Download Article An at home guide for nasal irrigation
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This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
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Research suggests that nasal irrigation is an effective way to both treat and prevent sinus issues.[1] While it may sound complicated, nasal irrigation is a simple process where you rinse out your sinuses to remove things like allergens, irritants, and dried mucus. Studies show that flushing your sinuses is usually safe as long as you use the right kind of water and a clean nasal irrigation device.[2] Fortunately, it's fairly easy to flush your sinuses, so you can hopefully get fast relief.
Steps
Choose an irrigation device. There are many different kinds of nasal irrigation devices on the market today. These devices are available at most pharmacies, naturopathic stores, and online. They range in size, shape, and longevity (some are disposable), but each essentially serves the same purpose: to flush out your sinuses. Common irrigation devices include:[3]- Neti pots
- Bulb syringe
- Squeeze bottle
Use safe water. Most homes with indoor plumbing have tap water that is safe to drink. However, some sources of tap water contain low levels of microorganisms like bacteria, amoeba, and other protozoa. While these organisms are typically safe to drink, as stomach acid kills them on contact, they should not be used on thin membranes like the inside of the sinus.[4]- Unsafe tap water used for nasal irrigation can lead to bacterial infections and amoebic meningitis, a severe condition that is usually fatal.[5]
- Distilled or sterile water is ideal. These can be purchased in most stores, and should specifically say "distilled" or "sterile" on the label.[6]
- You can create sterile water at home. Boil tap water for three to five minutes, then cool until it is lukewarm. Do not use hot water, as this can cause serious and painful burns.
- Water that has passed through a filter with an absolute pore size of less than or equal to one micron is safe to use. These filters are small enough that they can trap microorganisms, rendering the tap water safe to use. You can buy these tap filters at many hardware stores or online.Find out more about these filters at the Center for Disease Control website.
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Buy or make a saline solution. You can purchase over-the-counter saline solutions designed for nasal irrigation at most drug stores and pharmacies. However, you can just as easily make your own saline solution at home.- Measure three teaspoons of salt. You should only use kosher, canning, or pickling salt. Do not use salt with iodine, anti-caking agents, or preservatives, as these can irritate the nasal and sinus cavities.
- In a clean bowl or container, mix the salt with one teaspoon of baking soda.[7]
- Add 8 ounces (1 cup) of lukewarm water that is either distilled, sterile, boiled and cooled, or properly filtered.
- Stir until the salt and baking soda are dissolved in the water. Use this mixture to fill your irrigation device.[8] Make sure you are using a sterile instrument to stir the mixture.
Take sanitary precautions. It's important that you take safety precautions whenever you handle, clean, and store your irrigation device. This will help prevent bacteria and other germs from contaminating your irrigation device and potentially entering your sinus cavity.[9]- Wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling or using your irrigation device. Dry your hands with a clean, disposable paper towel.[10]
- Wash the irrigation device using distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water to ensure that the device does not become contaminated while washing. Let the device air dry, or wipe the inside dry with a clean, disposable paper towel.
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Fill your irrigation device. Whether you are using a neti pot, a syringe bulb, or a different irrigation device, ensure that the device has been properly cleaned. Fill the device with a saline solution that has either been store bought or made at home using sterile water.[11]
Get into position. Once you've drawn water into your irrigation device, you'll need to get in place. Lean over a sink to avoid spilling water everywhere (especially water that has been through your sinus).- Tilt your head sideways over the sink.[12] Some experts recommend tilting your head at a 45-degree angle to facilitate the best flow of water without any getting into your mouth.[13]
- When you're ready, press the spout of your irrigation device gently into the nostril that is closer to the ceiling (the "upper" nostril, when your head is tilted). Do not shove the spout deep inside the nose or against the septum, as this may cause discomfort or injury.[14]
Irrigate the sinuses. Once you're in position and have inserted your irrigation device, you may begin to irrigate the nose. Proceed slowly and carefully, especially if this is your first time irrigating your sinuses.- Breathe through your mouth. Do not under any circumstances attempt to breathe through your nose, as this may cause water to go into your lungs and could present a choking hazard.[15]
- Slowly raise the handle of your irrigation device. If you are using a syringe bulb, you may now begin to gently squeeze the saline solution out. If you are using a neti pot, simply let the water pour slowly into the nostril.
