How to Use a Water Pik to Irrigate Your Sinuses

Nasal irrigation consists of flooding your nasal passages with saline solution. Saline solution is a simple sterile water and salt mixture. You can make your own saline solution or purchase it over the counter from a pharmacy. Nasal irrigation is a safe method for children and adults to relieve sinus congestion and dryness.

Things You'll Need

• Water Pik
• Nasal irrigator attachment
• Saline solution

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands thoroughly, including under your fingernails. This is necessary to reduce the risk of introducing any infection into your sinuses.

• 2

  Pour 16 oz. of sterile saline solution into the reservoir of your Water Pik. To make your own saline solution, combine 1 tsp. of pickling salt and 1 tsp. of baking soda into 16 oz. of sterile distilled water. Stir the mixture until it is completely dissolved. The baking soda will aid in removing mucus from your nasal passages.

• 3

  Attach the nasal irrigator to your Water Pik as instructed in the manual.

• 4

  Turn on the Water Pik and adjust it to the lowest setting to check the pressure. The stream should be about 1-inch high when holding the irrigator straight up in the air.

• 5

  Lean over the sink, place the irrigator tip in one nostril and flush your nasal passage until the reservoir is half empty. The saline solution will come out through the opposite nostril. Do not hold your breath. Breathe through your mouth to relax and do not swallow the solution.

• 6

  Switch nostrils and flush the opposite nasal passage until the reservoir is empty.

• 7

  Blow your nose into a soft tissue to remove any remaining mucus and saline solution.