Neti pots: any proof they work?

[superwombat]

How to use a neti pot.

[wonderlust]

Boy, did he ever do it wrong!

[jackdavinci]

@Pyper

You need the right concentration of salt and the right temperature. If the water is too cold, you get a mild pool water sensation. If the salt concentration is wrong, OH THE BURNING! If you have both right, there is practically no feeling at all except the delicious sensation of mucus dislodging and slithering from your nasal passages. Ahhh!

I was going to ask for the “formula” but someone already gave one. How about the temperature? Do you just stick it in the microwave? Did you experiment with different times until you just got a temperature that “feels right” or did you use a laser thermometer or something? Seriously though, I assume you stick the formula in some water and stir, but how do you go about getting in the right temperature? How do you avoid a soapy residue if you clean it after every use?

[acetylene]

@TruCelt

I use the neilmed. When I have an infection I’ll add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to the wash. It’s drop-you-to-your-knees painful, but it does the trick in two days (twice per day).

OMG please stop doing this! Hydrogen peroxide is

@MSDS

Corrosive to eyes, nose, throat, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

. It is also possibly a carcinogen.

Read the MSDS.

I understand you are taking a dilute solution and diluting it further, but still… Come to my chem lab and pour some 30% hydrogen peroxide on your skin and you will get some idea what you are doing to your mucous membranes.

[Maus_Magill]

@jackdavinci

I was going to ask for the “formula” but someone already gave one. How about the temperature? Do you just stick it in the microwave? Did you experiment with different times until you just got a temperature that “feels right” or did you use a laser thermometer or something?

I use a highly technical method. I sick my finger under the tap, and run it until the water feels comfortable.

[Zsofia]

@Maus_Magill

I use a highly technical method. I sick my finger under the tap, and run it until the water feels comfortable.

Yeah, today it was too cold for one nostril, so I had to adjust the experimental protocol. (That’s the tap on the left that says “H”.)

[Pyper]

@jackdavinci

I was going to ask for the “formula” but someone already gave one. How about the temperature? Do you just stick it in the microwave? Did you experiment with different times until you just got a temperature that “feels right” or did you use a laser thermometer or something? Seriously though, I assume you stick the formula in some water and stir, but how do you go about getting in the right temperature? How do you avoid a soapy residue if you clean it after every use?

I mix hot water and cold water from the tap and then dip my finger in to test it. If it’s too hot or cold, I slosh out some water from the top and add more to adjust. After a few tries, you’ll get the hang of what temperature you prefer.

I don’t wash my pot with soap. I give it the occasional swipe with alcohol.

[butterbeancastro]

i think most people with milder forms of sinusitis have found they work. relief not very invasive etc.

[Washoe]

I started using the McNeill nose doucher gizmo about two weeks ago and I swear it’s like the second coming. I’ve found that the easiest way to prepare the water is to make half a gallon at a time. I started by using distilled water, but stopped doing so after the first gallon ran out. Now I just use 2 quarts of tap water, 40 grams of kosher salt (per QtM’s recommendation), and 2 teaspoons bicarb. Works just as well as distilled water with the prepackaged solutes.

[emmaliminal]

@Washoe

… I’ve found that the easiest way to prepare the water is to make half a gallon at a time…

Do you use it cold, or do you microwave it as needed, or what?

[Washoe]

I pour it into the bottle and microwave it for 20 seconds—perfect temperature.