NeilMed Sinus Rinse Saline Nasal Rinse, Premixed Packets, 50 ct.

Weirdly Awesome - Miss T on Dec 28, 2007 I Like

My story is like many others. I have allergies, and increasingly frequent sinus infections drove me to try this kit (which a sinus surgeon nurse gave me something like 3 years ago and it sat in a drawer in the bathroom till this summer).

Well, it is pretty weird to think about shooting water up your nose (childhood memories of turning upside down in the pool surfaced--ouch) but I finally got desperate enough to try it. And it does feel pretty weird the first few times, but I am now using this twice a day almost every day. It actually feels really good and it is amazing how much gunk comes out even when I feel relatively clear. It's not as entertaining as a Biore strip, but hey, what is?

Here are a few thoughts that are more random than the numbering might indicate:

1. I aim the nozzle tip at the opposite eye rather than straight up, and that seems to rinse better and not give me the upside-down-in-the-pool headache. The headache did happen a couple of times when I first was learning to use it and it hurts just like I remembered. Once I figured out the right angle it doesn't happen, so don't let that deter you.

2. It does travel easily, but my main problem is either being able to boil water or getting distilled water. I do not use water straight from the tap at home (boiling water at home no problem as I have an electric kettle) or traveling (one hotel I stay at frequently has very moldy pipes--can I shoot what I'm allergic to directly into my sinuses? Can I?), and that is the one pita. Otherwise, the packets and bottle are easy. I even carry a dry dock with me to hang it up on the mirror in the hotel.

3. The great thing about this kit is the pressure and speed it moves the saline solution. It actually is kind of "over before you know it." Sometimes one rinse doesn't feel like enough. I tried the 16 oz bottle and the pressure is not as strong. Now I just refill the 8oz if needed and use it twice in one session.

4. Hypertonic (green) vs. isotonic (blue--the ones that come with this kit) saline packets: I use both and don't really know that one helps more than the other. The green can be used with the 16oz bottle to make the regular solution or the 8 oz bottle to make the hypertonic (concentrated) solution. The green sometimes burns a bit. I'm still experimenting.

5. Definitely follow the instructions on heating up the water in the bottle. I fried one bottle because I didn't test my previously boiled water to see how hot it was before I put it in the micro. Normally about 35 seconds gets room temperature water to a good nasal rinse temp for me, but since the boiled water was already warm it got too hot.

6. People will think it quite strange if you give this as gifts. I tried to tell them that "Santa and I were worried about your sinuses" and it just didn't fly.

7. I find the packaging hilariously cheesy, almost like the Dr. Bronner's liquid soap labels (though definitely not as trippy). Don't ever change, Sinus Rinse!

Overall, I am very pleased with this product and think of using it like I think about washing my face, brushing and flossing (though it is recommended that you do this several hours before bed so you don't get a lot of drainage when you lie down--plus you want to allow a little time if you use a spray like Flonase, so I try to do this in the early evening). I have one at home and one for travel, and sadly for the recipients, have given some as gifts.

Oh well, they'll thank me when they pull it out of their bathroom drawer in a couple of years.

The Most Disgusting Thing You'll Ever Love... - Eddie H on May 23, 2009 I Like

A few months ago I got one of the worst sinus infections of my chronic sinusitis sufferer life... It was so bad that my top/left row of teeth hurt like they were being crushed in, no joke.

Since I've gone the antibiotics route so many times before, I feared going that route one more time would end up fueling some sort of mutant bacteria that would eventually jump out of my nostrils and beat my dog up or something... What did my poor little pooch ever do to them??? :(

As I laid in bed, curled up in a ball whimpering, my wife, not able to bear the thought of her husband turning into yet another infantile big baby, decided to take matters into her own hands. She drove off to the pharmacy and returned with a box that looked like a cubed infomercial... Short of asking the camera guy if he was still following, it pretty much had every other base covered. Sham Wow!

Anyway, I was a bit skeptic but in too much pain to really care what the consequences were (which, at this point, I thought would mostly involve my wife's own amusement at my expense)... So, I read the instructions on the outside of the box, the inside of the box, the instruction booklet, the bottle... By the time you're done reading this thing from every flap on the box you'll have a Dr's degree on rinsing your sinuses. Diploma still pending, I filled the thing up with warm water and mixed it in with the provided solution...

I wasted no time... Went straight for the kill. I about passed out when I witnessed what followed... The first words out of my mouth (as soon as all the salty and gooey water finished dripping off of it) were "SWEETIE, COME TAKE A LOOK!"

I never knew such grotesque (spelling?) matter could come out of the human body... At least from that end. I quickly switched to the other nostril and repeated the process... By now I had acquired a strange (and perhaps sick) sense of enjoyment.

The most amazing part (and probably what you're most likely to be interested in) was the almost immediate relief I felt. That is, until my wife had to ruin the moment by saying "Good... Now you can go back to work!"

