Sinus infections occur when the hollow cavities in the face become infected. Symptoms include swelling, inflammation, mucous buildup, difficulty breathing, congestion, facial pain and throbbing. According to Rutgers University, a sinus infection is commonly caused by severe colds or allergies.
Left untreated, a sinus infection may become more severe and spread to the eyes, ears and mouth. More serious infections may be a result of a deviated septum or bacterial infections. If your condition does not improve after several days, consult your doctor.
Step 1
Implement a variety of home remedies. Add a humidifier to your home to increase moisture in the air. Cleanse nasal passageways and sinuses by using a neti pot. Keep nasal secretions thin by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. Aim for one glass of water per hour. Visit a clinician if home remedies do not relieve symptoms in two to four days, suggests Rutgers University.
Step 2
Take over-the-counter medications to relieve sinuses. Sinus headaches and associated pain can be relieved by taking aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Decongestants are available at most drugstores and pharmacies without a prescription. However, these medications should be taken no longer than a few days to decrease the risk of rebound congestion.
Look for tablets, nasal sprays and liquid medications including Sudafed and Actifed, recommends MayoClinic.com. Look for the key ingredients phenylephrine and oxymetazoline.
Step 3
Ask your medical doctor about taking prescription corticosteroids if nasal polyps are causing severe sinus infection. The medications come in oral, injectable and nasal spray forms. Do not use the medications for long-term treatment because side effects are severe.
Step 4
Ask you doctor if additional medications would aid sinusitis relief. Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, decrease the body's reaction to specific allergens, reports MayoClinic.com. Antibiotics may be required when sinus infections are caused by bacterial infections. Take antibiotics for the full prescription length even if symptoms begin to disappear; most treatments last between 10 and 14 days.
Step 5
Choose endoscopic surgery to explore the sinus cavities if symptoms do not go away after three months, advises MedlinePlus. A surgeon will examine the sinuses and remove any obstructions causing nasal blockage including excess tissue or nasal polyps. MayoClinic.com reports the surgeon may also open a sinus cavity to allow increased drainage. Surgical repair of a deviated septum may also relieve chronic sinus infections.
Things You'll Need
- humidifier
- net pot
