Use Decongestants But Only Temporarily
You can definitely pop some Sudafed tablets or even spritz some Afrin into your nose, but beware: you cant do this forever.
In an acute infection, a decongestant can be useful, but Afrin can become addicting if used for more than a few days and oral decongestants used regularly can have cardiovascular effects, says Dr. Thompson. These are targeted for short-term use.
Also, FYI, patients with high blood pressure shouldnt use these OTC products, and people who are sensitive to stimulants, like caffeine, might have trouble sleeping when using them, per Dr. Takashima.
How Do You Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection
Sinusitis symptoms are notoriously unbearable. Finding relief from the congestion, sinus pain, and sore runny nose can be difficult and uncomfortable.
In many cases, people turn to natural remedies and/or over-the-counter treatments to help relieve their physical discomforts, such as headaches, congestion, and mucus build-up.
In more serious cases, its good to consult a physician to discuss prescription options, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics, or antifungal medicines. These medications are often delivered intranasally , with the use of a nasal nebulizer device.
Nasal washing or irrigation with saline or a common over the counter nasal safe medicine can help reduce the excess mucus build-up and relieve other symptoms of post nasal drip, such as hacking and coughing.
Using compounding pharmacies to compound a sinus medication specifically for your needs, incorporating soothing ingredients to eliminate dry nose, can be very effective, especially when delivered appropriately to the infected and irritated areas.
Natural Remedy For Sinus Infection #4 Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is yet another very powerful viral,bacterial and fungal eradicator. Its actually one of the most popular remedies for a sinus infection because it works so well . And if you have a coldor the flu virus accompanying your sinus infection the colloidal silver,combined with the olive leaf extract, will get rid of the virus in a matter ofdays , rather than weeks!
Colloidal silver works in a similarway to olive leaf extract by binding to the protein structure surroundingthe virus or bacterial infection, which then prevents it from feeding andreplicating further. So by doing this, the infection is quickly contained, quarantinedand killed!
How to Use the Colloidal Silverâ¦
There are two ways to effectively use the colloidal silver. The first is internally. Take one teaspoon of high strength colloidal silver mixed in a glass of filtered water 5-7 times a day for 3 weeks. The second way is externally. To do this simply tilt your head back, and using a bulb syringe or eye dropper, place 3-4 drops of full strength colloidal silver directly into each nostril. Sniff the colloidal silver in if you can and let it drain down into your throat.
It works a treat!
Read Also: What Can Help With Sinus Congestion
How Can I Tell If I Have A Sinus Infection Cold Or Nasal Allergy
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold, allergies, and a sinus infection. The common cold typically builds, peaks, and slowly disappears. It lasts a few days to a week. A cold can transform into a sinus infection. Nasal allergy is inflammation of the nose due to irritating particles . Symptoms of a nasal allergy can include sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, congestion, runny nose, and post nasal drip . Sinusitis and allergy symptoms can happen at the same time as a common cold.
If you are fighting off a cold and develop symptoms of a sinus infection or nasal allergy, see your healthcare provider. You will be asked to describe your symptoms and medical history.
When To See A Doctor For Sinus Issues
If your symptoms persist more than one to two weeks, you should consult with your physician.
Youll want to check with your doctor even sooner if you have a severe case of a sinus infection including a high fever, swelling around the eyes, and red and inflamed skin, among other symptoms, Del Signore says.
In this case, or if your symptoms do not clear up within two weeks, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic.
You May Like: Top Antibiotics For Sinus Infection
Saline Spray And Sinus Rinses
Using a saline solution, rinse your nose and sinuses with a neti pot or other irrigation system.
You can buy saline solution over the counter or make your own at home with distilled water and saline packets. Saline spray also comes in small bottles that you can spray directly into your nose.
Sinus rinses like these work by flushing mucus out of the nose and sinuses to keep things flowing freely.
Saline also has a natural decongesting effect, meaning it shrinks your swollen nasal tissues and makes it easier for you to breathe through your nose!
How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed
If you are experiencing pain and pressure that doesnât clear up within a week to 10 days, it may be time to schedule a doctors appointment. You can visit your primary care physician to be evaluated for a sinus infection.
A sinus infection is usually diagnosed empirically without need for imaging or cultures, explains Lindsey Elmore, Pharm.D., BCPS. A simple medical exam and review of your symptoms should be enough for your doctor to identify a sinus infection. Your doctor will likely check your nose with a light to look for inflammation. He or she also may ask you about any pain youre feeling to see if it traces back to the sinus cavities.