I continued to use it for a few more days (twice a day) and my sinus infection was completely gone with no antibiotics. And, best of all, my dog gets to live another day! =-D

I've Got My Nose Back! - T. Nemec "vsl2120" on Jan 19, 2008 I Like

I suffered from chronic rhinosinusitis for years. Terrible stuffiness and drainage. I saw several doctors who treated me with various antihistamines, sprays, moisturizers, and even immunotherapy injections. One told me I had to get rid our our two cats. Finally saw a doctor who took me off everything except Nasonex. Then he told me to begin a sinus wash. He gave me a SinusRinse Starter Pack.

The first couple of times I used it I thought it was horrible and I suspected I would discontinue the use of the product. And then a strange thing happened... I began to breath better than I had in years. Air flowed through my nasal passages freely. I smelled things I hadn't smelled in years. The drainage began to decrease. I became more comfortable with the process and soon purchased the extra-large (16oz) Sinus Rinse bottle. Today I use 16oz (two cups) in each nostril twice a day (total 8 cups/day) and I literally cannot believe the difference the sinus rinsing process makes. To those who are turned off by the process the first time you try it, I would say that you get used to the process fairly quickly and while I would not describe it as particularly pleasant, it is not nearly as unpleasant now as the first couple of times I went through the process. And the benefits FAR outweigh any small bit of unpleasantness. The easiest place to perform this is in the shower.

The first week, a lot of mucus was flushed out but since I began using the large bottle and rinsing twice a day, very little excess mucus is in there to be rinsed out. I warm my bottle in the microwave (Careful! You want the water comfortable warm, NEVER hot. ALWAYS TEST the temperature with your finger BEFORE you rinse your nose.)

My doctor recommended NOT purchasing the pre-measured salt packets. It is much cheaper to simply purchase a box of PLAIN salt (i.e non-iodized). I keep a Tupperware container of plain salt in the bathroom with 1/2 teaspoon measure in the container. However, the pre-measured packets sold by SinseRinse are very convenient if you travel or want to keep a rinse bottle at work.

Do take the time to read the handy, one-page instruction sheet that comes with the product.

Final tip: There are pockets in your sinus passages where water collects after rinsing (formerly these pockets contained lots of mucus, dust and allegens). Approx. 10 minutes after your rinse, take several tissues and bend over holding your head upside down. Slowly stand up and these pockets will drain. If you don't remember to do this, you may embarass yourself later in the day if you need to bend over.

Neilmed Sinus Rinse, 1 kit

Sinus Rinse Saved My Sinuses. - Diane D. Chen "Purpl on Nov 6, 2005 I Like

In summary: It is simple, inexpensive, and it works. It is lightweight and easy to take when traveling. No need for an electrical outlet.

For years my allergist nagged me to irrigate my sinuses. But his recommended method was to mix the saline solution, then pour some into the palm of my hand and snort it up my nose. I just kind of gave up on that because 95% of the saline went down the drain - before getting to my nose, but usually after dripping down my arm and all over the bathroom counter.

Then I heard of the attachments for devices like the WaterPik, but they didn't hold up very well (usually broke within 5-6 months), and the waterpik machines kept leaking all over the bathroom counter, so I stopped using them too.

Then, several years ago, my allergist told me about this new product, Sinus Rinse. What a difference it has made! It is *SO* easy to use with the pre-measured packets, that I use it more often than I would ever have considered doing with the old methods.

I'm sure that since using Sinus Rinse, I've managed to fight off some sinus infections that otherwise would have required antibiotics. The pre-measured packets are simple, convenient and inexpensive.

I highly recommend this product.

Less Expensive And 70% Faster Than Neti Pots! - Al on Feb 6, 2008 I Like

This bottle uses active pressure to irrigate sinus passages and works much faster than the gravity driven Neti Pots. I have used both to relief sinus congestion, and would recommend this one without hesitation.

The bottle is a soft plastic that completely compresses to eject the saline. It comes in two easy to clean parts- a bottle and a cap/tube.

I strongly recommend pure salt if you choose make your own mix. Regular cooking and table salt have aluminum and iodine and all sorts of unnatural chemicals you don't want to inject into tissues one inch from your brain.

Allergy Sufferers: Give This One A Try - Amy on Dec 11, 2006 I Like

My doctor at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center allergy/asthma clinic gave me this last week to use twice a day as part of my treatment regime. I'm allergic to pollen, trees, dust and animals, and I've been congested every Feb.-Oct. since moving to Tennessee.

The other meds I was given will take a week to kick in, but I am IMMEDIATELY benefiting from the sinus rinse. My nasal passages are clear for the first time in months and months. I love that they're clear naturally, without another pill. I hear this prevents sinus infections, but as far as I'm concerned this is just a side benefit. The sinus rinse clears my nasal passages and also washes away pollen and dander so it won't irritate me all night as I sleep.

