Discover the most effective ways to manage acute sinus infection. From home remedies to prescription treatments, learn how to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.

Understanding Acute Sinusitis: Symptoms and Causes

Acute sinusitis, also known as acute rhinosinusitis, is a common condition characterized by inflammation and infection of the sinuses. This type of sinus infection typically lasts less than 4 weeks and is often triggered by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, or by exposure to environmental irritants. Symptoms of acute sinusitis may include nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, headaches, and a thick, discolored nasal discharge.

Diagnosing Acute Sinusitis: When to Seek Medical Attention

If you are experiencing persistent or severe sinus symptoms, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and potentially order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or endoscopy, to determine the underlying cause of your sinus infection and provide appropriate treatment recommendations.

Home Remedies for Acute Sinus Infection

In many cases, acute sinus infections can be effectively managed with simple home remedies. These include:

• Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, can help thin mucus and promote drainage, reducing inflammation and pressure in the sinuses.
• Nasal Irrigation: Using a neti pot or other nasal irrigation system with a saline solution can help flush out the sinuses and alleviate symptoms.
• Steam Therapy: Taking hot showers or using a steam bowl can help loosen mucus and ease congestion.
• Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Consuming foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties, such as garlic, ginger, and berries, may help reduce swelling and support the body’s natural healing process.
• Essential Oils: Some people find relief in using certain essential oils, such as eucalyptus or peppermint, by applying them topically or using them in a diffuser. However, it is important to use caution and consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils.

Over-the-Counter Medications for Acute Sinus Infection

If home remedies are not providing sufficient relief, over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be an option. These include:

• Decongestants: OTC decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, can help reduce swelling and improve drainage by narrowing the blood vessels in the sinuses.
• Antihistamines: Antihistamines, like cetirizine or loratadine, may help alleviate symptoms by reducing inflammation and mucus production.
• Pain Relievers: OTC pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help relieve headaches, facial pain, and other discomforts associated with acute sinusitis.

It is important to follow the instructions on the medication label and consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Prescription Treatments for Acute Sinus Infection

In some cases, particularly when the sinus infection is caused by a bacterial infection, a healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotics or other medications to help treat the underlying condition and alleviate symptoms. These include:

• Antibiotics: Prescription antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or azithromycin, may be prescribed for bacterial sinus infections that do not improve with home remedies or OTC medications.
• Corticosteroids: Nasal or oral corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and swelling in the sinuses.
• Decongestants: Prescription-strength decongestants may be used in combination with other medications to provide more effective relief for severe sinus infections.

It is important to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare professional and to complete the full course of any prescribed medication.

Preventing Recurrent Acute Sinus Infections

To help prevent the recurrence of acute sinus infections, consider the following strategies:

• Maintain Sinus Hygiene: Practice good sinus hygiene, such as regular nasal irrigation and the use of saline sprays or rinses, to keep the sinuses clean and reduce the risk of infection.
• Manage Underlying Conditions: If you have any underlying health conditions, such as allergies or a weakened immune system, work with your healthcare provider to manage these conditions and reduce your risk of sinus infections.
• Avoid Irritants: Steer clear of known irritants, such as cigarette smoke or environmental pollutants, which can trigger or exacerbate sinus inflammation and infection.
• Seek Professional Guidance: If you experience recurrent or chronic sinus infections, consult with an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) to identify and address any underlying causes or risk factors.

Seeking Medical Intervention for Persistent or Severe Sinus Infections

If your sinus infection does not improve with home remedies or over-the-counter medications, or if you experience severe or persistent symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional treatments, such as prescription medications, sinus irrigation, or even surgery, depending on the underlying cause and severity of your condition.

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatment options for acute sinus infections, you can take proactive steps to manage your condition and promote a speedy recovery. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist or worsen, as they can provide personalized guidance and ensure you receive the most appropriate care.

How to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection: Home Remedies and Medication

Home remedies may help manage the symptoms of a sinus infection. Many sinus infections improve independently, but some bacterial cases may require antibiotics.

Read on to learn what you can do to support your healing from a sinus infection.

Sinusitis can be acute, subacute, or chronic. These classifications relate to the duration of symptoms. Acute sinusitis typically lasts less than 4 weeks, subacute lasts 4–12 weeks, and chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or longer.

Most sinus infections occur due to a viral infection or airborne irritant and typically get better on their own. However, bacterial sinus infections can improve with a course of antibiotic treatment.

Adequate hydration is essential to overall good health. Drinking plenty of fluids allows the body to fight infections properly and aids recovery.

In the case of sinusitis, adequate hydration helps maintain the strength of the skin and mucous membranes within the sinuses, which can help reduce irritation, thin mucus, and prevent further infection.

Learn more about how much water adults should drink in a day here.

Most sinus infections resolve independently within 2–3 weeks. During this time, it is important to give the body ample opportunity to fight infection. Avoiding exertion and resting where possible may hasten recovery.

