Complications of nasal irrigation include irritation of the nasal passages due to extreme temperature of the irrigation solution. Rarely, irrigation fluid may enter the windpipe in people with a poor gag reflex.

This is called nasal irrigation.

Nasal irrigation should not be performed on people who have frequent nosebleeds; have recently had nasal surgery; or whose gag reflex is impaired, as fluid may enter the windpipe.

One benefit of nasal irrigation in treating these conditions is that it usually lowers the amount of medication that the patient must take by mouth.

Use of sodium chloride solutions or aerosols for nasal irrigation.