Cleaning out your nostrils every night may not be consistent with your hipster image, and the idea of squirting water into one's nose is uncomfortable for anyone. Please believe me when I say that, if you're congested, the benefits outweigh both of these. I've had a pool-water-up-the-nose phobia since I was a little kid and was dreading this, but it's not bad at all. I wish I'd given it a try months ago.

UPDATE: 1.5 years later

This is still the best asthma/allergy aid I've ever tried. We're in serious pollen season here in Tennessee, and I feel better than I've ever felt in the spring. Over the winter, this was also EXTREMELY helpful when I caught a bad sinus infection that became complicated by my allergies. During that time, I used what the NeilMed instructions call a "hypertonic" solution -- two mix packets instead of one. Again, I have very serious allergies, and this has been so helpful for me. I love no longer being "that person" at the office who is constantly sniffling and sneezing. I know the idea of this is initially a little creepy, but I recommend it -- I wish I had started using it long before I did.

Neilmed Sinus Rinse - > on Jan 24, 2006 I Like

I am 16 years old, and 3 weeks ago I underwent FESS for my left sphenoid sinus and my left maxillary. I also had a concha bullosa, which the ENT took care of. I been having these sinus issues for over a year and a half. After the surgery, I was advised to use Neilmed's sinus rinse (after I got the packing out and 2 weeks after the surgery), and it helped me alot. At first I was afraid to use it, because having water come into one nostril and out the other doesn't seem fun, but I tried it and it took out all that extra drainage stuff which was pretty gross. And I felt SO MUCH BETTER AFTERWARDS. If you have sinus issues, I advise you use this stuff. It works pretty well. But, you have to make sure you don't put too much/too little water. If you do, it will burn when you use the solution. If you do it correctly, you will have no problem at all and it won't hurt one bit. It's relieving, if anything.

Great Product! - Ben M. Cowan on Jan 9, 2007 I Like

After trying many nasal irrigation products including neti pots, nasal syringes and saline solutions, I found that this is the easiest and most sanitary methods to irrigate the nasal passagways. It does a good job of cleaning the sinuses and I have found that using this product during colds has kept me from having recurring sinus and ear infections.

Nothing Complicated It Simply Works - Mary Lou on May 9, 2006 I Like

After 3 sinus surgeries and a screwed up immune system caused by chronic antibiotic use, I went to the ENTs at UVA for a possible revision surgery. I was given the NeilMed Sinus Kit. It sat around the house for 6 months til I got disgusted enough with myself to try it. I had used a bulb syringe before and couldn't imagine this to be much better. I was totally wrong. I probably don't use it often enough but when I get that tell-tale sinus headache of a sinus infection trying to flare up I whip out my Neilmed and start using it 2 times a day. It usually takes about 3 days and I am back to normal. So far I have avoided using antibiotics for my sinus infections for close to a year and haven't had that revision surgery. Its an amazing solution to the problem of allergies and chronic sinusitis. I am looking for the 16 ounce bottle because I always feel that 8 isn't quite enough. Its working well enough but maybe more is better.

Mary Lou

It Works! - W. Oliver on Feb 19, 2008 I Like

A few weeks ago I had severe sinus pressure and a friend suggested that I buy a Neti pot. The pharmacist at the drugstore told me about the Neilmed Sinus Rinse kit and said that he preferred it over the Neti pot because it was easier to use, not as messy and didn't burn. After using it the first time, I was amazed at the relief that I felt almost immediately. I used it for the next two days and on the third day I was over it. I followed the manufacturer's instructions and only used it twice daily. I still use the product any time I feel pressure building or if I get a sinus headache. It is amazing what comes out of your head after using this!

Better Than The Neti Pot - Rueg on Jan 18, 2008 I Like

I used a neti pot for years. I didn't think there could be anything better. I was wrong. With the neti pot, the only time mucus would come out is while blowing my noise after doing it. With this the mucus comes out while doing it. You also don't have to bend over and twist your head and body like you have to do when using a neti pot. The neti pot is based on gravity. This item works by pressure. Since I am not bending down as much and turning my head a lot less water ends up in the ears also. It also feels much better. The pressure rinse is the way to go. Wish I would have tried it and switched over to it long ago. The only reason I have it 4 and not 5 is because it is a slight pain to get the salt into the container. They should have included a small funnel.

Skeptical But It Really Does Work - Amazon Bee on Nov 16, 2006 I Like

I was told to try this by my ENT doctor in order to prevent me from having surgery. It sounded absolutely disgusting and was something I really didn't want to try. In fact, really one of the only reasons I gave in and tried it was because of the reviews on Amazon.

So I thought I would now add my two cents. I have been using Sinus Rinse for now a month. So far I have been cold free (keeping my fingers crossed) and am able to breathe much easier. I am used to getting sinus infections every two to three weeks so this is an amazing change. My frequency of sinus headaches has improved as well as I rarely have any more post nasel drip.

