How you can use a neti pot to deal with nasal irritation…
We’ve all had those days when our noses just annoy the heck out of us. Whether it’s because of a cold, a flu, a sinus infection, or just a bad allergic reaction, our noses are running, itchy, and just a huge pain in your rear. There are many treatments recommended for dealing with your nasal irritation, but the neti pot is one of the most interesting options.
A neti pot is basically a plastic or a ceramic pot with a long, thin spout at one end. That spout is inserted–gently!–into one nostril, and a solution of salt water (saline) is poured into your nose. The water goes up one nostril and out the other, thereby flushing the irritants from your nasal cavity.
But, are there other solutions that you can use beside salt water? Could there be a more effective method of flushing the irritants from your nose?
Xylitol
Xylitol is a type of sugar that is often added into gum, but interestingly enough, it can be added into the neti pot in place of water. It is said that xylitol helps to hydrate your nasal region, which can prevent the itching that results from excessive dryness. It may even be able to get rid of the bacteria that is causing your nasal infections, though there is still a good deal of research left do to on the treatment. There still have not been any studies proving it to be effective for certain.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains nutrients that can help to soothe inflammation and irritation, so using aloe vera extract as a treatment for your nasal irritation or congestion could be a good option. Some people have used aloe vera extract as the liquid for the neti pot, replacing the salt water with this soothing liquid.
Pharmaceutical Solutions
Many pharmacies sell solutions of baking soda and salt mixed with water. These solutions are designed to reduce the irritation in your nasal cavity, but the addition of baking soda to the salt water helps to balance your body’s natural pH levels.
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Baking Soda Water
When you use baking soda in your salt water with the neti pot, the baking soda helps to prevent the pH levels of your saline from becoming imbalanced. Too much salt in the water can cause problems, so adding baking soda into the water will serve like a buffering agent against pH imbalances.
Salt Water
The most commonly used solution for the neti pot is salt water, either an isotonic or hypertonic solution. You can usually find simple instructions on how to make your own salt water solution just by reading the directions that come with your neti pot. You can find out how much salt to use, as well as how to make the best solution to treat your nasal irritation.
Sodium Citrate/Citric Acid
Some people recommend using either sodium citrate or citric acid as a means of treating the irritation in your nasal cavities. Not only will these ingredients help to balance out your pH levels and deal with the irritation, but they may actually help to improve your sense of smell at the same time!
One very important note: Do NOT use tap water as the base of your saline solution. The minerals in your tap water can irritate the nasal membranes, which can cause the problem to just get worse.
Also, it’s best to use warm water or water at room temperature rather than cold or hot water. Cold water can irritate your nasal membranes, but it can also stimulate your gag reflex.
