Precautions To Take When Breastfeeding With Sinus Infection
The following precautions might help in preventing the transmission of sinus infection from the mother to the baby.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before handling the baby and their personal items, such as toys and clothes.
- Keep tissues handy to wipe your nose.
- Use a sanitizer to clean your hands.
- If the baby touches your face with his/her fingers, then clean the babys hands too.
- Do not share the same utensils like the cup, glass, spoon, etc. with the baby.
- Wear a mask while breastfeeding the baby.
- Avoid kissing the baby until you are cured of the infection.
If you notice any symptoms in the baby, then see a pediatrician promptly.
Have A Healthier Pregnancy By Treating Your Sinus Infection With The Glatz Group Of Valley Ent
Getting sick is already a drag on its own, but getting sick during pregnancy can be especially tough, as you may not be able to take your average OTC medications.
In some cases, a doctor can provide medication with little risk to the developing fetus.
If the following home remedies do not help resolve your sinusitis symptoms, you may wish to consider setting up an appointment with us. We want to make sure your pregnancy is a healthy one for you and your baby.
What Can You Take For A Sinus Infection While Pregnant
Instead of turning to quick fixes, it is important to learn what medications are safe. If your infection is bacterial, talk to a doctor to find out which antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy to prevent your infection from getting worse and causing complications. Otherwise, try some of these safe and natural methods:
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold During Pregnancy
A cold usually begins with a sore or scratchy throat that lasts for a day or two, followed by the gradual appearance of other symptoms, including:
- A runny, then later stuffy, nose
- Sneezing
- Mild fatigue
- A dry cough, particularly near the colds end, which may continue for a week or more after other symptoms have subsided
- Low-grade fever
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When To Contact Your Doctor:
- If you are coughing up green or yellow mucus
- If you have a fever above 101° F
- If you cannot eat or sleep
If your infection is not improving, your doctor may prescribe medication. Your doctor will determine the best medication to take that is safe for you and your baby. While sinus infections are not fun, there are ways you can take care of yourself either through medication or home remedies to alleviate your symptoms and promote your recovery.
Want to Know More?
- Keep track of your medication by downloading the Fetal Life App for Apple and Android endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association. It features medicine tracking, meal recommendations, kicks counter, blood glucose tracking, and much more.
Compiled using information from the following sources:
1. Harms, R. W. . . Mayo Clinic guide to a healthy pregnancy . New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
2. Jordan, R. G., Engstrom, J. L., Marfell, J. A., & Farley, C. L. . . Prenatal and postnatal care: A woman-centered approach. Ames, IA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
3. Larson, D. E. . . Mayo Clinic family health book: The ultimate illustrated home medical reference. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company, Inc.
4. Simkin, P., Whalley, J., & Keppler, A. . Pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn: The complete guide. Gorham, K. . Deephaven, MN: Meadowbrook Press.
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No Such Thing As A Safe Medication List
The Centers for Disease Control cautions that pregnant women seeking sinus relief should first consult their doctors, because many medicines in online âsafe medication listsâ could have unknown side effects on fetuses.The CDC states, âA conversation with a healthcare provider can help ensure that you are taking only what is necessary.â The trained professionals at the American Sinus Institute can work with a pregnant patient to find the minimal medication needed to provide sinus relief.
When To See Your Doctor
A sinus infection can resolve itself with home treatment. But there are times when you should see a doctor.
Make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms dont improve with OTC medications or home remedies, or if your symptoms worsen.
Contact your doctor if you have a fever higher than 101°F , or if you start coughing up green or yellow mucus. Also see your doctor if you have recurrent sinus infections.
Leaving a severe sinus infection untreated increases the risk of complications, such as meningitis. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes in the brain or spinal cord.
An untreated infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, eyes, and skin. It can also affect your sense of smell.
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Sinusitis During Pregnancy: Types Causes And Home Remedies
A blocked nose, a heavy head, and reddened cheeks are a scary combination. Unfortunately, thats the trouble you have when there is aggravating pressure on the sinuses.
If this happens during your pregnancy then the suffering simply doubles from the normal times. But why are you prone to sinusitis during pregnancy? What are the home remedies you can use?
MomJunction helps you understand the condition and the ways to ease that pressure and feel better. Read on.
Remedies That Are Safe To Use For Treating A Sinus Infection While Pregnant
Youll be happy to know that you are allowed to use some over the counter medications to help relieve the intensity of the symptoms. As long as you follow the instructions labeled properly and you listen to your doctors advice.
The main OTC medication is acetaminophen also known as Tylenol, a common pain reliever thatll help lessen those nasty sinus headaches and relieve a sore throat.
The other remedies depend on your situation and how well your body reacts to some of them.
These other remedies are:
- cough suppressants
- various nasal sprays
Again, dont go around trying every remedy youre aware of as thatll only make matters worse.
Use caution until youre properly diagnosed and prescribed the correct remedy because you are only capable of guessing when it comes to figuring out the source of your sinus infection and you have a little one to think about too.
The use of a humidifierduring a bout of sinusitis is bound to help clear your nasal passages and help alleviate throat soreness in many cases, accelerating the healing process.