Yes, it is disgusting to use. But you get over it. After the first week I became a pro at doing the rinse. It usually takes less than two minutes to do both nostrils. The prep time is very simple. I just take purified water from faucet water filter and add the pre-mixed packet to the bottle.

I have to add that I am using this in combination with a prescription nasal spray so this might have contributed to the positive effects of the product. But overall I am now totally sold on the Sinus Rinse.

Great Stuff Not Unpleasant - xelaju on Nov 13, 2007 I Like

I expected this feel like water going up my nose when I jump in a swimming pool. It didn't. The packets match the slinatity of your boby and as long as you don't use too much presure it's very pleasant. I don't recomend using it when you are congested. In my experience the water gets forced into the ear because it cannot get bast the congestion.

I have had chronic post nasal drip sinse moving to Florida. I've taken claritin algrea zurtec benedryl etc.. They all worked for a time and then stopped working. They also had unpleasant side effects. Now I just do the rinse in the morning and at night. It's eliminates the drip and I am medicine free.

By the way, if I start to get a sinus infection I add a very little bit of hydrogen peroxide to the rinse. I stress a very little bit. Definately no more than a centimeter in the bottom of the bottle. It burns a little bit but it stops the infection in its tracks. I've tried stronger solutions of hydrogen peroxide and it's quite unpleasant. The peroxide releases heat and expands quite a bit. Not a good thing in small nasal passages.

Pre- And Post-surgery Use - Paul H. Darby III on Nov 17, 2006 I Like

I underwent maxillary sinus surgery two weeks ago. The ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor prescribed this type of rinse to be performed twice-daily prior to the surgery and 3-4 times post surgery. I flushed 6-8 times in the days immediately following and it did not hurt at all. I have tapered the rinses off to two a day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon (too late in the day and you may get post-nasal drip when you sleep). I plan to continue rinsing my entire life. Other thoughts: 1) the bottle provides excellent flow control, not like Neti pots which rely on gravity, 2) the 16 oz bottle may be more useful for some (I plan to order it), 3) the designer of this product provides an excellent pamphlet and answers many questions, and 4) the ENT considered this procedure as the single most important element of my recovery and continued sinus health. I believe many people could avoid surgery by practicing good sinus health with this type of product.

I Can Breathe Freely Now, The Snot Is Gone! - P. B. Russo "makeup on Feb 8, 2008 I Like

A month ago my head was so stuffy I literally couldn't breathe. I was on Zyrtec, Cingulair and an inhaler for my allergies. In a move of desperation, I went to the drugstore to find a sinus rinse (my aunt had told me about her Neti Pot 6 months earlier, but I was not ready to try it at that point). I found the NeilMed Sinus rinse kit, brought it home and used it immediately.

What a cheesy box to contain such a terrific product. I am now down to Claritan only, and I feel much better than I have in years. I'd literally forgotten what it felt like to be able to breathe. Actually, the sinus rinse works so well that there are days that I can't wait to get back home to use it again, I've become so spoiled by breathing unobstructed. I may pick up a second bottle to keep at work.

Is it the most comfortable thing you'll ever intentionally do to yourself? No, but it certainly is not awful. It's weirdly gratifying to see some of the junk that gets rinsed out, too. I'm so happy to have found this product - perhaps I'll actually be able to breathe during allergy season this year.

Awesome! If You Have Sinus Problems, It Will Change Your Life!, - Silver Bear on Jan 7, 2008 I Like

If you have sinus problems this will help greatly. When I told my doctor about this he told me that he advises patients to buy this ALL the time. He swore that he told me, but he hadn't. I have not had a sinus infection or sinusitis since I started using this about 9 months ago. I have purchased over 20 kits for friends and relatives. They, too, have been very pleased. Use it regularly (twice daily) for three weeks and you will be hooked!

Nobody Ever Told Me! - A. Hopewell on Sep 2, 2007 I Like

My nasal allergies started as a teenager and have increasingly become worse as I've gotten older. I've tried numerous allergy meds and nasal sprays to no avail. A co-worker recently freed from sleepless nights and miserable days due to sinus issues told me about Neilmed Sinus Rinse. I have been using it a week and have never felt so clear. I can BREATHE through my nose with no clogged feeling or my face hurting due to sinus pressure. I will say that the first time I used it I was shocked at what came out of my head. It was no wonder I felt clogged - I was! You won't be sorry to try this product.

GIve Your Sinuses A Head Start - Joe Barfield on Nov 9, 2005 I Like

I live in San Antonio. There's all sorts of pollen in the air, including the dreaded mountain cedar.

Our sinuses are the first defence in filtering out pollen. That stuff has to go somewhere. The filtered stuff can be blown out into a Kleenex, can go down your throat, or (worse) puddle around in your swollen sinuses. That could lead to chronic and acute conditions

The Neilmed rinse bottle is an easy and convenient way to rinse the gunk away. I like to rinse before going to bed, that way I know my body can rest rather than process and clean out a bunch of residual pollen and crud in my sinuses.

