Netti pots are old as the hills, they are basicly nasal douches. For those who cannot take the over the counter remedies for colds and flu they are a god send.

Neti Pot

I had a thread about these wee guys a while back! And I sent for one, which after using for a bit, was relegated to the bottom shelf of the girly bog stuff beautifying tray.

I have been having "nudges" to restart using it. Ho hum... We really SHOULD listen!

NB - It's hay fever season atm - go fer it!

I don't have this pot, but we buy little squeezy bottles of saline solution (or in a spray can) especially made for cleaning babies' and childrens' noses and it is really effective. The same saline solution is also excellent for cleaning your ears and earwax. Good for all ages.

I've got one but unfortunately my sinuses are too bunged to use it without it causing a great deal of pain Pity too, because my hayfever has kicked in big time and I'm really suffering

I got one of these and yes it clears the gunk out, but first I have to go through a migraine as my sinuses sort themselves out again. Once the 48 hours of flashing lights, slurring, falling over and head-banging pain have gone I feel fine. Use with caution...
BM
xx

I've had sinus problems for years. And every morning I'm blowing my nose for half an hour or longer, until I get a cup of tea or something to warm up my mouth and nose.

Recently I was getting pains in my ears, and decided to do something about it.

Yes. Strange idea, really, to put salt water up your nose (down your nose? - it's sort of sideways). But it does seem to make a difference. It made me wonder how in nature, you would have a nose full of salty water...

...so it's reinforced my conviction in Elaine Morgan's Aquatic Ape theory.

I must be descended from the mutant aquatic ape since it hurts me so much. Possibly my gills are still in place...
BM
xx

We'd all be a bit mutated since then.

The neti pot hurts? You aren't sticking it too far up?

Seriously: it doesn't hurt me. I've heard people complaining that the saline solution stings. For me, it's a tickle. Really, it hurts? Do you find the gain worth the pain?

TTT - if it's hurting possibly either the solution is too salty, or - more likely - not saline enough. And are you using natural salt?

If the pain is in your ears, then you are tilting your head too far. Try to keep your head straight, but with forehead forward. Sounds odd, but it was trial and error for me!

Also, sometimes the action of flushing will trigger ear problems. A gentle solution, and FAR more effective, is to drip some glycerine (off a cotton bud) into the ears. This is gentle and relieves any build up of wax/infection much better than olive oil.

Using the neti pot doesn't hurt, it's the inevitable and subsequent ringer of a migraine that hurts! Without fail, an hour or so afterwards I have to lie ina darkened room for 12 hours.
I only use it in dire emergencies when I have a clear weekend ahead of me.
BM
xx

That would put me off completely.