Switch sides. Once you've irrigated from one side, you'll need to repeat the entire procedure for the other nostril. Switch the angle of your head to put the other nostril "above" the one you just irrigated.
Clear your sinuses. Once you've drained the pot on both sides, exhale through both nostrils before you attempt to inhale. You may also wish to blow your nose to remove all the excess solution and mucus/debris.- 6Follow up with a few drops of a nasal oil that contains sesame oil. Sesame oil used as nasal drops can help to moisten and soothe your nasal passages, and it may also help to flush them out further.[16] Try using a nasal oil blend to lubricate the inside of your nose after you flush your sinuses.
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- QuestionHow often is it safe to flush my sinuses?
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MSLuba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
Board-Certified Family Nurse PractitionerFlush your sinuses once a day during acute sinus problems and then once or three times a week once your symptoms have subsided. - QuestionCan I use Epsom salts?Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MSLuba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
Board-Certified Family Nurse PractitionerDo not use Epsom salt for your nasal rinses. You can use Epsom salts in a hot bath, and it can help relieve muscle and joint aches as well as sinus congestion.
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Tips
- Always flush your sinuses over a sink. The amount of mucus that exits the nasal cavity can be unpredictable.Thanks
- A bit of baking soda is often used to buffer the solution of salt and water. If you cannot acquire the right kind of salt you can use plain water, but salt acts to soothe the membrane of the nasal cavity.Thanks
- You may want to consult your healthcare provider to discuss whether or not flushing your sinuses is appropriate for you. Your doctor may be able to assist you in learning to irrigate your sinuses.Thanks
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Warnings
- Never irrigate the sinus of an infant, as this may cause the child to choke or drown. Nasal irrigation is safe for adults, but only because an adult knows not to inhale through the nose during irrigation. Always check with a physician or pediatrician before using a neti pot or other device with a small child.Thanks
- Do not use normal table salt for the solution. Table salt often includes iodine, which can irritate the nasal passages. Kosher or pickling salt are safer alternatives, as they generally contain no chemicals that would harm or irritate the nasal cavity.Thanks
- Be sure to only use clean water. Contaminants in tap water can be dangerous for the nasal cavity. If you have doubts about the health of your tap water, boil it for an extended period of time to remove impurities.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Non-iodized salt
- Baking soda
- Warm, purified/sterilized water
- An irrigation device (neti pot, nasal syringe, or squeeze bottle)
References
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what_to_do_about_sinusitis
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-nasal-irrigation
- ↑ http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430754/
- ↑ http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm
- ↑ http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/webfm-uploads/documents/research/nasalirrigationinstructions.pdf
- ↑ http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/webfm-uploads/documents/research/nasalirrigationinstructions.pdf
- ↑ http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm
- ↑ http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm
- ↑ http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/webfm-uploads/documents/research/nasalirrigationinstructions.pdf
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/truth-about-neti-pots
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/truth-about-neti-pots
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/truth-about-neti-pots
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/truth-about-neti-pots
- ↑ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/482595
About This Article
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 945,085 times.
Co-authors: 23
Updated: May 25, 2022
Views: 945,085
Categories: Sinus Health
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
Article SummaryX
Before you flush your sinuses, buy a neti pot or syringe bulb from a pharmacy. Then, clean and fill your chosen device with salt water. Next, lean over a sink with your head tilted to one side so the solution doesn’t spill everywhere. Slowly spray the water into one nostril, then turn your head to the other side and repeat the process. Finish by exhaling through both nostrils to clear your sinuses, and applying a few drops of sesame oil to soothe them. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to make your own saline solution, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
"Did my first nasal flush 3 days ago. Have been suffering from headaches, stuff running down my throat at night causing me to gag, head always in a fog, fatigue, not breathing well through nose, eyes so sore that I could not go in sunlight without sunglasses, even getting dark spots around eyes, and of course painful nasal congestion. After 3 flushes I feel better than I have in 5-6 years. Glad I stumbled onto this, it succeeded where doctors have failed me for years, and saline is much cheaper."..." more
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