This prevents contraction of the sinuses and accidental blockage. Preventing blockages this way prevents water leaking into the back of your throat or coming out onto your face.
6. Perform sinus irrigation several times, even if you experience sinus pressure, ear popping or headache. These symptoms come from your sinuses not being used to the treatment and the process of clearing out excess mucus. One or two irrigation attempts should eliminate these symptoms.
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