The importance of nasal irrigation should also not be undervalued as nasal sprays are lifesavers in many of these cases. They are great in helping clear up a blocked up nose so you dont have to breathe through your mouth.
Vitamin C, while normally recommended, wont do you much good when youre already infected, but its good as a prevention method.
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Tips To Consider Before Taking An Otc Drug
- Try nondrug measures. For complaints commonly handled by OTC products, nondrug measures can help alleviate symptoms without the risk. For example, stress busters such as massage, meditation, relaxation exercises, or even a walk around the block, can help with tension headaches. And rest, fluids, and chicken soup are a much safer way for pregnant women to deal with symptoms of a cold than antihistamines and decongestants.
- Consult your healthcare provider. Dont take anything without first discussing it with your practitioner. There are trade-offs with OTC products, Mitchell said. You have to balance your need to take something with any possible risks.
- Avoid combination products. Multi-symptom cold and allergy medications typically contain ingredients from the off-limits list. For example, while Tylenol pain reliever is relatively safe for occasional use during pregnancy, Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain and Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom liquid contain the decongestant phenylephrine, which is not.
- Read labels.Ingredients such as alcohol and caffeine turn up in surprising places. For example, Vicks Nyquil Cold & Flu Liquid contains alcohol. And CVS Aspirin-Free Tension Headache, is indeed, free of aspirin, but still contains caffeine.
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Know The Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection
While most symptoms of sinusitis are shared with the common cold and it usually occurs alongside it, there are a few differences.Also, note that the symptoms your body experiences might be different from that of others.
Most people do, however, typically experience the following:
- An irritated/sore throat
- Black ulcers in more severe cases
- Loss of sense of smell/taste
- Sinus congestion
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Safe Allergy Remedies During Pregnancy
- Oral antihistamines, like cetirizine , chlorpheniramine , diphenhydramine , fexofenadine , and loratadine seem to be safe. So does cromolyn sodium nasal spray and the steroid nasal spray Rhinocort, according to Web MD.
- Allergy shots: If you took allergy shots before pregnancy, your doctor might recommend you continue taking them. But do not start them while pregnant.
- Sudafed 30-60 mg every 4-6 hours can be used in the second and third trimesters in women without gestational hypertension. Avoid use in the first trimester and with breastfeeding. Sudafed PE should be avoided because of its uncertain efficacy and safety in pregnancy.
Allergy Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Decongestants: During your first trimester, dont take decongestants by mouth, according to Web MD. Decongestants may make some birth defects more likely. Watch out for antihistamines combined with a decongestant. Because theres not enough evidence for their safety, avoid antihistamine nasal sprays.
- Mucinex, Mucinex D, Mucinex DM, and the extra-strength versions of each, because the six forms of Mucinex contain guaifenesin. Avoid taking any of these during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, they may be safe to use during later trimesters. Ask your doctor.
Diagnosis And Test Of Sinusitis
A nasal endoscopy will help your doctor determine the condition inside the nose, and if an allergy is suspected, you may need to undergo further tests, too.
When we speak about pregnancy, there is always a grave concern around the health of the baby. One common question every expectant mother would ask if a sinus infection could hurt her baby. Lets take a look at it.
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When Is A Z
Spoiler alert: its not! Because its so easy to use, the Z-Pak used to be a go-to prescription for sinus infections. But it turns out that only a minority of these prescriptions are appropriate because the majority of sinus infections are viral and not bacterial. In fact, studies have found that about a third of antibiotic prescriptions for sinus infections, sore throats, and ear infections arent even necessary. Overprescribing antibiotics increases the chance that bacteria will become resistant to them and disrupt the gut bacterial flora for months. Indeed, azithromycin is no longer recommended for bacterial sinus infections due to the risk of resistance.
If you have a sinus infection, expect to feel lousy for several days. After all, your body is waging war against an infection. You might experience:
-
A runny nose
-
A sore throat
-
A cough
Youre also likely to feel more tired and achy and maybe even experience a low-grade fever. Most people improve within a week, but symptoms can last up to 2 weeks. Coughs can linger for a week after that.
Treating a sinus infection boils down to whether its viral or bacterial. Colds, for example, are viral. And antibiotics like the Z-Pak are not effective against viral infections. In fact, viral sinus infections have no cure. Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and includes:
If you still dont feel better, your healthcare provider may suggest nasal or lung inhalers for other symptoms.
-
Diarrhea
How Do I Get Rid Of Congestion While Pregnant
To ease congestion and other symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis:
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When To See The Doctor
If you try the home remedies and they do not work, then you should consider visiting a doctor. A sinus infection that is diagnosed early can be treated faster. Do not wait for too long once you begin to notice symptoms of sinusitis. Use the medicines prescribed by the doctor so that you can manage the symptoms better.
Signs Of A Sinus Infection During Pregnancy
If youre pregnant and havent had much experience with sinus infections in the past, you might wonder what hit you. Chances are you have a sinus infection if you notice:
- Yellow or green drainage from your nose
- Nasal congestion
- Facial pressure
- Headaches
When these symptoms last more than a week to 10 days without any improvement, its probably a bacterial infection instead of a viral one, notes Ahmad R. Sedaghat, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the department of otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In that case you may need to be prescribed antibiotics, so be sure to let your doctor know if your symptoms worsen.
