No More Sinus Infections - Sinus Problems Message Board

kmartian · 06-14-2004, 08:49 PM

Hopefully this suggestion may help someone else. I had been getting severe headaches and sinus infections every 6 - 8 weeks for years and taking a lot of antibiotics. I saw a new doctor earlier this year, and after some tests, he told me I had a deviated septum above my eye that was causing blockage and preventing proper drainage. He said surgery may not work in my case, so had me begin cleaning my nostrils twice a day by squirting up a mixture I make up weekly of 1 quart water, 2 - 3 teaspoons of pickling (canning) salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Although I still get a sinus headache every so often, I no longer get sinus infections.

I have passed this suggestion on to a number of my friends, and they have all had some improvement with it.

Haullie · 07-02-2004, 01:17 PM

Can you tell me how it is that you went about squirting this up your nose? I would like to try it but they don't sell many things to use for squirting purposes lol. So what do you use to squirt that goo up your nose man? Thanks, that seems so simple.

kmartian · 07-03-2004, 11:10 AM

Hi Haullie. I use a rubber bulb syringe, but you can also use a large medical syringe or a Waterpik. You can buy a bulb syringe at any pharmacy or retail store. They are usually used on children to clean their nose or ears. The steps are:
1. Pour some of the mixture into a clean bowl. You can warm it in the microwave, but I don't. If you warm it, make sure it is NOT HOT.
2. Fill the syringe with water from the bowl. Be sure to always rinse the syringe before reinserting it into the bowl so it does not contaminate the water.
3. Stand over a sink or in the shower and squirt the salt water into each nostril. Aim the stream toward the back of your head, not the top of your head. This lets you spit some of the mixture out of your mouth. It will not hurt if you swallow a little of it.
4. If you use a nasal steroid, always use the salt water mixture FIRST then the steriod. The steroid will reach deeper into the nose and sinuses once the nasal membranes have been cleaned.

Be sure to stir the mixture before each use, store it at room temperature, and make a new batch each week, throwing out any unused mixture.

Hope this helps.