And the best part is- the ladies think sinus irrigation is sexy!

Neil Meds Sinus Rinse ROCKS! - Sarah "sarah" on Jan 16, 2008 I Like

I have suffered with severe allergies all of my life, but I do a LOT better now with this sinus rinse. It really helps so much! I have to use it 2 times per day, or I can feel sinus infections coming on. It is so worth it! It is not the most glamorous thing to have to do, irrigating your sinuses, but remember: it will help keep you from getting sick.

I was having severe problems with my voice about 4 years ago when my ear, nose & throat doctor recommended this. he said: "If you don't do this, you will suffer all the time with this mess". So, i decided to give it a try and, combined with allergy shots and other oral meds, I do great with Neil Med's. I highly recommend it!!!

Worked Well - M. Bussio "MB" on Oct 6, 2005 I Like

I have used this and helped a lot with sinus pressure. I think if you are pro-active then you can use this to fight off a sinus infection. My 10year old uses the pediatric version and a lot of mucus drained out. Logic says that's a good thing. It's kind of icky to shoot water up your nose but it's very logical that cleaning out mucus full of bacteria would be very good. (no harsh effects at all).

Allergy Sufferer Here - Eclectic Music Lover on Mar 28, 2008 I Like

I'll start this review with some background on me, so you can compare how similar the experiences match up.

I've had allergies for years. I was taking Dristan/Chlortimeton way back in the 8th grade. Later on, I did the immunotherapy/allergy shots. Nothing helped. Except for Nasonex and Clarinex. But wanted to stay away from the harsh chemicals so I found this.

I've been using Sinus Rinse for approx. 3 weeks now (3 weeks ago was when the allergy season usually starts for me and I start using Nasonex/Clarinex every day). I think I can say that I've been toughing it out and haven't resorted to Nasonex/Clarinex yet.

With rinsing twice a day, I'm ok. On the medium to high pollen count days, I do have to take Sudafed and/or a Tylenol. So, I'm not completely "cured" and still congested. But, I'm much better off than I've ever been without the Rinse.

The product itself is fairly simple to use. There is a sense of that "nose up the water" effect when swimming, if you've experienced that before. I don't particularly like the plastic smell but I think the bottle needs to be plastic for it to apply the pressure.

I'll try to keep this review updated as the allergy season progresses.

May 12 Update:
It's been about 2 months and I've used this pretty religiously, 2x/day. On really bad pollen days, I've had to resort to a Sudafed, Tylenol or combo of both. Otherwise, I've been ok so far. I'm still careful not to spend too much time outdoors and I can feel the congestion starting on those bad days but it's nothing like I've ever had before. In the past, I would've been taking Nasonex/Claritin for 2 months by now. Hopefully, I'm like the reviewer who's been using this for 6 years successfully.

June 9 Update:
Now about 3 months approx. Using it almost 2x/day (occasionally 1x/day). There were a few days there where I was sorely tempted and miserable but toughed it out and did not resort to Nasonex/Claritan. It is remarkable that for 3 months now I've not used Nasonex and Claritin. Oh and I'm still congested most of the time, but it is bearable.

March 6 2009 update:
I had tapered down to 1x/day (but using the full bottle in each nostril) somewhere around October or November I think. And until now, I've been ok. I won't say that I didn't get colds/flu. I think I still got something but it wasn't as bad as it could've been. I have not used Nasonex or Claratin or Tylenol since using this thing. Again, there were times I was tempted but I toughed it out.

Like clockwork, I started to feel the pressure on my eyes, the burning eye sensation. And I started having a sneeze here or there a few days ago. So, I think I'm starting to feel allergy season is coming and I need to start back on 2x/day.

March 20, 2010 update:
I can feel the season start to come on a little like in previous years. I'm still using this, 1x/day, 1 full bottle in each nostril. And when the allergy season gets in full swing, I'll go up to 2x/day (1 full bottle/each nostril). I did that last year during the tough months. It's been working for me so far and I hope it continues to work for me. My bottle is looking a little dirty, so I'm overdue for a new one. My advice is to try and rinse/soak/wash with bleach water every so often or just buy a new bottle.

Excellent Product! - E! on Mar 31, 2011 I Like

I was given a NeilMed Sinus rinse by my allergist. I had used a Neti pot in the past and didn't really like it that much (messy, hard to mix and often burned my nose). I was a little wary of this product as well. I was totally wrong. The SinusRinse is much better than a Neti pot. It is easier to use, mix, and I love the premixed packets. I have never experienced any discomfort with this product except when I accidentally get the water too hot. I would recommend this to anyone with allergies or to anyone who feels a cold coming on.

Effective Relief For A Myriad Of Upper Respiratory Problems! - Primadogga on Dec 6, 2008 I Like

My ENT handed me one of these units after a visit a few years ago, but I didn't immediately latch onto it. Since I dug it out and started using it, I've found that twice-daily use WILL keep me infection-free.

