Quote:Stuffy sufferers who rely on neti pots for sinus relief face a new threat, but can avoid risks with some simple steps.

The news that two neti pot users in Louisiana died from a brain-eating amoeba has prompted an alert and a health warning from experts.

The pot, which resembles a small watering can or teapot, is still highly recommended by doctors for patients who suffer from sinus congestion.

It’s not the the neti pot itself that can be harmful, it’s the liquid that people use to irrigate sinuses that can cause harm, said Dr. Satish Govindaraj, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Govindaraj, who recommends the neti pot to many patients, offers this advice:

Keep it clean: Make sure you wash the pot regularly with hot water and a little antibacterial soap. Clean it every day.

Don’t use tap water. Govindaraj recommends using distilled water or premixed packages of solution.

Replace your pot. Get a new one every few months. The hot water and washing can cause the plastic to weaken over time.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/neti-pots-brain-eating-amoeba-scare-sinus-sufferers-article-1.992895#ixzz1gof3ioVc

(12-17-2011, 03:39 PM)Smegma Wrote: I was told these things work great but I'd probably end up inhaling at the wrong time and be the first person to die of neti pot drowning.