Neti pot Can it clear your nose - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Neti pot Can it clear your nose
Products and services What is a neti pot And why would you use one
Answer From James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D. Multimedia
Neti pot A neti pot is a container designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. You might use a neti pot to treat symptoms of nasal allergies, sinus problems or colds. If you choose to make your own saltwater solution, it's important to use bottled water that has been distilled or sterilized. Tap water is acceptable if it's been passed through a filter with a pore size of 1 micron or smaller or if it's been boiled for several minutes and then left to cool until it's lukewarm. To use the neti pot, tilt your head sideways over the sink and place the spout of the neti pot in the upper nostril. Breathing through your open mouth, gently pour the saltwater solution into your upper nostril so that the liquid drains through the lower nostril. Repeat on the other side. Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with similarly distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered water and leave open to air-dry. Neti pots are often available in pharmacies, health food stores and online. Other devices, such as squeeze bottles and pressurized canisters, also can be used to rinse or irrigate the nasal passages. Talk to your doctor to see if nasal rinsing is right for you. With James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Honey: An effective cough remedy?Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant? ShareTweet Feb. 12, 2022 Show references Sinus rinsing for health or religious practice. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/sinus-rinsing.html. Accessed Nov. 2, 2017. Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm. Accessed Nov. 2, 2017. Patel ZM, et al. Uncomplicated acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 2, 2017. Li JTC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 13, 2017. See more Expert Answers Products and Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy ChildBook: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies See also
Antibiotics: Are you misusing them?Avoid rebound nasal congestionBreastfeeding and medicationsCan chicken soup cure a cold?Chicken soup: Can it treat a cold?Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?Cold or allergy: Which is it?Cold remediesCold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?Common coldCOVID-19: How can I protect myself?CoughVitamin C and moodDoes zinc work for colds?Exercise and illnessFatigueHand-washing tipsHave a cold? Common sense rulesHave a cold? Fight back with humidityHave a cold? Fight it with fluidsHeadacheHoney: An effective cough remedy?How well do you wash your hands?Humidifier care 101HumidifiersIs antibacterial soap a do or a don't?Nasal CleaningNasal congestionPlugged ears: What is the remedy?Runny noseStuffy nose? Try saline spraySymptom CheckerVicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?Vitamin C: Can it prevent colds?Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?Watery eyesWhat is MERS-CoV?When to Take Your Child to the E.D.Do zinc supplements shorten colds?Show more related content Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058305 Home Neti pot Can it clear your nose Mayo Clinic Footer
Legal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies Advertising
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.Advertising and sponsorship policyAdvertising and sponsorship opportunities Reprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.