I like this system! The low pressure of the squeeze bottle gives a little turbulence but is not harsh, and the volume of irrigant is adequate to effectively clean the nose. I now recommend it to almost any patient who comes in with an upper respiratory problem.

For chronic sinusitis, irrigation washes out bacteria and inflammatory mediators, and loosens hardened secretions. People with allergies can use it to rinse out pollen and other particles. Those who are exposed to dusts and other irritants can now rinse them out. I even found that during a recent bad cold, this was the only thing that reduced my nasal misery!

During the winter, when humidity is low, irrigation becomes absolutely critical to moisturize the nose and keep secretions flowing.

A few tips to aid use:
- First, it is fine to use the tap water in most of the US. People with un-chlorinated well water probably DO want to boil it before use, but the rest of us can just turn on the tap.
- Secondly, the temperature of water you want to use is a little cooler than what you would want to use to bathe or shower, and warmer than lukewarm.
- The stronger the salt solution, the more water it will pull out of your nasal tissues, and the more it will reduce swelling, though it may burn. You can play with the concentration by using more or less water, or an extra salt packet, or the hypertonic packets.
-I make my own salt mix: combine 2 parts of canning salt (you want to avoid not the iodine, but the anti-caking agents in table salt) with one part of baking soda in an airtight container, then use about 1/2 teaspoon per bottle (more to make a stronger solution). However, only those with a high tolerance for adventure should use this mix when traveling, lest TSA get excited about that white powder! It's good to keep some packets on hand for traveling.
- Irrigation not only helps your nose get better, it helps you monitor how your nose is doing. If you are getting globs of pus out of your nose, you have a sinus infection (sinusitis). Twice-daily irrigation will usually start the infection clearing, and you will see that the pure pus gives way to large volumes of pus-tinged mucus, then decreasing amounts of clear mucus.
- You may get random drips out of your nose after irrigation, so it is good to have a couple of tissues in your pocket in case they hit!

Nasal irrigation IS the best way to control chronic sinusitis. It will reduce populations of bacteria AND fungi, and you don't have to worry about antibiotic resistance OR yeast infections or diarrhea, or increased blood pressure as you see with decongestants. It is less expensive than nasal steroids.

AND, it is safe to use in pregnancy, or with kids. My nurse's son LOVES his irrigator and it has taken care of his chronic sinusitis - no more bad little-boy breath! Even my fuss-bucket 8-year-old loves to gross his father by showing off the disgusting stuff he has gotten out of his nose.

In summary, this is definitely worth a try if you have nasal problems. Use it twice a day for at least two weeks to really get an idea of how it works. IF you are seeing changes in the quality of your nasal secretions, bear with it; you will be glad you did.

Great Product - 2MuchCoffee (AA) on Jul 17, 2008 I Like

They really need to do something about the packaging. It looks like one of those 'As seen on TV' chintzy packages screaming - 'Don't buy me, I don't work'. On the contrary - this product works very well and is very easy to use.

For those that get the 'water up the nose into the head' effect, the following may help:
1. Relax - lean over the sink - rest your elbows etc.
2. Don't consciously hold your breath.
3. Leave your mouth relaxed and open - its an alternate path out for the excess water
4. Don't try to get all 4 ounces through one nostril in 4 seconds - slow down until you get the hang of it.

The nurse gave me the go-ahead to use this 4-5 times a day but as always you should check with your own doctor.

Rinse Worked For Me - Lawrence W. Nichols on Apr 27, 2008 I Like

Neilmed Sinus Rinse, 1 kit
I don't have any allergies and I don't have a cold, but I seem to have excess mucous (post nasal drip) that makes me clear my throat quite often. That's annoying. I use the Sinus Rinse once a day and it helps. It doesn't clear the problem completely, but I'm noticeably better

Seems To Be A Help When Needed. - J. Flood on Apr 10, 2008 I Like

I use this when I feel allergies or a cold coming on. It does help with allergies right away and seems to lessen the problems with colds. Not the most pleasant sensation, but definitely worth it for the benefits. Follow the directions and use warm water....

Terrificly Effective - A2900 "A2900" on Feb 3, 2008 I Like

I live with a physician and have enjoyed both good health and good care for a number of years, but last year I developed an intractable sinus infection with a terrible cough. We tried all sorts of things -- even other nasal rinses -- but this was the only thing which was effective (until I eventually had surgery). A worthwhile item, in my opinion.

It Works - L. E. Pierce "washin on Dec 28, 2007 I Like

I need to do it more...when I do it, it works.

Allergies all my life, an adult child of second hand smoke all my 0-18 life and grew up during the years of Pittsburgh, Pa. pollution. I have had sinus infections all my adult life, pneumonias and pleurisies and pneumonitis as a child.

I am allergic to everything...even some fungus that lives in dirt that is blown in the wind...from the next state I guess.

