# I just used a neti pot for the first time **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 30, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163 "2008-12-30T02:59:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/1 "2008-12-30T02:59:02Z")
What an extraordinarily weird sensation THAT was. And right after I thought about how weird it felt, I happened to look in the mirror and see how weird it looked. And then I laughed. Ow. But my nose is clear! Do those who use a neti pot do it daily? Did you see immediate results? ---
**Author:** ![exastris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b38774/32.png) [@exastris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/exastris)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/2 "2008-12-30T03:37:06Z")
Do you get that horrible water-up-the-nose feeling? Or does the water not get that far back? Or down? Inquiring minds want to know! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/3 "2008-12-30T03:41:14Z")
> [@exastris](#): > > Do you get that horrible water-up-the-nose feeling? Or does the water not get that far back? Or down? Inquiring minds want to know! It wasn’t really like a swimming water-up-the-nose feeling. It didn’t hurt. A very slight burn (I used half a packet of the solution for each nostril). My eyes started to water and when I did the first side I ended up with some salt water in my mouth. That was a little unpleasant, but not too bad. ETA: I did hurt when I laughed. I think I inhaled a little. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/4 "2008-12-30T04:07:08Z")
It is a very strange sensation. I sometimes accidentally put too much salt in mine and get a real sting for my efforts. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/5 "2008-12-30T04:09:01Z")
What a pain in the ass that you have to mix it everyday. Isn’t it just saline? Don’t they sell gobs of it? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/6 "2008-12-30T04:13:07Z")
It’s not a pain in the ass, it’s pouring in about 4 oz of water and stirring in a half-package of the crap they sell with it. My husband just tried it for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/7 "2008-12-30T04:25:51Z")
I’ve been thinking about it, but haven’t had the courage. Were your sinuses impacted or did you get a frequent stuffy nose? I don’t remember being without a nosespray since they were invented. Before that, there were nose drops in a bottle. And even before that, there were just these little inhalers that fooled users into thinking they were clear – for about ten minutes. I will be curious about the answers to your OP. ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/8 "2008-12-30T04:45:38Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Do those who use a neti pot do it daily? Did you see immediate results? I use it daily except when my wife tosses it on a shelf and I forget for a while until something reminds me to get it out again (this thread!). I’ve seen immediate results, very few sinus infections since I started using it a few months ago; actually only one infection and it only lasted 3 days, usually they linger for a week or more. I’m a believer. A tip I read on here was to fill a baby jar with rubbing alcohol and keep it nearby to clean off the end after using it. ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/9 "2008-12-30T04:48:16Z")
> [@exastris](#): > > Do you get that horrible water-up-the-nose feeling? Or does the water not get that far back? Or down? Inquiring minds want to know! The solution definitely gets that far back, it goes in one nostril and flows out the other. It’s a weird sensation the first time, not so much now. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/10 "2008-12-30T13:53:08Z")
Oooo, there are now _two_ active neti pot threads on the Dope. Obviously, prosetylization is effective! ---
**Author:** ![Basandre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@Basandre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Basandre)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/11 "2008-12-30T16:43:32Z")
I’ve tried mine a couple of times - I can’t get the water to come out the other nostril, it keeps going out my mouth or down my throat. I guess I just have to persist? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/12 "2008-12-30T16:51:23Z")
Try to keep your head from leaning forward or backward. Just tilt it to a 45 degree angle so that the nostril you are pouring it into is up. I hate doing it. I love the after-effect. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/13 "2008-12-30T17:20:10Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > What a pain in the ass that you have to mix it everyday. Isn’t it just saline? Don’t they sell gobs of it? If it’s a pain in the ass, you’re using it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/14 "2008-12-30T19:57:14Z")
Yeah, mine is just a packet of salt mixture that came with the neti pot. I tear it open, poor it in, add water, shake it up, done. All of 10 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/15 "2008-12-30T21:33:00Z")
you can just use salt, if the water is cold you get that up the nose sensation like when swimming if its hot its really strange if its just right you can hardly feel it…inside your head doesnt have the same nerve endings as outside. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/16 "2008-12-31T04:36:29Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > It’s not a pain in the ass, it’s pouring in about 4 oz of water and stirring in a half-package of the crap they sell with it. My husband just tried it for the first time. Totally agree–and you don’t even need to use the crap they sell. All you need is non-iodized salt, like sea salt or kosher salt, and warm tap water. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/17 "2008-12-31T08:13:24Z")
If I’m not stuffy or having any sinus problem, I only use mine once per week. Otherwise I’ll use it for a couple of days until the problem clears. You don’t need to do both nostrils. I only do my right side because it’s less awkward. ---
**Author:** ![JHE1967](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JHE1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHE1967)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/18 "2008-12-31T08:21:06Z")
Supposedly the squeeze bottle is more effective than the pot. Whatever you do do not forget to mix the salt in the water. Tap water up the nose hurts like you wouldn’t beleive. ---
**Author:** ![Pixilated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/19 "2008-12-31T11:43:17Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > If it’s a pain in the ass, you’re using it wrong. :eek: you so owe me a new set of scrubs… and hot chocolate spraying out of the nose is no fun, btw - stick to the salt water ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163/20 "2008-12-31T23:21:13Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Oooo, there are now _two_ active neti pot threads on the Dope. Obviously, prosetylization is effective! I got my roommate to try it last night. He may still need more convincing, though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-used-a-neti-pot-for-the-first-time/479163.md?page=2)