Neti Pot

While sinus infections can affect anyone, they often are most problematic for those who suffer from respiratory allergies or those dealing with the flu or other illness. Seeking relief, people will often head to their doctor's office, and most carry a preconceived notion that the doctor can just prescribe and antibiotic, like amoxicillin, to clear things up. A study published in a February issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that this is not only NOT helping rhinosinusitis patients but may be setting us for difficulties later.

Researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis took aim at determining the differences in treating rhinisinusitis with amoxicillin versus over the counter treatments. Over the course of ten days, patients were given three doses a day of amoxicillin or a placebo as well as OTC treatments for congestions, cough, and fever.

When comparing both groups, researchers found there was no statistical difference in how patients were feeling after three days of treatment. After ten days, both groups showed improved conditions, but most sinus infections clear up by then, regardless of the cause of the infection.

This was unexpected for many in that the common belief is that antibiotics like Amoxicillin speed up the recovery process. So while patients request and many doctors prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections, for most, this is unnecessary. More importantly, it can also be contributing to a growing problem with bacteria and treatment.

What medical professionals are finding is simple bacterial infections that could traditionally be treated with an antibiotic are displaying resistance to these treatments. Due to overuse, antibiotics are having less and less of an effect on bacteria.

Using fewer antibiotics to treat sinus infections can not only avoid the complications associated with antibiotic use but also help to slow down this growing bacterial resistance.

If a trip to the doctor for antibiotics won't bring you the relief you're looking for, other methods may help your symptoms without costing you that extra trip to the pharmacy. Many people have used a Neti pot or another type of nasal irrigator, with a slightly hypertonic or isotonic solution, to soothe inflamed sinuses and reduce congestion. Of course, there's always chicken noodle soup, a box tissues and a bottle of Nyquil.

Knowing that you can do something to take charge of your allergy symptoms is empowering, especially if you've resigned yourself to the sniffling, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes as facts of your life. Butallergen avoidance and environmental control can really change an allergy sufferer's life.

When implementing an allergen avoidance routine, your first steps should include using basic environmental control products, such as air purifiers in the bedroom and allergy relief bedding. In addition, practicing the following simple daily habits will help keep allergy symptoms in check so that you can live every day breathing better:

• Cleanse nasal passages with a neti pot. Most allergens find their way into your body through your nose. Flushing allergens out of your nasal passages gets rid of many allergens before they can set the allergic response in motion. Keep a neti pot, and safe water, within arm's reach in the bathroom and make a habit of using it every morning and any time allergens are especially pervasive, such as after dusting or when pollen counts are high.


• Prevent dry skin by moisturizing. Slathering lotion on dry skin doesn't do as much as sealing in moisture by applying lotion after washing hands or showering. Overly dry skin can lead to eczema flare-ups, and a compromised skin barrier allows allergens to enter your body through the skin. Be sure that your lotion itself doesn't cause problems; choose moisturizers without fragrances and other irritating chemicals.


• Implement a shoes-off policy. It's astounding the amount of chemicals and allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and more that we track into our homes on our shoes. Make it a practice to take shoes off at the door, and find a way to politely suggest that guests do the same.


• Keep pets out of the bedroom and off of upholstered furniture. For most pet owners, Fido and Fluffy are part of the family. But to reduce allergy symptoms, it's important to keep pets out of the bedroom and off of upholstered furniture in order to reduce the amount of lingering pet dander. Provide designated, comfortable areas for pets to relax and train them to stay away from allergen magnets. For more on pet allergies, see Surviving Pet Allergies


• Check pollen counts. Knowing what you are allergic to and when and where those allergens are abundant is the core concept of all allergen avoidance measures. Especially during spring and fall, check pollen counts and try to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Note that particular times of day can be higher than others.


• Choose allergy-fighting foods. With growing evidence that nutrition plays a vital role both in the formation of allergies and in how susceptible we are to the effects of allergens, learning about foods that help allergies and incorporating them into your diet is another easy way to minimize allergy attacks.

For the second time this year, neti pots have been linked to tragic fatalities via the contraction of Naegleria fowleri , the “brain-eating amoeba”. While this raises alarms over the use of neti pots to relieve congestion and allergy symptoms, the neti pot itself is NOT the problem. Indeed, there is something in the water.

Naegleria fowleri is typically found in warm, freshwater sources and is most often contracted while swimming in lakes, ponds and rivers. Contraction is more common in the American South and Southwest as these areas typically have large bodies of fresh water that remain warm throughout the year. Though the occurrence of contraction is extremely rare, due to the terminal nature of the microbe, reported incidences are often very high profile.

In the most recent instance, a Louisiana woman contracted the Naegleria fowleri after rinsing her nose with tap water. Though chlorination kills most organisms like this, it is not 100% effective. This is believed to be the case twice this year in Louisiana, and currently the CDC is assisting the Louisiana Department of Health in investigating the source of the microbe.

Nearly all types of neti pots recommend using distilled water. Using sterile or distilled water, or even water that is boiled then cooled to room temperature, is safe and effective. And for as much as we would like to believe that the water we consume, cook and bathe with is safe, unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Despite these instances, neti pots remain one of the most effective ways to relieve congestion and rinse away allergens without the use of medication. However, when using a neti pot, please follow the instructions as listed by the manufacturer and remain safe while relieving allergy symptoms.