Content

• Steps
• Advice

When you have a sinus infection, you may experience a headache, a sore throat, and a stuffy nose. These symptoms can affect daily life. To help relieve your symptoms, there are many different things you can do, including seeing your doctor for medications when needed, home remedies like warm compresses, and rest. Find out what to do and start taking steps to feel better with a sinus infection.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Get a doctor's help

1. 

   See your doctor if symptoms persist for more than 10 days. If you have a runny or stuffy nose, don't assume it is a sinus infection. Often times, taking over-the-counter antihistamines, resting, replenishing water, and cooling compresses can help ease symptoms. On the other hand, taking over-the-counter antibiotics can make the bacteria resistant to the antibiotic and render the antibiotic ineffective. To avoid this, you should rest and recover before thinking about seeing your doctor. Once needed, your doctor can evaluate your condition, thereby prescribing medication to help you recover and feel better. Seek medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
   • Sinus congestion lasts more than 10 days
   • Fever above 39 ° C
   • Symptoms improve and then worsen by about day 6 of the illness

2. 

   
   
   Talk to your doctor about over-the-counter medications for nasal congestion. Ask your doctor about over-the-counter medications that can help relieve symptoms. A sinus infection is often accompanied by a buildup of mucus and sinus congestion, and medications that fight these symptoms can help you feel better. These drugs are available in pill form and as a nasal spray.
   • Common decongestants include Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE), Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed 12 Hour). These drugs in generic form will work just as well, provided they contain the same ingredients.
   • Do not use a nasal spray like Afrin for more than 3 days unless directed by your doctor - to avoid doing it increase stuffy nose.

3. 

   
   
   Ask your doctor about over-the-counter pain relievers for sinus pain. Pain relievers usually do not have a direct effect on the cause of the sinus infection, but only help relieve pain and pressure in the sinuses. Always follow the directions on the label for medication administration - as it can be dangerous if taken in too high doses. Don't take over-the-counter pain relievers for more than a week and a half without consulting your doctor.
   • Ibuprofen is an especially good medicine because it also has anti-inflammatory properties. That is, the medicine helps reduce swelling in the sinus cavities, reduces the accumulation of mucus and pressure in the sinuses.
   • Other effective over-the-counter pain relievers include acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and naproxen sodium.
   • Take the medicine only at the indicated dose. Overdose can cause serious problems such as liver or kidney problems.

4. 

   
   
   Talk to your doctor about allergy medications. A sinus infection can have many causes. For example, some sinus infections are not caused by illness, but by a reaction to substances in the air that you are allergic to. Fortunately, there are drugs that help fight allergy symptoms and help you feel better:
   • Most of the over-the-counter drugs for allergy are in the group antihistamines. Examples include Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Brompheniramine (Dimetapp) and Loratadine (Claritin).
   • If you have a sinus infection and have never had an allergy test, you should schedule an allergy test. This way you can avoid wasting time on inappropriate treatments.

5. 

   Ask your doctor about antibiotics for bacterial infections. Antibiotics are drugs that kill harmful bacteria in the body. If you think your sinus infection is bacterial, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for you. Do not take antibiotics not specifically prescribed for you and do not take old medicines that are used to treat other illnesses.
   • If you are prescribed an antibiotic, follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Do not stop taking medicine when you feel better. Always take your antibiotics with the correct dose and time. Stopping the drug on your own can cause the bacteria to adapt to the drug, causing the antibiotic to lose effectiveness in the future.
   • Keep in mind that taking antibiotics for a sinus infection is controversial, so some doctors may not prescribe an antibiotic for you.

6. 

   Talk to your doctor about prescription steroids for a serious sinus infection. In some cases, sinusitis can be severe or chronic naturally and not due to infection. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe a nasal spray containing one type corticosteroids. These medications help fight inflammation in the sinus cavities, improve mucus circulation, and reduce pressure in the sinuses.
   • Some steroid medications such as Nasacort and Flonase.
   advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Use home remedies

1. 

   Drink hot water. Hot water helps to thin and break up the mucus in the sinus cavities, thereby reducing the "pressure" that causes pain during a sinus infection. Not only that, the warm feeling that water brings also helps reduce sore throat and stimulate blood circulation for you to recover faster. Some effective water to choose from include:
   • Tea: Many people think that honey, ginger and lemon teas are especially effective.
   • Hot chocolate
   • Soups: Thin soup like chicken noodle soup is the best choice.
   • Hot water mixed with a little honey and / or lemon.
   • Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages in the evening as they can make it hard to sleep and dehydrate. Getting enough rest at night is a very important step when you are sick.

2. 

   Use a warm compress. You can place a warm compress on the bridge of your nose. The warmth will help you feel better and make it easier to blow your nose.
   • Dip a washcloth in a bowl of hot water or place it under running hot water. Take care to avoid burns.
   • When the towel reaches the right temperature, place it up along the bridge of your nose and wait for the heat to dissipate. Lean back on the chair or lie down while applying warm compresses to prevent the towel from falling.

3. 

   Eat spicy foods. Certain foods (generally spicy foods) are great options to help clear your sinuses. The stinging sensation will stimulate the production of mucus and runny nose for a while at first, but will help clear your mind and reduce discomfort. Some top options:
   • Foods containing lots of red pepper / cayenne pepper.
   • Foods containing chili sauce (for example, Sriracha chili sauce)
   • Food in particular has a "fresh" or "refreshing" taste like mint.
   • Horse radish

4. 