While sinus pressure and pain in pregnancy might leave you feeling pretty under the weather, the good news is that the infection wont affect your baby.
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How Sinus Infection Is Treated
The treatment for a sinus infection depends on the type of sinusitis and the source of the inflammation or infection. You might feel better with treatment for your symptoms as your sinus infection resolves.
Acute viral sinusitis can usually resolve on its own, acute bacterial sinusitis can usually be cured with antibiotics, and anti-fungal medications might be needed for treating fungal sinusitis, Getting treatment for allergies that might be contributing to an acute or chronic sinus infection can help, and endoscopic surgery may be needed in some cases of chronic sinusitis.
Treatment of chronic sinusitis may complicated, as abnormal tissue blocking the sinus cavities could require surgery.
Verywell / Tim Liedtke
From Cold And Cough To Hemorrhoid And Nausea We Break Down Safe Otc Medications To Take While Pregnant
Its the dead of winter and you cant sleep, because youre 7 months pregnant and your baby has decided to be nocturnal. You know you need sleep, because lack of good rest inhibits your immune system. This stresses you out, because your spouse has a nasty cold, and youd rather avoid it.
Your spouse is resting peacefully in the guest room because he has a plethora of over-the-counter medications at his disposal.
But not you. Youre pregnant, and your OTC medicine choices are extremely limited. So, you hope to stay healthy amid the stress and discomfort of pregnancy. Not to mention its cold and flu season.
Then, you realize. Your nose is running. Your sinuses feel clogged. Youre getting sick.
Your first instinct is to want to grab those great medications your spouse is taking. But you know you have to be careful.
In no time, youre miserable with symptoms of the common cold. Youre desperate for relief, but you know the safety of your baby is paramount.
Advanced Womens Healthcare is here to help with a comprehensive list of safe over-the-counter medications to take during pregnancy. Always consult your doctor for the best personalized choices for you.
Pregnant women: Dont forget to get your flu shot at AWH Dallas!
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What Causes Sinusitis In Pregnancy
Both sinusitis AND rhinitis are caused by the bodys overproduction of oestrogen and the pregnancy hormone progesterone.
Progesterone dilates the nasal passages, causing them to swell and partially block the airways, while oestrogen affects mucus production.
Its also thought that the increased blood supply in your body affects the mucus membranes in your nose.
Symptoms Of Nasal Congestion During Pregnancy
If you have nasal congestion that lasts only a week or slightly longer, its likely due to a cold. You may experience the usual symptoms that come with nasal congestion, such as ear pain, fevers, headaches, facial pain, mild body aches, bad breath, and itchy eyes, mouth, throat, or nose. Because pregnancy weakens the immune system, colds are common for people who are expecting.
However, if symptoms of congestion last longer, it may be due to a condition called pregnancy rhinitis. Signs include sneezing, painful sinuses, ear fluid buildup, and general feelings of congestion. Some people with pregnancy rhinitis experience nosebleeds from constantly blowing and scratching their nose.
This common condition can last for six weeks or longer, and it usually goes away after delivery. Pregnancy rhinitis occurs in around 39 percent of all pregnancies.
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Medications To Avoid During Pregnancy
Always check with your doctor or OBGYN before taking any medications prescription, over-the-counter, or homeopathic particularly the following.
- Pain relievers and fever reducers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause pregnancy complications, particularly if taken during the third trimester.
- Avoid non-steroidal nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline.
- Dont take supplemental vitamins or herbal remedies without medical approval.
Safely Treating Sinus Congestion While Pregnant
These five tips for treating sinus congestion while pregnant can help you get over your stuffy nose without using medication that might pose a risk to baby.
1. Avoid Allergens and Pollutants
Avoid unnecessary exposure to nasal allergens and pollutants, such as smog and cigarette smoke.
2. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Drinking even more water than usual each day is very effective in treating sinus congestion while pregnant.
3. Keep Your Nasal Passages Clear
Flush your nasal passages with saltwater nose drops several times a day. These are available without a prescription, or you can make your own. To make your own saltwater drops, use a quarter teaspoon of salt to a cup of water.
4. Use a Facial Steamer for Treating Sinus Congestion
Clear sinus congestion while pregnant with a simple facial steamer. A facial steamer is a hot mist vaporizer. A facial steamer steam cleans your nasal passageways.
5. Consider Nasal Sprays
Medicines that constrict the noses blood vessels may enter the bloodstream and constrict the uterus or placenta blood vessels. Therefore, decongestants should be used only under a doctors supervision and only in the dosage and frequency your doctor recommends.
Some nasal sprays are safer than others. Except for saltwater nasal spray, consult your doctor before taking nasal sprays.
Afrin
- Afrin , when used only twice a day and for a couple of days, hasnt been shown to cause harmful effects on the developing baby.
Inhaled Nasal Steroids
Cromolyn
Antihistamines
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