The use of neti pots and other types of nasal irrigation has been linked to Acanthamoeba infections, an amoeba that may be found in non-sterile water, according to the CDC. Neti pots are commonly used to flush the nasal passages, helping to alleviate allergy symptoms or clear mucus during a sinus infection. The saline solution is poured into one nostril and flows through the nasal passages, exiting the other nostril.
Ten people with Acanthamoeba infections reported practicing nasal irrigation before being infected, with three of them succumbing to the infection. Acanthamoeba can cause two dangerous infections: Acanthamoeba keratitis, affecting the eyes with symptoms like pain, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light, and Granulomatous Encephalitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord leading to severe symptoms like headaches, confusion, seizures, and hallucinations, often resulting in death.
In immunocompromised individuals, Acanthamoeba can also cause skin lesions. The CDC warns that using tap water for nasal irrigation can introduce harmful microorganisms, as tap water is not sterile. It is recommended to use distilled or sterilized water for nasal irrigation, or if using tap water, to boil it and let it cool to lukewarm before use.
Naegleria fowleri, another amoeba known as the brain-eating amoeba, has also been linked to infections from tap water used in nasal irrigation. Educating the public about the risks of using unboiled tap water for nasal rinsing is crucial, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems, to prevent invasive Acanthamoeba infections.
