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@harrysnc I do this sometimes with another device when I have post-nasal drip or other mucus. I was never able to master the Neti-Pot and ended up choking a lot.
The main precaution I take is to use boiled distilled water to make the solution. It has been stressed by Dr Joseph Falkinham, one of the recognized authorities on NTM in water, that there is no guarantee that distilled water is bottled in sterile conditions. Another choice would be to use sterile water as is available for flushing wounds and IV's, but it can be very expensive, and excess must be discarded after 24 hours as no longer sterile.
When I travel, instead of messing with sterilizing water, and toting my nasal irrigation supplies, I substitute buffered aerosol saline nasal wash. Arm & Hammer makes one called "Simply Saline", I believe there are generics out there too. More expensive, but so convenient.
Sue
Replies to "@harrysnc I do this sometimes with another device when I have post-nasal drip or other mucus...."
Since I rinse my nasals often I wanted more info on this topic. I agree in the ideal world distilled water then boiled and cooled would be best. That can get expensive unless you own a home distiller. According to NeilMed, boiled tap water is acceptable for nasal rinsing.
"Additionally, 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. Do not rinse if your nasal passages are completely blocked or if you have an ear infection or blocked ears."
Love the idea for short trips to use a prepackaged buffered aerosol saline wash. That solves a lot of time and potential worry!
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Is it possible to use tap water which has been boiled for 10 minutes in a Neti-Pot? Why use distilled water? Just wondering.....thanks!