   Use a humidifier. A humidifier keeps the air moist for better comfort. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a humidifier. This remedy has been shown to reduce congestion, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which in turn helps clear the sinuses and aid in preventing sinus infections.

5. 

   Zinc lozenges. Sore throat lozenges also help open the nasal passages and help you feel better. Zinc lozenges can also help shorten the duration of a cold if you take it within 24 hours of the first symptoms appear. Use zinc lozenges as needed to help relieve throat irritation.
   • Be careful when using lozenges. Taking lozenges in small amounts can help you feel better, while high doses or for longer than 5 days can cause stomach upset or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

6. 

   Add enough water. Getting enough water is an essential and routine more and more important when you get sick. Carry a water bottle with you and drink it throughout the day. The more water you drink, the more your body can fight off infections.
   • Besides, water also helps moisten mucous membranes, reduces congestion and reduces discomfort.

7. 

   Get enough sleep at night. When you are sick, you need plenty of rest - and enough. Sleep is an important part of your body's natural recovery cycle that cannot be overlooked. It is time for the body to rest and "repair" itself. Insufficient sleep can make it difficult for the body to cope with illness and infection, affecting health. If possible, you should go to bed 2 hours earlier and wake up 1 hour later (unless you're not at school or working) to ensure plenty of rest. If you have trouble sleeping due to a sinus infection, you can try the following:
   • Use a decongestant patch to clear the nasal passages
   • Take a bath before bed (the steam helps to clear your sinuses) to feel relaxed
   • Raise your head while you sleep to drain the mucus out of your head. You should raise your entire upper body, not just raise your neck to avoid discomfort and obstruction of the airways.
   • Use remedies that contain menthol, such as Vick's, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus.

8. 

   Use a soft tissue to wipe the runny nose. Incorrect cleaning of the nose can cause irritation and worsening of sinus infections. If you have a runny nose from a sinus infection, use an ultra-soft tissue. Choose a product that has a moisturizing or cooling effect to soothe and moisturize your nose when wiping, thus avoiding discomfort.

9. 

   Wash your nose with a Neti bottle. Nasal washing is the process of pouring a saline solution into one nostril and draining it out through the other nostril. As it travels through the sinuses, the salt water helps to moisten and clear the sinus infection. If desired, you can wash your nose as often as possible to clear your sinuses quickly. However, research shows that if applied too often, this method can have the opposite effect. Therefore, you should only wash your nose with salt water for 1-3 weeks. Wash your nose with salt water according to the instructions below:
   • Microwave 120-240 ml of distilled or purified water or place on the stove to warm. Be sure to use clean water to wash your nose because dirty water can carry harmful bacteria into your sinuses. If you are not sure, boil the water and let it cool.
   • Put the water in a bottle or bottle to prepare your nose. The Neti pot is the most popular tool, but you can also use other tools.
   • Pour pre-mixed saline solution into water. Prepared saline is usually sold with Neti bottles or sold separately. Follow the preparation instructions on the package.
   • Pour salt water into one nostril, tilt your head to drain the other nostril and into the wash basin.

10. 

    Consider taking an herbal supplement. There are many "natural" ingredients that can be found online or at health food stores to help treat a sinus infection. The supplement contains small amounts of herbs, contains no chemicals, and is believed to help relieve the symptoms of a sinus infection. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of most dietary supplements. Besides, quality control standards of functional foods are not the same as "real" drugs, so they should be used with caution.
    • You can find herbal supplements online based on your search engine keywords. Here are some ingredients that are helpful in the treatment of sinus infections:
      • Eucalyptus (put in bath water)
      • Peppermint essential oil (in bath water)
      • Garlic (to eat)
      • Chamomile (add to tea)
      • Turmeric (in tea)
    • Use caution when using supplements because the purity and effectiveness of dietary supplements are not FDA regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
    advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Motivate yourself and feel better

1. 

   Take a hot bath. Taking a hot bath can help you feel better as you recover from a sinus infection. The heat not only helps open your nasal passages, but also helps you feel relaxed and refreshed for the new day.

2. 

   Cool swollen eyes. Swollen, red, and irritated eyes are symptoms that often accompany a sinus infection. Cooling the swollen eyes will help the eyes feel more relaxed and comfortable. There are many ways to cool the eyes:
   • Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrap in a tissue. Close your eyes and apply ice to your eyelids for 5-10 minutes.

3. 

   Get the sun. Believe it or not, in fact, the sun has a huge impact on your health. The human body needs vitamin D (which is produced when the skin absorbs sunlight) for many important processes, including the function of the immune system. Besides, sunlight also helps fight depression - a significant benefit when you have a sinus infection.
   • As long as the sky is not overcast, you can receive sunlight at all times. If in winter, you can sit by the window to read and catch the sun. If it's warmer outside, you can go out to the garden for a walk.

4. 

   Massage. When you have a sinus infection, you often feel it not feeling well in person and low mood. Massage is a great way to improve your mood. The gentle pressure created helps you relax, feel better, and forget your symptoms (at least at the time of the massage).
   • You can massage your face yourself. This is an extremely good remedy if your sinus infection puts pressure and pain in your face. To massage your face, use your fingers to press gently between the eyebrows, above the nose. Press and massage gently for about 1 minute. Then, slowly move your fingers, while at the same time massage around the face, starting from the forehead, down the temples, cheeks, and jaw.
   advertisement

Advice

• See your doctor for diagnosis and support in treating your sinus infection. Improper treatment of a sinus infection can make the illness worse.