Currently, I am getting shots..it is helping. Same Doctor gave me the Neilmed product a few years ago. When I use it it works. After reading these reviews, I know I need to use it more often - faithfully. I thought about getting the more expensive pulsing electric rinser, but I know this less expensive product works and I have seen the result...imagine if I really do it 2x a day!!

I have to add - My son's pediatrician suggested he use it for his allergies. Well...my 16 year old skateboarding/snowboarding teenager likes it enough and has seen enough results to use it consistently 1x a day. (I'll take 1x a day even though 2x is better)

Must Have/use - Lisa Cothron "Lisa C on Oct 14, 2006 I Like

The allergist gave my daughter a pediatric bottle. I bought the adult bottle and want the larger one. It has enabled me to stay off antihistimine pills. It has kept my daughter from getting very sick every few weeks from her vasomotor rhinitis (especially now that she is back in public school with all the viruses.) We try to use it twice a day, even if we are feeling no symptoms: it keeps symptoms from appearing. If we do get congested, we use it more than twice a day. It keeps the symptoms from worsening and makes me feel better. This is not a luxury, it should be part of your daily routine like brushing and flossing.

Ear Problems - john on Feb 20, 2009 I Like

Do not use if you are congested. Water will follow the path of least resistance and go into the ear. Water in the ear canal is bad for those of us that have poor estacion tubes or already have ear problems.

GREAT PRODUCT - Jerry H. Bond on Mar 1, 2007 I Like

I haven't had a cold, allergy or sinus infection since I began using Neilmed Sinus Rinse. That was over two years ago. Why didn't somebody come up with this product 40 years ago?

Awesome Until You Accidentally Push The Solution Into Your Ears - BEWARE - lilyduck on Dec 3, 2010 I Like

I used this product with great success many times for congestion and sinus relief. One unfortunate night something went wrong, the company says "I blew too hard" or "used too much pressure". Whatever happened, water went into my ears and I have been in severe pain for days. I'm talking about horrible, head-spitting pain that leaves you writhing on the floor - pain that rivals childbirth! If you google "NeilMed ear pain", there are lots of results of similar things happening to others. Use at your own risk, if you use this product slightly wrong, you might end up in horrible horrible pain. I never thought ears could cause this much trouble!

I suspect that this product will eventually be pulled from the shelf, there are too many credible reports of this happening to too many people.

Simple And Effective - Bigwig Y on Apr 27, 2011 I Like

This NeilMed sinus rinse became popular among my relatives a few years ago. As usual, I did not pay attention to their "health stuff" fever, but I tried it anyway because I wanted to soothe my itchy nose. For a couple of times I used it without reading direction and used cold water and got terrible pain in my nose. People, you must use water at abour your body temperature; otherwise water stings your nose really badly. In addition, you must use salt packet as well. Without salt, you will feel like drowning in a swimming pool!

Once I got used to using it, I fell in love with this sinus rinse. It really gives refreshing and clean feel to my nose. I gave this product to my friends as a gift because I like it so much.

I found when I look straight ahead while using it, small volume of salt water comes out of my mouth and that helps clean my nasal cavity more effectively.

This is a simple yet helpful, effective, and brilliant product!

So Far, So Good - Ariel Reilmann on Jan 2, 2011 I Like

I have heard from numerous people that this product would clear my sinuses and make me feel worlds better, as I currently am 8 1/2 months pregnant, and suffering from a seemingly never ending cold. So I went out and got this little $11 kit, and I tried it for the first time tonight. First thing that kind of startled me, was it definitely felt exactly like I had gotten pool water up my nose, or at least similar to the sensation with out all the burning because of the chlorine. That in its self was a bit off putting, but I figured what else is it going to feel like? So I kept on, but it was a little slow going for me. I dont know if I wasnt squeezing the bottle hard enough, but it seemed like it took longer than it should have for each half of the bottle.
And one thing I kind of wish didnt happen, did. Some of the solution did end up coming out of my mouth, but it wasnt horrible. Just mildly gross. After I was finished with the bottle, I blew my nose like they instructed *with out putting pressure on my nose so as not to affect my ears with pressure* and I was amazed. It got ALL the gunk out that Ive been suffering with. Definitely worth the money, and i hope it continues to do just as good of a job as it has.

Works Exactly As Advertised. - starstuff "we are al on Jan 27, 2008 I Like

This is a very nice product and works exactly as advertised. I only needed to use it twice a day for the first week, and now I just use it occasionally as needed. It has significantly decreased my congestion and my tendency to get sinus headaches. Thanks a lot!

Big Help For Chronic Sinus Problem - Breese Remele on Aug 2, 2011 I Like

I was using a Neti Pot for my chronic sinus problems and it was helping. My doctor recommended these NeilMed bottles and gave me one. He said they go up a little higher than Neti Pots. I didn't use it for several months but then went on vacation and took this instead of the heavier, breakable pot. I loved it. It really does seem to work better. When I bend over to let the water drain, a lot comes out and with the Neti Pot it didn't. It's also very convenient so I use it more.

