Can a Neti Pot Cause Issues in Your Ears?

A neti pot is a container used to manually clear out congested nasal passages suffering from allergies, sinus infections, and colds. To use a neti pot, you dispense a solution of saltwater and other ingredients into one nostril, and they flow out the other nostril, thus flushing out your sinuses.

Chronic sinus issue sufferers have praised neti pots for their potency and holistic nature. This sinus treatment has roots in Indian medicine, and nasal irrigation and similar devices made their way to Western medicine in 1902. In a survey of physicians, 87% recommended nasal irrigation through neti pots to treat sinus issues.

However, this high amount of praise does not come with a considerable about of rebuttal. A 2016 scientific review found saline irrigation was less effective than common over-the-counter steroid nasal sprays. On top of their effectiveness, neti pots have been under fire for the health problems they can bring about should they be used incorrectly.

How to Use a Neti Pot
Neti pots should be used with caution. Depending on where you live, your tap water may be too unsanitary to flush out your sinuses. To be safe, many ENTs for ear infections in Los Angeles recommend that you use bottled water in your neti pot and carefully follow the instructions below:

1. Lean over a sink.
2. Tilt the head to one side so that the forehead and chin are at approximately the same level. This prevents the sterile water or saline solution from getting into the mouth.
3. From this point, breathe through the mouth.
4. Place the spout into the upper nostril.
5. Pour the solution so that it drains through the lower nostril.
6. Clear your nostrils by blowing your nose, and perform the same action again on the other side.

Risks of Using a Neti Pot
Using a neti pot may induce gagging or ear pain. If you experience either of these symptoms, you may be using the neti pot too vigorously and need to let up.

Some people who use neti pots begin to experience discomfort in their ears or Eustachian tubes. This is due to pressure changes when the rinse happens. You may feel like you need to pop your ears.

Using a neti pot too vigorously can also cause you to cough because it will cause fluid to drain down the back of your throat and possibly enter the wrong pipe.

If you are suffering throat and ear pain following neti pot use, your ENT doctor in Los Angeles will recommend discontinuing your use. There are a variety of other methods to relieve sinus congestion that won’t cause painful side effects. Scheduling an appointment with an ENT specialist will give you an idea of which methods will work best for you.