In rare cases, or if you get frequent infections, your doctor may perform other tests to rule out other conditions like a fungal infection. This may include allergy testing, a nasal endoscopy to visually inspect the sinuses, swabbing your nose for a culture of nasal drainage, or lab imagery to scan for abnormalities.
Symptoms may be acute or chronic , and you should seek a doctors help if you have symptoms that last more than 10 days, or are unresolved with over the counter agents as this may be an indication that you have a bacterial sinus infection, says Dr. Elmore.
Also Check: Things That Help With Sinus Pressure
Don’t Miss: Best Allergy Medication For Sinus Pressure
How To Tell If You Have An Actual Sinus Infection
Even though we often say we have a sinus infection even if its just inflammation or an allergic response, there are symptoms of an actual infection that may be treatable with antibiotics. Nasal congestion and pain under the eyes or around the temples are, of course, main symptoms, but others include the loss of the sense of smell, green nasal discharge, mucus dripping down your throat, cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, and even bad breath.
Sometimes, a sinus infection will clear up without intervention, but if you develop a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, have your symptoms for 10 or more days, notice that your symptoms are getting worse and are not improved by OTC medications, or you have multiple infections in a years time, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
When It Comes And When It Goes
If you have allergies, youâll start feeling symptoms soon after you come into contact with the stuff youâre allergic to. Your symptoms keep up as long as youâre still surrounded by those triggers.
Allergies can happen any time of year. They may be âseasonal,â which means you get them only in the spring or fall. Or they may be year-round. For instance, you might be allergic to pets or mold, which can be a problem no matter the season.
Sinusitis usually happens after youâve had a cold or allergies. But certain symptoms will keep going, even after your cold goes away. Youâll probably have a stuffy nose and cough for more than a week or two.
You may hear your doctor talk about two kinds of sinusitis: âacuteâ and âchronic.â Thereâs a simple way to tell them apart. If your symptoms last less than 4 weeks, itâs acute. If they go on for 3 months or longer, you have chronic sinusitis.
You May Like: What To Take For A Bacterial Sinus Infection
Will My Sinus Infection Clear Up On Its Own
Topics in this Post
The first few weeks of the common cold aren’ fun, but the acute sinusitis that can develop afterwards doesn’t help either. Unfortunately, sinus congestion and the common cold go hand in hand. Acute sinusitis frequently is caused by the common cold, but also can be caused by allergies and bacterial and fungal infections.
Is It Possible To Prevent Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis
Currently, there are no vaccines designed specifically against infectious sinusitis or sinus infections. However, there are vaccines against viruses and bacteria that may cause some infectious sinusitis. Vaccination against pathogens known to cause infectious sinusitis may indirectly reduce or prevent the chance of getting the disease however, no specific studies support this assumption. Fungal vaccines against sinusitis are not available, currently.
If you are prone to recurrent bouts of a “yearly sinus infection” it may be important to consider allergy testing to see if this is the underlying cause of the recurring problem. Treatment of the allergy may prevent secondary bacterial sinus infections. In addition, sinus infections may be due to other problems such as nasal polyps, tumors, or diseases that obstruct normal mucus flow. Treatment of these underlying causes may prevent recurrent sinus infections.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Also Check: How To Relieve Pressure From Sinus Headache
Nothing Working See An Ent
Oftentimes, no matter how hard you try to clear the infection on your own, your symptoms may not resolve. As a general rule of thumb, check with your doctor if your sinus infection symptoms last for 10 days or longer. During the visit with your doctor, they will determine whether youre dealing with a bacterial or viral infection. Most of the time, antibiotics such as amoxicillin, Augmentin, cefdinir, or doxycycline are used to help your body get rid of the infection. Typical courses of antibiotics last anywhere from 5 to 21 days.
If after all of the above treatments your symptoms still persist, it is advisable to see a specialist. The physicians at Capital Otolaryngology have several tools at their disposal to get you on the road to recovery. We use an in-office CT scan and endoscopy to further evaluate and target the problem in your nose and sinuses. Our physicians always focus on fixing our patients with minimally invasive techniques so that you can get back to living a normal and healthy life as quickly as possible.
Treating Your Sinus Infection
If you think you have a sinus infection, you may need to see your doctor.
âMostly, these acute infections go away on their own or after a simple course of antibiotics,â says ear, nose, and throat specialist Greg Davis, who practices at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.
Davis recommends sinus irrigation for sinus infections. It can help ease your symptoms while you wait for the antibiotics to do their job. Steroids, , and over-the-counter mucus thinners can also ease your discomfort, he says.
