how to use neilmed sinus rinse

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Irrigating nasal passages and sinuses rinses out mucus and various irritants such as pollen, dust and bacteria. Sinus rinses give users relief from various nasal symptoms, such as a runny nose or a post-nasal drip. It is suitable for those suffering from allergies and other sinus problems. The NeilMed sinus rinse is a popular type of sinus rinse. You should always read the enclosed brochure in the box for instructions and other important information.^[1]

1
Obtain a Neilmed Sinus Rinse kit. You can get the kit from your local pharmacy or NeilMed's website. NeilMed offers three types of kits:
- The Sinus Rinse Starter Kit includes an 8-ounce (240ml) squeeze bottle and 5 packets of premixed rinse solution.
- The Sinus Rinse Complete Kit includes an 8-ounce (240 ml) squeeze bottle and 50 packets of premixed rinse solution.
- The Sinus Rinse Kids Starter Kit includes a 4-ounce (120ml) squeeze bottle and 30 packets of premixed rinse solution, specially formulated for children.
2

Wash your hands to avoid contaminating the product. The CDC recommends that you use warm water and soap. Scrub your hands for about 20 seconds, or about the amount of time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice.^[2]

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3
Warm up distilled or previously boiled water until it is slightly warm. ^[3] You can warm water up on the stove or in the microwave in a clean safe container. You should warm the water for 5 seconds at a time if using a microwave. It should be at body-temperature, or "lukewarm."
- Do not use water that is not micro-filtered, boiled, or distilled to rinse your sinuses. Tap water may contain microorganisms that could cause illness.^[4]
4

Fill the bottle with the designated amount of water. The correct amount of water should be 8 oz. (240 ml). Your water line should be at the dotted fill line of the bottle. If you are using a Kids Sinus Rinse kit, you will use 4 oz. (120 ml) of water.^[5]
5

Cut the corner of a mixture packet that came with the kit. Don't use your teeth to tear the packet.^[6]
6

Pour the contents into the bottle and tighten the cap. Make sure you screw the cap on tightly so it doesn't fall off in the next step.^[7]
7

Place one finger over the tip and shake the bottle gently. This will allow the saline mixture to dissolve into the water.^[8]

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1

Bend forward over a sink to your comfort level. Tilt your head down and breathe through your mouth, not your nose.^[9]
2

Put the nozzle tip snugly against one of your nostrils. Keep your mouth open, because the mixture can drain from your mouth as well as the opposite nostril. This also reduces pressure on the ears.^[10]
3

Squeeze the bottle gently to force the liquid into your nasal passages. Squeeze until the solution begins to drain from the opposite nostril.^[11]
4

Squeeze the bottle until 1/4-to-1/2 (60-to-120 ml) is used in one nostril. You can use up to half the solution per nostril, but you should always use at least one-quarter of the solution for each.^[12]
5
Blow your nose without pinching it completely shut. Pinching your nose entirely shut would put too much pressure on your eardrums. Then, try sniffing in the remaining solution to help clear out the nasopharyngeal area (at the back of your nasal passages).^[13]
- Tilt your head to the opposite side to expel any remaining solution from your sinuses or nasal passage.
- Spit out any solution that reaches the back of your throat.
6

Repeat the last five steps for the other nostril. Use the rest of the solution.
7

Discard the tiny amount of solution left over. Never store leftover solution. It can breed bacteria.^[14]
8

Disinfect the sinus rinse bottle. Rinse the cap, tube, and rinse bottle with water. Then, add a drop of dishwashing detergent to the bottle and fill it with water. Put the cap on and shake the bottle well. Squeeze the soapy water through the cap. Use a bottle brush to scrub the bottle, cap, and tube. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Air dry the bottle and nozzle on a clean towel or glass plate.^[15]

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Question

What can you do if your nasal passage is too blocked to allow the solution to go through?

Dr. Degrandpre is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is also a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

Try using a hot compress over your head and nose or try a hot shower before using the rinse. Don't try to force the solution through, though!
Question

How many times can I use this on a toddler?

Dr. Degrandpre is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is also a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

Talk to your toddler's pediatrician first, but as long as your toddler sits still for the rinse, you can probably use the rinse twice a day-- make certain you are using the children's strength and follow the directions.
Question

How much solution should be used after sinus surgery?

Dr. Degrandpre is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is also a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

Talk to your surgeon before using any sinus rinse or wash after sinus surgery. You may be asked to wait a few days before using. After a few days, you may not need the nasal wash-- you may just be feeling stuffy because of swollen tissues that almost always occur after surgery.

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Use the nasal rinse at least one hour before bedtime to avoid residual dripping down your throat.
If you have particularly bad sinus trouble, NeilMed manufactures an "Extra Strength" formulation of their sinus rinse.
A rack is available that conveniently holds bottle and nozzle for air drying.
Neilmed kits come with illustrated sinus rinse instructions.

In rare situations, especially if you have had sinus surgery, the saline solution can pool in the sinus cavities and nasal passages and then drip from your nostrils hours after rinsing. To avoid this harmless but annoying inconvenience, take one extra step after rinsing: lean forward, tilt your head sideways and gently blow your nose. Then, tilt your head to the other side and blow again. You may need to repeat this several times.
Do not rinse if your nasal passages are completely blocked or if you have an ear infection or blocked ears. If you have had recent ear or sinus surgery, contact your physician prior to irrigation. If you experience any pressure in the ears or burning in the nasal passages, stop irrigation and get further directions from your physician.
Read and retain enclosed brochure in the box for instructions and other important information.
Always use distilled or micro-filtered (through 0.2 micron) or commercially bottled or previously boiled and cooled down water at lukewarm or body temperature.
- For your safety, do not use tap or faucet water for dissolving the mixture unless it has been previously boiled for five minutes or more as boiling sterilizes the water.
- Other choices are distilled, micro-filtered (through 0.2 micron), commercially bottled or, as mentioned earlier, previously boiled water at lukewarm or body temperature. You can store boiled water in a clean container for seven days or more if refrigerated.
- Do not use non-chlorinated or non-ultra (0.2 micron) filtered well water unless it is boiled and then cooled to lukewarm or body temperature
Always rinse your nasal passages with NeilMed® SINUS RINSE™ packets only.
- Homemade solutions may have incorrect concentrations, leading to inadequate relief or even nasal congestion. Additionally, store-bought table salt and baking soda are not pharmaceutical grade compounds for medical use and may contain impurities.

About This Article

Article SummaryX

A NeilMed sinus rinse can help you flush out mucus and irritants from your sinuses, and the kit should have everything you need to get started. First, wash your hands so you don't spread bacteria. Then, boil some water and let it cool until its lukewarm. Pour this water into the rinse bottle up to the dotted line. Add the mixture packet, hold the opening closed with one finger, and shake up the bottle until the saline is all dissolved. To administer the rinse, first, put 1 nozzle tip snugly against one of your nostrils. Then, gently squeeze the bottle to force liquid into your nasal passages and out the opposite nostril. After you've used half the bottle, switch to the other nostril. To learn how to prepare the rinse bottle for use again, read more from our Naturopathy co-author!

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