Does the neti pot burn your nose?

[Barcino]

What am I doing wrong? I have tried the neti pot several times and it burns so bad. I have tried with warm tap water with salt and with the saline packets another time and they both burn. HELP! I want it to work but it burns too much!

[Meiri]

What salt concetration are you using? Sounds like it might be too high to me.

You only need a bit less than 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per 500 ml of water--preferably boiled to kill any germs, and to remove the chlorine. The idea is to be rinsing with an isotonic (close to the same salinity as your body fluids normally are) solution, which is a bit under 1%.

When I've done just a bit more concentrated, so as to draw off exess fluids in my nose, it has stung a bit.

[pixiepunk]

yeah, i agree, sounds like too much salt to me too.

[Barcino]

Thanks! I will try with a little bit less. Yesterday it was not too bad today it burned again like nothing else. I dont get it. I think I put the same amount of saline powder. It is the sinucleanse stuff.

[thixle]

Is the water too hot? It should be just slightly warm.
I always check the salt content by tasting the water- it should be just salty enough to taste like tears (at least that is the best way i can describe it)...
Does the sinuclense stuff have sodium bicarb in it? I tried a pinch one time and it burned...

[Ruthla]

What size neti pot do you have and how much salt are you using? If you have a packet designed for a 16oz neti pot, and you have an 8oz neti pot, then it's going to be too salty.

The pH might also be wrong- try using baking soda for all or part of the salt and see if that feels better.

[beanma]

I have an 8 ounce neti pot and use a quarter teaspoon of neti salt (very finely ground). I don't really enjoy it, but I do use it when I feel something coming on. It doesn't burn, just feels like I've got water up my nose .

[Olerica]

I've also had problems with not enough salt. If reducing the salt doesn't work, try adding a bit more... but the tip above is great - it should taste like tears.

[getting_there]

Mine did that until I reduced the salt by a lot. I was surprised at how little salt I needed in order for it not to sting.

[aprildawn]

I got the sinucleanse one yesterday. The package insert says to use half the salt packet when you're first starting to use the neti pot until you get the hang of it. It only burns where my nose is raw from blowing it so much. Now if I could just get past feeling like I'm drowning when I use it...