Neti pot what type of water

The case of a woman who died from a brain-eating amoeba after using filtered tap water to clear her sinuses has some wondering how to safely use neti pots. The woman, 69, was using tap water filtered using a Brita Water Purifier in a neti pot, according to a report published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

She died of died from Balamuthia mandrillaris, an amoeba that might live in water and can travel to the brain, causing deadly infection. This isn't the first time someone died from an amoeba believed to be in neti pot water. In , a Louisiana man in his 20s died from another type of brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, after using tap water in his neti pot.

A neti pot is a teapot-shaped container used to rinse out sinuses to relieve congestion often related to allergies and colds. Most people use neti pots at home, filling them up with a saltwater solution and then pouring the solution using the neti pot into one nostril so that it runs through the sinuses and out the other nostril.

Never use tap water in a neti pot, according to recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC advises several ways for making sure water is sterile: Boiling and then cooling the water; using distilled water; filter the water using a filter that removes amoebas; or use chloride bleach to treat the water.

Home Safety and first aid Nasal irrigation — is it safe? Nasal irrigation — is it safe? This can be done by using a range of rinsing devices such as: a bulb syringe squeeze bottle battery-operated pulsed water device neti pot.

It may also be used to provide relief for colds, congested sinuses, and allergies. Nasal irrigation is generally safe but it is essential to: keep the rinsing device clean use a safe, treated source of water. When does nasal irrigation become unsafe? Harmful microorganisms may be found in any water, including drinking water that has not been correctly: filtered treated disinfected. Once in the brain they can cause amoebic meningitis. What is amoebic meningitis? The following symptoms usually occur within 5 days between 1 to 7 days of infection: severe and persistent headache sore throat nausea vomiting high fever sleepiness death.

How do I know if someone has amoebic meningitis? Is tap water safe to use for nasal irrigation? Tap water scheme drinking water that is chlorinated before being piped to your tap is safe for all ordinary domestic purposes such as: drinking food preparation showering bathing. However, there are a few specialised purposes for which tap water is not suitable such as: cleaning or storing contact lenses nasal irrigation.

What type of water is safe to use for nasal irrigation? The types of water safe for nasal irrigation include: distilled or sterile water boiled and cooled tap water tap water passed through a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller.

Boiling and cooling water To boil water using a kettle, boil the water until the automatic switch turns off. Cool the water until lukewarm. How do I use and care for my nasal irrigation device? Yes, using a neti pot might look a little ridiculous, but these teapot-looking contraptions actually do wonders for nasal congestion. Some people swear by this, especially since they get relief so quickly without using medication. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. As the use of neti pots grew over the years, so did the different nasal care tools that offered similar treatment in slightly different forms. This version relies entirely on gravity to force the flow of the solution through your nasal passage.

Among the most popular are the squeeze bottle design. These automated neti pots are easier to use and create less of a mess but they can be pretty darn expensive and require a bit more upkeep for safe cleanliness.

Neti pots push a flow of a saline solution through your nasal passages, clearing out built-up mucus and allergens trapped inside your nasal passage. Why saline instead of just water? It helps prevent irritation of your nasal passage. While there are a number of benefits to using a neti pot, there are important tips to keep in mind to get the best possible results and to avoid creating any unnecessary issues from regular use.

While you can create your own at-home saline solution, packets that come with your neti pot as well as separately sold packets are great because they offer the perfect amount of salt.