# Is Nasal Irrigation Effective? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 31, 2002, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632 "2002-10-31T02:31:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cacti)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/1 "2002-10-31T02:31:08Z")
I have read about nasal irrigation. It is supposed to help people who are suffering from sinus and allergy problems. The type I have seen looks like a little teapot and you use it to pour a saline solution into one nostril and it exits out through the other nostril. I am desperate enough that I am considering using one. I would like to hear what anyone has to say about personal experiences using a nasal irrigator. Do they help? Can they be harmful? I would appreciate any information on this topic. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/2 "2002-10-31T02:34:57Z")
[Blowing your nose is not enough!](http://www2.active.ch/~gerstei/main.en.html) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/3 "2002-10-31T03:15:45Z")
Saline nasal irrigation is quite helpful in overcoming problems with chronic nasal congestion due to allergies or infections. But one doesn’t need to use such a fancy device. A cheap generic saline nasal spray available at any pharmacy and many fine grocery stores will suffice. 3 or 4 spritzes 10-40 times a day flushes out thick secretions, moistens dry tissues, and generally is a swell way to pass the time. All without the addictive effects of neo-synephrine or afrin or their ilk! But I would advise consulting a physician, to really check out the basis of your nasal problems, and treat any chronic infections or allergies with such varied devices (where appropriate) as antibiotics, decongestant, and/or nasal steroid sprays. These ingredients, combined with nasal saline spray, can open the door to the wonderful world of nasal hygiene for _you_! QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/4 "2002-10-31T05:33:55Z")
There are some wonderful perscriptions for nasal sprays that have steroids. They work in just three of four days and make all the difference in the world. Then you can discontinue use or use as needed. Whatever you do, don’t have your sinuses drained. (Different from irrigation) I don’t even know if that procedure is done anymore. I’m not a doctor. Just a patient. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/5 "2002-10-31T14:05:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\* Whatever you do, don’t have your sinuses drained. (Different from irrigation) I don’t even know if that procedure is done anymore._\* Sinus tapping can be a very useful diagnostic procedure, to help determine what pathologic organism is causing problems. It can also provide short-term relief from truly intractable discomfort; it is not meant to be curative. Please do not tell people not to have certain procedures when you do not have adequate facts about the situation. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/6 "2002-10-31T15:35:09Z")
Mr. Athena swears by nasal irrigation. A few years ago a doctor suggested it as a relief for sinus pain, and he’s used it every time he gets a bad cold ever since. I’ve done it a couple times, and the sensation of water in my sinuses is a little too weird for me. However, I will still do it if my cold is bad enough, it seems to help. We have one of those little teapot things. They’re cheap enough, and make the process easy. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/7 "2002-10-31T15:52:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*Is Nasal Irrigation Effective? \*\* Yes. I turned my nose from a desert into a fruitful, flowering paradise. what? ---
**Author:** ![ashtayk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/8 "2002-10-31T17:19:26Z")
As a minor matter of interest, I thought that I should mention that the practice of irrigating the nostril is one of the practices in Yoga. There are some other exercises as well that clear up the sinuses including one where a stringlike piece of cloth is inserted into one nostril and the other end comes out of your mouth (ugh!!) These are well documented in Yogic textbooks… ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/9 "2002-10-31T17:20:57Z")
The nasal saline spray is very cheap and quite easy to use. I find it helpful when I have colds or when it is particularly dry. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/10 "2002-10-31T17:22:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ashtayk \* > \*\*There are some other exercises as well that clear up the sinuses including one where a stringlike piece of cloth is inserted into one nostril and the other end comes out of your mouth (ugh!!) > > These are well documented in Yogic textbooks… \*\* Saw a guy do that with a partly inflated baloon on Fox TV last week. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/11 "2002-10-31T17:26:53Z")
Will you be employing seasonal crop pickers or do you do the work yourself? ---
**Author:** ![cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cacti)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/12 "2002-10-31T17:48:04Z")
This is an item similar to which I was referrring: [http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/cgi-local/shop.pl/SID=PUT\_SID\_HERE/page=tanpprc.html](http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/cgi-local/shop.pl/SID=PUT_SID_HERE/page=tanpprc.html) It is not as expensive as the item shown by scott evil, but looks as if it functions the same. I would think that a saline nasal spray would not have quite the same result because of the smaller amount of fluid used. Does the spray actually irrigate or simply moisten? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/13 "2002-10-31T18:07:56Z")
A gal I worked with had some device that hooked up to her WaterPic to more forcefully “encourage” irrigation. The thought of it made me gag but she swore by it. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/14 "2002-10-31T18:08:38Z")
Cecil mentions what he calls “[nasal floss](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_050.html)” in a column about similar yoga practices. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/15 "2002-10-31T19:23:42Z")
IANA MD. Nasal lavage works great for me. I mix about 1/4 tsp of non-iodized kosher salt in about 1/2 cup of water, stir it until the salt dissolves, and put it in little squirt bottles. It takes a few squirts to adjust salinity up or down. When you get it right, it’s not irritating, and in fact feels pretty good. Warm water may be more comfortable, so carry the bottle in your pocket, or warm it under the water when starting up your shower. When I manage to use it regularly, this decreases my allergies (and therefore my allergy-induced asthma), post-nasal drip, and sinus pain. I need fewer allergy/asthma management prescriptions. It gets rid of colds and coughs more quickly. It decreases my sleep apnea. It is practically free and causes no rebound stuffiness. ---
**Author:** ![cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cacti)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/16 "2002-10-31T20:27:15Z")
What kind of little squirt bottles do you use? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/17 "2002-10-31T23:26:51Z")
The only time I ever used it was to clear a blocked sinus. I simply snorted warm salty water from a spoon. My MD explained that the passing water would “suck out” the blockage. It took some getting used to but worked as advertised. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2002, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/18 "2002-11-01T00:19:29Z")
I use hypertonic saline irrigation rather frequently with good results. My ENT suggested it to me. You can make your own saline. Recipe here [http://www.skullbase.ca/nasal\_irrig.htm](http://www.skullbase.ca/nasal_irrig.htm) and other places I use the Grossan Irrigator…it’s an attachment for the Water Pik designed by an ENT…other people use a bulb irrigator, the kind used to clear baby noses Info here [http://www.sinus-relief.com/sinusrelieffaq.html](http://www.sinus-relief.com/sinusrelieffaq.html) As QtM pointed out…there are some potentially good benefits from this with relatively few side effects. In my case, I also use Rhinocort on occasion. (I have crappy Eustachian tubes, very prone to ear infections. This regimen, along with decongestant and the Valsalvo technique, is the ONLY thing that clears up ear infections for me…antibiotics dont do it) See your Family Doc or ENT for your specific needs, but I give a thumbs up to saline irrigation. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2002, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/19 "2002-11-02T01:07:08Z")
Cacti– I use the bottles the store-bought variety comes in (“Ocean” or its generics) or little bottles I got from an acupuncturist. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2002, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632/20 "2002-11-03T00:48:14Z")
i have done it…the hard way. i put one tsp of salt in a pint of warm to hot water, stir, gargle, then exhale it through my sinuses/nose. it’s pretty gross to see, and better have a BIG handkerchief. of course, i do it when no one is around, but the effect is WELL worth it. it works thousands, if not millions of times better than the spray bottle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nasal-irrigation-effective/134632.md?page=2)