A common sinus drug has been wreaking havoc on the American public!
Sinus irrigation systems have gone from being looked at as a holistic tool to being more widely embraced. In fact, nowadays, even medical doctors have come to recommend them. But suppose you regularly use a Neti Pot or some other similar product to cleanse your sinuses.
In that case, experts say it’s crucial that you follow the instructions carefully, but more specifically, use the correct kind of water. Usually, sterile, boiled, or distilled water is recommended, sometimes even saline.
Well, that’s because dangerous microbes can form in liquid, and fluid with this sort of contamination isn’t something you want in your body, especially your respiratory system.
According to a statement made recently by the FDA, a nasal cleansing wash that’s being sold nationwide is being recalled because the product could be contaminated with bacteria.
Ascent Consumer Products Inc., which is based in New York is recalling its “SinuCleanse Soft Tip Squeeze Bottle Nasal Wash System,” the company published.
The US Food and Drug Administration said in a release that the item might be contaminated with the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which is what causes staph infections. Here’s what to know about the recall on this common sinus drug:
What’s the deal with this common sinus drug?
The common sinus drug seems to be sold at retailers like Amazon and Walmart and major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens. The impacted lot was distributed in January this year nationwide through online and retail outlets, according to the FDA’s advisory.
The recalled nasal wash is the SinuCleanse Soft Tip Squeeze Bottle Nasal Wash System and carries the following lot number and expiration date:
Lot number: 024122611A1
Expiration date: December 31, 2027
You can identify the lot number and expiration date on the side of the carton or the back of the Saline Packets inside the carton. It’s packaged in a carton that contains a squeeze bottle and 30 saline packets.
There’s a connection between this incident and a person who died!
A person in Florida has passed away after being infected with the rare brain-eating amoeba called Naegleria fowleri. It’s possible that the infection resulted from sinus rinse practices while using tap water, according to the Florida Department of Health. This release was issued in February to warn the public about the infection.
Officials are continuing to look into the case. “An Epidemiological investigation is being conducted to understand the unique circumstances of this infection. I can confirm the infection, unfortunately, resulted in a death.
Any additional information on this case is confidential to protect patient privacy,” the press secretary for the Florida Department of Health said in a statement. Infection with this type of bacteria “can only happen when water contaminated with amoebae enters the body through the nose,” according to a news release.
Florida’s Department of Health cautioned residents only to use sterile or distilled water when making sinus rinse solutions. You must boil tap water for at least a minute and chilled before using it for sinus rinsing, which generally involves a neti pot.
Tap water that hasn’t been properly sterilized isn’t safe to use as a nasal rinse because it isn’t adequately treated or filtered.
So, it might contain low levels of microorganisms, like bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas, says the FDA’s website. Yet people can’t be infected by drinking tap water because stomach acid normally kills those organisms.
What EXACTLY is this brain-eating amoeba?
Simply put, naegleria fowleri is a single-celled living organism found in soil and warm freshwater, including rivers, lakes, and hot springs throughout the US. Generally called the “brain-eating amoeba,” it can cause brain infections, typically when amoeba-containing water travels up through the nose, like while swimming.
According to the CDC, approximately three people in our country get infected every year, and these infections are usually fatal. Between 1962 and 2021, only four out of 154 individuals in the US survived a brain-eating amoeba illness, according to the CDC.
Just last year, a boy passed away after being infected while swimming at Lake Mead, another child died in Nebraska who was infected after swimming, and a Missouri resident passed away with the infection after going to a beach in Iowa.
There are many signs and symptoms of infection (we’ll go over them next), and they can progress to seizures, a stiff neck, hallucinations, and ultimately, a coma.
The disease is treated with a combo of medications, including the antibiotic azithromycin, the antimicrobial drug miltefosine, the antifungal fluconazole, and the corticosteroid dexamethasone.
What should I do if I already bought this common sinus drug?
The FDA reported that consumers who bought the product and used it should contact their healthcare provider immediately. If you’ve purchased it but haven’t used it yet, return it to where you bought it and get a full refund.
Staph infection symptoms due to this common sinus drug
Impetigo
Impetigo is a very contagious yet usually mild staph infection detected primarily in children 2-5 years old. It causes itchy, red sores to form, often around the nose and mouth or limbs.
These sores ultimately burst and drain fluids before developing into a scabby, honey-colored crust. Treatment will include antibiotics.
Boils
A staph infection usually causes fluid-filled boils (furuncles) in hair follicles that are rather painful. Follicles are little openings on your skin through which hairs grow. Over time, these boils may burst, draining pus in the process. They often form on your neck, face, armpits, and thighs.
They might also form clusters called carbuncles, usually on your back or the nape of your neck. Treatment can include warm, hot compresses or surgery if the boils are too large to drain them.
Scalded Skin Syndrome
Also known as Ritter’s disease, this skin infection generally affects newborns. It’s rare in those older than 6 years old. Scalded skin syndrome starts with a fever.
Patches of tender red skin form within 24 hours, followed by big blisters that break, draining fluid. Skin peels, often in big sections. Treatment includes antibiotics and usually burn dressings.
Cellulitis
Staph infection of your skin can also cause cellulitis, particularly around wounds, cuts, surgical sites, or other areas of damaged skin. Cellulitis is a standard skin condition that causes inflamed, painful, red skin patches that feel hot and tender to the touch.
These areas can become pitted like an orange peel or form blisters. It often develops on your feet and legs, and treatment includes antibiotics.
Other serious staph infections include:
-Pneumonia (infection of the lung)
-Osteomyelitis (infection of the bone)
-Meningitis (infection of what covers the brain and spinal cord)
-Endocarditis (infection of the heart valve)
-Septic arthritis (infection of a joint)
-Epidural abscess (infection of the epidural space)
-Prosthetic joint infections (infection of an artificial joint)
Staph may also cause:
-Food poisoning
-Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
-Mastitis
-Scalded skin syndrome
-Catheter-associated urinary tract infection
When should you contact your healthcare provider?
Most staph infections go away on their own. But, they can become very serious and sometimes even life-threatening. Get in touch with a healthcare provider if you develop pus-filled blisters or have fever alongside other symptoms.
Any sign of complications, like pneumonia or endocarditis, is considered a medical emergency. Go to the hospital if you experience any of the following symptoms:
-Rapid or irregular heart rate
-Lack of responsiveness, confusion, or other cognitive symptoms
-Shortness of breath
-Loss of consciousness
-Swelling that doesn’t go away
-Severe fever or chills
Have you had any experiences with this common sinus drug? Please feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments section.
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