I use a saline nasal rinse all of the time, and it helps a lot with the sinusitis, and allergies, and I have plastic covers on my mattress, and pillows, and wash my sheets and blankets once a week, and keep my bedroom dusted, and am very vigilant abo

[Guest guest]

I use a saline nasal rinse all of the time, and it helps a lot with the sinusitis, and allergies, and I have plastic covers on my mattress, and pillows, and wash my sheets and blankets once a week, and keep my bedroom dusted, and am very vigilant about when I open my windows, whether there is any pollen out there, LOL. I have also finally cleaned up any clutter in my bedroom and cleaned out all of my closets, and have gotten rid of different pieces of furniture and extra things I really didn't need in there that made it hard to keep it really clean and dusted, what a difference. I also have asthma, so it is a learning experience, but, I found those things to be really helpful. And yes the sinus rinse really makes a difference. To: asthma Sent: Monday, December 5, 2011 11:33 AM Subject: Re: rhinitis?

Kathy,

I've had allergic rhinitis and sinusitis most of my life. Started having severe allergy reactions and "coughing jags" (later diagnosed with allergy-induced asthma,) since I was 8.

My ENT urged me to use NeilMed Sinus rinse twice a day after a Winter of recurring sinus infections three years ago. I can honestly say I haven't had trouble with sinus inflammation or infections since. Rinsing with warm salt water gets rid of the pollen or other irritants, and helps break up any mucous so it's easier to get rid of, reducing the risk of infection.

Now I use a special tip that fits on my Water Pik which is super easy to use and more effective that the squeeze bottle I used before. Because of severe allergies, my choices for a nasal spray are limited, but I've had good success with an olive leaf anti-inflammatory spritz that I use after sinus rinsing. On days when I can barely breathe by the end of day, the sinus rinsing opens up my nasal passages in just a few minutes. The salt in the rinse actually pulls fluids out of the sinus tissues to make it easier for me to breathe.

On the dust mite issue, have you tried one of the dust mite blocking mattress covers? My daughter couldn't afford to buy a latex mattress, which is was I did to avoid dust mites. She said it made a big difference and doesn't wake up stuffed up like she did before. It might be worth a try.

JoAnn in sunny but chilly Southern California