Can a neti pot relieve cold and sinus symptoms? (2024)

What is a neti pot? And why would I use one?

Answer From James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.

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  • Neti pot

A neti pot is a container made to rinse debris or mucus from the nasal cavity using saltwater. You might use a neti pot to treat symptoms of nasal allergies, sinus problems or colds. Using a neti pot can help when indoor air dries out nasal passages.

Neti pots use saltwater to avoid irritating nasal passages.

To start, use water labeled as distilled or sterilized. To use tap water, boil it for several minutes and then let it cool until it's only slightly warm, called lukewarm. If you can't boil water, you can use tap water that's been passed through a water filter. Filters may be labeled in a few different ways. Look for terms such as: 1 micron or smaller pore size, NSF 53, NSF 58, cyst removal or cyst reduction.

Salt packets may be sold with the neti pot or bought separately. You also can make your own salt mix. In a lidded container, combine three measures of noniodized salt with one measure of baking soda and stir. Add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to 1 cup of the boiled, distilled, sterilized or filtered water.

To use the neti pot:

  • Add the salt to the water and stir to dissolve the salt mix. You can combine the water and salt it in the neti pot or in a separate, clean container and pour it into the neti pot.
  • Tilt your head down and sideways over a sink.
  • Place the spout of the neti pot just at the entrance of the upper nostril.
  • While you breathe through your open mouth, start to pour the water into the top nostril. If the water flows into your mouth, tilt your head further down so the water flows into the bottom nostril.
  • The water may drip out of the bottom nostril at first. But once the water is draining out of the nostril, you can stop pouring and set down the neti pot. Then blow your nose.
  • Repeat, switching sides to allow water to drain from the other nostril.

Rinse the neti pot after each use with distilled, sterile or filtered water or water that has been boiled and cooled. Leave the neti pot in the open to air-dry.

Neti pots are often sold in pharmacies, health food stores and online. Other devices, such as squeeze bottles and pressurized canisters, also can be used to rinse or irrigate the nasal passages.

Talk with your healthcare professional to see if nasal rinsing is right for you.

With

James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.

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March 08, 2024

  1. Sinus rinsing for health or religious practice. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/sinus-rinsing.html. Accessed Feb. 20, 2024.
  2. Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe. Accessed Feb. 20, 2024.
  3. Preventing waterborne germs at home. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/preventing-waterborne-germs-at-home.html. Accessed Feb. 20, 2024.
  4. Saline sinus rinse recipe. American Academy of Allergies, Asthma and Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/saline-sinus-rinse-recipe. Accessed Feb. 20, 2024.

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See also

  1. Antibiotics: Are you misusing them?
  2. Breastfeeding and medications
  3. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
  4. Cold or allergy: Which is it?
  5. Cold remedies
  6. Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?
  7. Common cold
  8. COVID-19: How can I protect myself?
  9. Cough
  10. Vitamin C and mood
  11. Exercise and illness
  12. Fatigue
  13. Hand-washing tips
  14. Headache
  15. Honey: An effective cough remedy?
  16. Humidifiers
  17. Nasal Cleaning
  18. Nasal congestion
  19. Plugged ears: What is the remedy?
  20. Runny nose
  21. Symptom Checker
  22. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?
  23. Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?
  24. Watery eyes
  25. When to Take Your Child to the E.D.
  26. Do zinc supplements shorten colds?

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Can a neti pot relieve cold and sinus symptoms? (2024)

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