Your sinuses are blocked and you don’t know what to do. Blowing your nose doesn’t help, and your whole head feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton. Your nose hurts, your face hurts, and you’re just plain miserable.
Even though your symptoms might have, at first, seemed like those of a common cold, they’ve gone on for weeks longer than they should have. If such symptoms last for 12 weeks or more, it’s not a cold, it’s sinusitis — a sinus infection — and it’s not going to go away on its own.
Almost 29 million women and men in the United States develop sinusitis in a given year. If you have asthma or allergies, you’re at heightened risk for chronic sinusitis.
Catherine Fuller, MD, is an allergy expert in West Los Angeles, California, who also diagnoses and treats sinus infections, including chronic sinusitis. Here, she provides four tips on how to relieve your sinus congestion before seeing your doctor to resolve the infection.
If you have allergies, you’re more susceptible to sinus infections because your allergic reactions can inflame the tender tissues that line the hollow sinuses in your skull. Be sure you take your allergy medications at the first sign of sinusitis to help subdue the inflammation.
If you know that you’re prone to sinus infections, you might also take your allergy medications prophylactically, meaning as a preventive measure. If you suspect you’re going to be subjected to an allergen — whether it’s ragweed, pet dander, or dust mites — take your allergy medicines before symptoms start.
To reduce your chances of chronic sinus infections, you might consider immunotherapy. This long-term treatment reduces your reaction to allergens, which can help prevent sinus infections.
Anything that’s strongly scented can further irritate your sinus and nasal linings, leading to more pain. Avoid:
One exception to strong scents is natural oils that have decongestant properties, such as menthol or eucalyptus.
Irritation is bad for sinuses, but irrigation is good. Use a neti pot, saline nasal flush, or humidifiers to clear your sinuses and keep them moist. Be sure you follow all of the recommended steps to avoid worsening your infection or inflammation.
Ready to neti? Here’s how to do it correctly and safely:
To sterilize water, boil it for several minutes and then let it cool to lukewarm. Never use water directly from the tap for your neti pot because it could contain pathogens that worsen your infection. To use filtered water, look for terms on the filter label such as 1 micron or smaller pore size, NSF 53, NSF 58, cyst removal, or cyst reduction.
To make your own saline mixture, combine three parts of noniodized salt with one part baking soda in a clean jar. Stir thoroughly. Use one teaspoon of this mixture with one cup of sterile, lukewarm water. Put a lid on the jar to store it.
Your body needs plenty of fluids to thin out thickened mucus so it can drain from your sinuses and nasal passages. Water, soups, and unsweetened warm herbal teas are good ways to keep your mucus thin and flowing.
Avoid sugary beverages, however, which may worsen inflammation. Caffeine, alcohol, too much dietary salt, and tobacco can create blood circulation problems that prevent your sinuses from returning to normal.
These tips can help keep you comfortable, but don’t hesitate to seek treatment for a bothersome sinus infection. Call us or visit us immediately if you notice symptoms such as:
For expert care when you have a sinus infection, contact Catherine Fuller, MD, by phone or online today.
