Neti Pot

[Cindy]

Hi Dr. Latkany,

I have been reading about the neti pot for relief from sinus and allergy problems through nasal irrigation. According to Wikipedia and some other alternative sites, using a neti pot will rinse pollen, dust, pollution etc. out of nasal passages and sinuses and also "clean the tear ducts enabling better cleaning and moistening of the eyes". Do you think the 'cleaning tear ducts' thing is true? And if so, of how much benefit would that be? Also, would using a neti pot affect lower punctal plugs?

From what I've read, using a neti pot will thin mucus secretions (lovely topic, huh?). Might that, and rinsing out dust, pollen etc. have a positive result for people who are beleaguered by mucus strings?

Thank you.

[Robert Latkany MD]

These questions are getting tougher and more interesting.

Neti pots.

I think the claim is a bit of a reach. I do propose cleansing but any stimulation of the nasal passages will reflexively make you make more tears. Try it yourself. Stick a q-tip up your nose and you will make more tears. (please do not try this at home) Unless of course you have an advanced case of Sjogrens where you may not be capable of making this reflex tear.

I have no experience with neti pots but I cannot see any bad issues with them. But we can all make certain claims. Whether or not they are true is a different issue.

Please let us all know if ti works for you.

Dr L