BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Allergies & Colds Neti pots

I really love my neti pot. It's made a huge difference in keeping my allergies under control. Flushing my sinuses with warm saline solution seems to reduce swelling and stuffiness. It's helped me reduce the amount of medications I take. I also keep a spray bottle of saline solution handy for use when I'm away from home. I'm thankful everyday for the health professional who shared the "secret" of washing your sinuses with saline solution.

I've been thinking of getting one of these. I saw it demonstrated on Oprah. Do you buy ready-made saline solution or do you make it yourself?

You can purchase Neti pot salt that you dissolve in warm water in the pot. It's available at health food stores. I've been using regular non-iodized salt that I buy in the health food section at Fred Meyer. It's cheaper and seems to be just as effective. I live in Idaho and the allergy season is pretty awful this year. My Neti pot has really saved the day for me. It's helped me keep my allergies under control. Sometimes during the day I can tell my allergies are starting to flare up so, if possible, I whip out my Neti pot and flush out my nasal passages. It works like a charm.

I've had success using a bulb ear syringe like they recommend for babies. I add some salt to warm water in a glass and then squirt the salt water into one nostril and let it run out the other. This adds a little power behind the flushing.

I've had huge success treating my allergies and and I haven't had a sinus infection in many years since using sinus irrigation.

I used to use a Neti pot, then the allergist suggested the NeilMed Sinus Rinse bottle. I find the bottle works much better, fits in my medicine cabinet or a drawer better and is easier to take with me if I travel. I've used both their pre-mixed packets and made my own wash using sea salt or sea salt and baking soda. The allergist told me that if I don't need the full contents of the bottle, I can set it aside and use it for up to 2 days. (NeilMed says to throw out any unused solution immediately.)

Good luck,
Julie