...And You Can Make Your Own Solution - Anthony Scott on Jun 11, 2011 I Like

I used to get "allergy shots", which did little to no good. I used to have suffer so badly in the month of May that it took an oral steroid to open my ears/sinuses. I used to take Allegra D every day. I began using the NeilMed Rise kit approximately 4 years ago. I no longer get injections. I no longer need a steroid in the spring. I no longer take Allegra D (though I do still take regular Allegra at the peak of allergy season). This thing works great for both me, and my wife. We use it daily, and twice daily during bad colds/allergy season.

Some users have posted that they have had problems with water getting into their ear canals. I too have experienced this when getting used to the product. I discovered that this problem was alleviated (at least for me) by squeezing the bottle more gently and more slowly. We have also been using a homemade solution of baking soda and table salt which is very simple:

- Equal parts baking soda and table salt
- 1 teaspoon of above solution mixed with 8oz. warm water in
That's it, and it cost next to nothing to make.

Relief For Nasty Sinus Infection; Should I Use For Seasonal Hay Fever?? - DMM "gankolady" on Apr 6, 2011 I Like

Last fall, a cold that would just not go away took a turn for the worse and I woke up with the most severe face/cheek and tooth/gum ache! After striking out at dentist (phew-not a cavity!) I tried my HMO and sure enough they gave me antibiotics and NeilMel Sinus Rinse for a "severe sinus infection." I have suffered from hay fever for decades, but NEVER anything this painful. I also never tried sinus rinsing, but the Indian doctor guy on the instructions gave me a sense of holistic hope. Wow, it was weird but felt GOOOOOOOD. And yes, the thrill of seeing the gunk draining out of your nose/mouth. My kids were initially thrilled to watch me do it, but as I got better, I stopped. Now.....I am wondering should I do this for my hay fever too? I am so stuffed! And I'm on prescription strength antihistamines!

This Stuff Is Amazing - J. Pruitt "FTW" on Apr 6, 2011 I Like

This stuff is amazing. Since I started using it I have much less post nasal drip (which means less coughing), the inside of my head feels cleaner and less stuffy and I can breath much more easily. I do this every morning along with washing my face, brushing my teeth and flossing. It's like starting my day with a new head.

It's also been my experience that using this stuff reduces the misery of flu and cold symptoms. Also, when I have used it while being sick I've found that I have had less instances of getting a respiratory infection from a head cold moving down into my chest than I had when I didn't use it. I think it's because I don't have as much gunk dripping down into my lungs while I'm sleeping if I clean out with this stuff.

Better Than A Neti Pot - K. Clark on Sep 10, 2010 I Like

I have infrequent allergies and have found that neti pots simply do not have the pressure to clear some of the worst congestions allergies can bring about. They rely on gravity, which often isn't enough, whereas this product relies on pressure delivered by squeezing it. The pressure is not so much as to be painful, however. Depending on how bad your congestion gets, this may be a better option for you than a neti pot, which are really only good for clearing loose dust, pollen and light deposits of mucus; not for breaking up tough congestion. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who suffers from nasal congestion due allergies or even colds. It truly does work, in most cases.

Seems To Do What It Says It Will - muroo on Dec 2, 2009 I Like

I have yet to use this product on one of my very stuffed/allergic days. Currently I'm using it to alleviate cat allergies since I just started fostering cats even though I'm allergic. I don't see all the amazing gunk coming out that others have reported, except sometimes from my throat when the rinse ends up there and I spit it out. (I haven't found anyone else with this problem...) It's probably good to get that area cleaned too though. (It happens when one side is pretty stuffed...)

Perhaps I haven't had any particularly stuffed days because I started using it though! It's definitely worth a try and it's my favorite part of my daily routine. I like the idea of rinsing out the nasal passages as it can only really do good and no harm if you use a saline solution.

Also the bottle is much easier to use than the neti pot I tried once. As much as I liked what it added to the bathroom decor...

Another Convert, Really The Best Money I Have Spent In A Long Time. - Two kids mom "scienc on Apr 6, 2008 I Like

I agree with all the other reviews, it is a little wierd, it takes some getting used to, and soon you will find that you are addicted to using it, since you can breathe freely afterwards. A few other comments,
1. I use mine in the shower, this minimizes the "clean up" after you end up blowing the excess out of your nose afterward.
2. This is an EXCELLENT solution for pregnant or breastfeeding moms with allergies. You will not have to worry that you are harming your baby (it is just a saline solution and does not get into your bloodstream).
3. My 12 year old son suffers from allergies and I showed him the process. He thought it was totally gross. However, when I told him I would give him an extra hour of video gaming to try it, he did. After a few days he would actually ask me to do it even without the bribe because he felt so much better afterward.

Product Details

Tags

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews