Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation is the practice of flushing the nose and the sinus spaces around it with warm salt water (saline solution). This is done to clear out mucus, moisturize the nose, and improve nasal hygiene. It is also used to treat sinus infections (sinusitis), allergies, the common cold, post-nasal drip, and other conditions affecting the nose, but there's no good evidence to support these uses.

Saline solutions used for irrigation are usually either "isotonic saline" or "hypertonic saline." Isotonic saline, also called normal saline, is 0.9% salt. This is the concentration that is generally used in intravenous (IV) solutions. Hypertonic saline is usually between 1.2% and 3.5% salt.

Nasal irrigation is a traditional practice in yoga call "Jala neti." It was later adopted by Ayurveda. Practitioners use a small neti pot which looks like a teapot. Saline solution is added to the pot and poured through the nostril.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): There is interest in using nasal irrigation to make COVID-19 less severe. But there is no good evidence to support this practice. If you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, be sure to wash your hands and disinfect the rinse bottle and surrounding surfaces after nasal irrigation. And follow healthy lifestyle choices and proven prevention methods as well.

Nasal irrigation involves flushing out the nose and sinuses with salt water (saline). It is done using a variety of methods including application with a bulb syringe or using a "neti pot." No method of nasal irrigation has been consistently shown to work better than another.

Saline irrigation flushes out mucus and irritants from the sinuses, improves the flow of air through the nose, and reduces nasal swelling.

Saline solutions used for irrigation are either "isotonic" (0.9% salt) or "hypertonic" (1.25% and 3.5% salt). Some research suggests that higher saline amounts are more effective; however, other clinical research shows no difference between isotonic and hypertonic solutions.

When applied into the nose: Nasal irrigation is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when used appropriately. Some common, minor side effects include nasal burning, pain, stinging, and irritation, as well as ear fullness, pain, and irritation. Higher concentrations of saline are more likely to cause these side effects. In rare cases, some people might experience a nosebleed, headache, coughing, or nausea.

There has been some concern that long-term use of nasal irrigation might increase the chance of getting sinus infections over and over again. But some scientists think that this might be caused by poor hygiene. There is also concern about nasal irrigation causing other types of infections. There have been reports of brain infection in some people using neti pots for nasal irrigation. But in these reports, people were using neti pots incorrectly with plain tap water.

To maintain good hygiene, use only boiled, bottled, or distilled water for nasal irrigation. Wash out pots or other devices used to administer the water with hot soapy water after every use, and never share these items with other people. Rinse bottles should be switched to a new bottle every month.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Practitioners of yoga and Ayurvedic medicine use a pot called a "neti pot" to administer nasal irrigation. It looks a little like a teapot. A solution of sodium chloride (salt) in water (saline solution) is added to the pot and poured through the nostril. Other practitioners instill the saline solution in the nose using a low-pressure spray or rinse bottle.

Nasal irrigation is usually applied once or twice daily. Nasal irrigation is often used as needed for relieving nose irritation or symptoms of sinus infection, colds, hay fever, etc. Or it is used on a routine basis. In scientific research, saline solutions used for irrigation are either "isotonic saline" (0.9% salt), the concentration that is generally used in intravenous drips, or "hypertonic saline" (between 2% and 3.5% salt). Some research suggests that higher saline concentrations are more effective; however, other clinical research shows no difference between normal and hypertonic saline solutions.

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