Using Tap Water in Neti Pots Can Cause Deadly Infections, CDC Warns

Distilled, sterile, or boiled water is recommended to avoid contamination risk.

Zaruna/Shutterstock

As springtime blooms burst, millions brace for the onslaught of sneezing, wheezing, and relentless nasal congestion that is allergy season. Many turn to neti pots, which flush out pollen and mucus with a saline rinse, for drug-free relief.

However, research shows that tap water may contain organisms that can cause rare but often deadly infections if used improperly for nasal rinsing.

Fatal Cases Spur CDC Neti Pot Alert

Neti pots are designed to flush debris and mucus from nasal cavities with water. People often use them to alleviate nasal allergies, sinus issues, dry air irritation, or colds.

However, recent research by the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) suggests that using tap water for nasal rinsing increases the risk of contracting rare but serious infections with Acanthamoeba, microscopic organisms commonly found in soil, water, and air.

These single-celled organisms may cause a range of symptoms and are fatal in 82 percent of cases, though infections are still rare, affecting only three to 12 Americans annually.

Although many are exposed to Acanthamoeba, few become ill. Acanthamoeba can cause:

• Acanthamoeba keratitis, an eye infection risking permanent vision impairment, especially for contact lens wearers
• Granulomatous amebic encephalitis, a serious brain and spinal cord infection in immunocompromised patients
• Disseminated infection, a widespread bodily infection affecting the skin, sinuses, lungs, and other organs that is more common in immunocompromised people

The study examined 10 immunocompromised patients with HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, or cancer who had used neti pots and subsequently contracted Acanthamoeba infections. Seven patients survived, likely because of underlying sinus infections prompting early treatment.

Acanthamoeba infection, especially when it affects the brain or the central nervous system, has very few effective treatment options, Dr. Thomas Gut, associate chair of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times.

“Most of these brain infection cases do eventually progress to death,” he said.

Dr. Gut was not involved in the study.

Proper Use of Nasal Rinsing Devices

The U.S. water supply is well-maintained and generally safe. Tap water typically doesn’t contain significant levels of bacteria or protozoa dangerous to humans, Dr. Gut said.

“Most public water supply systems do use several methods to prevent dangerous bacterial overgrowth,” he added.

Nasal irrigation devices such as neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and battery-operated pulsed water devices are considered safe and effective when used and cleaned properly, Dr. Eric A. Mann of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

However, the agency warns that although tap water is safe for drinking since stomach acid kills microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and amoebas present in low levels, it shouldn’t be used for nasal rinsing. These organisms can survive in nasal passages, potentially causing serious infections.

Instead, use distilled, sterile water (easily found in stores), tap water boiled for three to five minutes and then cooled, or water passed through a filter designed to trap infectious organisms for nasal irrigation.

To reduce the risk of waterborne infections, in addition to ensuring the water is uncontaminated, properly wash your hands, keep the neti pot clean and dry, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.