Staff Reports
The use of neti pots to clear out those pesky sinuses has been stirring up quite the controversy for years now, but hold on to your hats, folks, because it looks like there’s a new danger in town! According to those smarty-pants over at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nasal rinsing devices like neti pots have been linked to some downright nasty acanthamoeba infections. Yikes!
Scientists discover deadly new risk linked to neti pots https://t.co/rQG9CRdyUD https://t.co/rQG9CRdyUD
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 14, 2024
The CDC bigwig, Julia Haston, told the world in a new report that they’re basically shouting it from the rooftops because they want everyone to know about this risk. And if that wasn’t enough to make you think twice about using a neti pot, the report also gave everyone a good scare about using regular old tap water to flush out those sinuses. Apparently, it could have some seriously fatal consequences.
For those of you who aren’t in the know, a neti pot is this little teapot-looking thingamajig that folks use to pour saline rinse into one nostril and let it flow out the other. It’s like a nasal car wash! But apparently, it can lead to some nasty infections and possibly even death. And here’s the kicker – the use of these neti pots has been skyrocketing in popularity as folks try to clear out their stuffy noses from pesky allergens and respiratory issues.
Now, don’t go thinking that neti pots are the only culprits here. Oh no, there are these cups and squeezable bottles getting in on the sinuses-clearing action too. But wait, there’s more! It turns out that good ol’ tap water, which we use for just about everything, could be harboring some teeny tiny organisms that are not so friendly when it comes to nasal rinsing. The CDC is urging everyone to use boiled, sterile, or distilled water instead. How fancy!
In case you needed some extra convincing, the CDC is throwing out some stats from a 2021 survey that says two-thirds of people think tap water is just dandy for rinsing out their sinuses. Well, think again, folks! Get that fancy water boiling or popping open a nice sterile bottle because those sinuses are not to be messed with!