See an ear, nose, and throat specialist if your sinus infection doesnât go away after one or two courses of antibiotics, Davis says.
Some people have sinus infections over and over. The only known risk factors, Davis says, are allergies and smoking In rare cases, an acute infection can become chronic if itâs not treated successfully.
If you have chronic infections, and antibiotics and other treatments donât help, you may need sinus surgery, Davis says.
Your doctor will enlarge the small or inflamed and swollen openings of your sinuses, allowing them to drain, and letting you breathe more easily.
Show Sources
Recommended Reading: How To Help Sinus Drainage In Throat
What Are Other Remedies To Ease And Prevent Sinus Infections
- Run water into the nasals to clean it of excess mucus
- Inhale steam in the shower or bend over a pan with hot water
- Use a humidifier to moisten your air in your home to prevent the nasals from drying out
- Elevate your head to keep the mucus from clogging your sinus
- Dont forcefully blow your nose as it can irritate the nasals
- Use the decongestants with caution
- Dont use antihistamines unless prescribed by the doctor
- Balloon Sinuplasty clear the sinus by flushing the built-up mucus with saline solution
- Stereotactic navigation is a minimally invasive procedure that checks out any abnormal growths
- Endoscopic sinus surgery opens up the drainage passage of the sinus to restore its function
- Complex nasal polyp surgery. Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths on the sinus or nasal passages. The procedure, if done correctly, canclear the nasal passages and ease discomfort.
How You Can Treat Sinusitis Yourself
You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:
- getting plenty of rest
- taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking
- cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion
If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.
You May Like: Advil Sinus Congestion And Pain Walmart
The 6 Best Foods To Eat When You Have A Sinus Infection
Headaches, congestion, sinus pressure…whatever your symptoms, sinus issues are unpleasant. Fortunately, there are certain foods for sinus infections that have immune-supporting nutrients to help ease those symptoms.
Video of the Day
Your sinuses are pockets located along your eyes, nose, cheekbones and forehead, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Mucous membranes line these cavities and produce phlegm that filters out incoming bacteria.
Typically, this mucus drains out of your nose. But colds, respiratory infections, allergies, nasal polyps or a deviated septum can cause your nasal passages to become inflamed and swollen, per Harvard Health Publishing. Those blocked sinuses can cause a buildup of bacteria-filled mucus, which can in turn lead to a sinus infection.
You can typically fight a sinus infection with over-the-counter decongestants, cold and allergy medicines, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a balanced diet can also help your body cope with illness.
But what exactly should you eat when you have a sinus infection? While food alone can’t cure sinus infections, certain ingredients may help relieve some of your symptoms. Below, browse six foods to munch on when you’re under the weather, plus which foods to limit or avoid.
Tip
What Causes Post Nasal Drip
Post nasal drip occurs when nasal glands either secrete more mucus than normal, or thicker mucus. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- A common cold: A common cold causes excess mucus to fill your nose, which often leads to post nasal drip.
- Allergies and irritants in the air: Allergens and other irritants can cause more mucus in your nose, which is linked to postnasal drip.
- Reflux: Post nasal drip is a major symptom of laryngopharyngeal reflux, a condition where stomach acid rises into the throat, Thompson says.
- Sinus infections: Runny and stuffy noses are common symptoms of a sinus infection and can cause post nasal drip.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the increase in hormones can trigger swelling of the nasal glands, causing roughly one-third of women to experience post nasal drip.
- Spicy foods: In response to spiciness, many peoples bodies release extra mucus, which can lead to post nasal drip.
Recommended Reading: How To Use Sinus Rinse
Read Also: Nasal Washes For Sinus Infections
When To See A Doctor For Sinus Pain
If your sinus symptoms are not getting better with at-home treatments, and if your sinus symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days, you should see a doctor for treatment. Allina Health has many convenient care options for care, from online visits to walk-in care, to help you get better fast.
If you have frequent or reoccurring sinus infections, you may want to see an ear, nose and throat for your treatment options.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection
If youve ever suffered from a sinus infection , you know that the symptoms, such as the constant dripping from your nose or the sore irritated throat, are just shy of unbearable. Heres a list of symptoms you might experience if youre suffering from sinusitis:
- In some cases, people may experience anosmia due to the smell receptors being blocked and irritated. It typically resolves itself after the symptoms have cleared, although there are treatments to help speed up the recovery process.
- People also report a feeling of swelling, tenderness, and pain around the eyes and in the forehead.
Don’t Miss: How To Unblock Ears From Sinus Congestion