We have used regular saline drops for our son since he was an infant, but we never did start using them for ourselves. My husband is able to use a neti pot-style irrigation wash, but it is just too uncomfortable for me. I was much more willing to try the Xlear Nasal Mist. Starting off with just one pump in each nostril was not too traumatizing. It did feel like I got a little water up my nose from swimming, so there was that mildly uncomfortable feeling.
Although this product did moisturize my nasal passages and stopped that "strep" nose feeling, it did make me feel like I had constant postnasal drip for quite some time, which irritates my throat and causes an asthma-like cough. My husband, who does not having this issue with coughing, was able to use the mist without any problems. It did not even bother his sensitive gag reflex.
We also used the Kid's Xlear on our son, which is safe for children as young as infants. It is difficult to tell how well it worked. I can only say that it worked at least as well as the plain saline drops we have always used on him. This product was effective at washing out his nasal passages, helping any dried debris come out, and preventing nosebleeds.
The Xlear nasal products are all natural and only contain purified water, saline, grapefruit seed extract, and their unique ingredient Xylitol. This ingredient, in conjunction with the saline, helps nasal passages remain moisturized for a longer period of time than saline alone.
You can purchase these products right on Xlear.com or in stores, such as Whole Foods and the Vitamin Shoppe.
Thank you to Xlear for sending us product samples free of charge to base this review upon.