For the last few years I've suffered from terrible allergies. I never had them growing up, and they haven't really been consistant in my adult life. However, this year, like so many others, they have hit me hard. It's especially unpleasant, because my normal remedies (Dayquil, Sudafed, Benadryl, etc) are no-nos during pregnancy. My doctor oked me to take Claritin, but being the nervous nelly that I am, I would rather not take anything. There has been some evidence, albeit inconclusive, linking Claritin to birth defects. While the FDA seems to have deemed it safe during pregnancy, I would rather just avoid it if possible. I don't feel any need to open the door for any risk of harm to the little man if there is an alternative.
Well, yesterday at lunch one of my friends mentioned this product called the Neti Pot. I've heard it mentioned several times throughout the last few years by various people here and there. It always seemed really bizarre to me, but people swear by it. Its an all natural sinus cleanser and, like I said, it gets consistently great rating. I asked Paul to pick one up for me last night on his way home, and being the gem that he is, of course he did.
I knew it was going to be a little awkward, since it is basically sticking a mini tea pot up one nostril and letting the saline solution drain out the other nostril. Nevertheless, I was nervous that I wasn't going to do it right, so Paul came into the bathroom and "spotted" me. Sure enough, it started working. It was a little odd having water flowing from one nostril to the other, but dammned if I couldn't breathe when I was done!
Obviously, it doesn't have the lasting effect of the afore mentioned medications, but its all natural and super easy to do. The directions say you can do it as many times as you want, though I don't see myself in the bathroom at work flushing my sinuses. That may be a little too odd... even for me!
If you suffer from allergies, I highly encourage you to check out the Neti Pot. Even if you are taking cold medicine, this will supplement you routine, and after you get over the slight grossness and feakiness of it, you will be glad you did!