Nasal irrigation is a process often used to ease the symptoms of sinusitis. Research suggests using a neti pot with a saline solution can eliminate some symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

Follow the directions supplied with your specific neti pot. Here are general directions:

1. Fill the pot with the saline solution.
2. Incline your head over the sink at a 45-degree angle.
3. Insert the spout of the pot into your top nostril. Carefully pour the saline solution down that nostril.
4. Repeat the process with the other nostril.

Be careful to sanitize your neti pot after every use, and only use distilled water. Water straight from the sink may have contaminants, like bacteria or parasites, which could make your condition worse.

Other forms of nasal irrigators are available in different shapes and sizes and provide the same benefits.

Learn more about using neti pots here.

Keeping your sinuses hydrated can help relieve pressure. Here are some tips for hydrated sinuses:

• At night, sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom to help relieve nighttime nasal blockages.
• During the day and before bed, use natural saline nasal sprays.
• Take hot showers, or use steam bowls to help ease congestion and swelling.

Learn more about steam inhalation here.

Adding natural antibacterial foods like garlic, ginger, and honey to your meals may help bolster the body’s infection-fighting processes.

Some foods also have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce swelling from sinus infections. These include berries, green leafy vegetables, and oily fish.

However, research into the direct application of diet changes for symptom relief in sinus infection is minimal, and support is typically anecdotal.

Learn more about natural antibiotics here.

Some claim that topical application and inhalation of essential oils can help alleviate symptoms of sinus congestion. For example, one in vitro tissue study suggested that 1,8-cineole, the main component of eucalyptus oil, may have an anti-inflammatory effect on human tissues. Further research is necessary to assess the efficacy of these oils in human cases.

To alleviate sinus or upper respiratory infections, people often use oil externally on the temples or chest or inhale via a diffuser when the oil is added to boiling water. Make sure you only use food-grade essential oils. Rub one drop of each oil on the roof of your mouth, then drink a glass of water.

It is important only to use essential oils as directed, as inhalation can cause airway irritation and potentially worsen symptoms.

Learn more about using essential oils to treat sinus congestion here.

Applying warm compresses may help with general pain from sinus congestion.

This will not treat the infection itself, but placing a warm, damp towel around the nose, cheeks, and eyes can help promote drainage of nasal secretions, providing relief from symptoms.

If you’re not finding relief from home remedies, ask your pharmacist to recommend an OTC treatment.

OTC decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), may relieve sinusitis symptoms by narrowing the blood vessels. This helps reduce inflammation and swelling. It may improve the flow of drainage from the sinuses.

If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking pseudoephedrine. There’s a line of cold and sinus medications for people with high blood pressure called Coricidin HBP.

However, these medications are not suitable for children. People should only take decongestants as explicitly recommended.

Other OTC medications for managing generalized sinus pain include:

• aspirin
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

If an allergic reaction causes nasal congestion, antihistamines may help block inflammation.

Always follow your pharmacist’s advice and the guidelines on the package when taking OTC medications.

Learn more about OTC antihistamines here.

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics in cases of chronic sinusitis or if your sinus infection is bacterial. Your primary care provider will determine whether bacteria or a virus causes your sinus infection. They’ll do this by:

• asking about your symptoms
• carrying out a physical examination
• swabbing the inside of your nose (not routinely done)

Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a common prescription drug for acute sinus infections. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is often prescribed for a bacterial sinus infection. However, this medication is not suitable for people with a penicillin allergy, in which case, doctors will prescribe a suitable alternative.

Depending on the type of antibiotic, a person may need to take them for up to three weeks. It’s important to take antibiotics as long as your doctor prescribes them. Don’t stop taking them early, even if your symptoms improve as this can result in antibiotic resistance.

Consult your doctor if you or someone else has:

• a persistent temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
• symptoms that have lasted for more than 10 days
• symptoms that are getting worse
• symptoms that aren’t eased by OTC medication
• several sinus infections over the past year

If you have a sinus infection for eight weeks or more or have more than four sinus infections per year, you may have chronic sinusitis. Common causes of chronic sinusitis are:

• allergies
• nasal growths
• respiratory tract infections

A sinus infection occurs when the tissue in the sinuses swells up. This leads to a buildup of mucus, pain, and discomfort.

The sinuses are the air-filled pockets in the bones of the face that form the top part of the respiratory tract. These pockets run from the nose into the throat.

Factors that may stop the sinuses from draining include:

• the common cold
• hay fever
• exposure to allergens
• changes in air pressure

Viruses cause 9 out of 10 sinus infections in adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To reduce your risk for sinus infection:

• Wash your hands often, especially after you’ve been in crowded places like public transportation.
• Keep up to date with recommended immunizations.
• Limit exposure to people with colds or other upper respiratory infections, if possible.
• Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Use a clean humidifier to keep the air moist in your home.
• Get plenty of rest if you have a cold to reduce your risk for complications like sinusitis.

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• nasal congestion
• loss of sense of smell
• postnasal drip
• green nasal discharge
• tenderness under the eyes or on the bridge of the nose
• pain in the forehead or temples
• cough
• fatigue
• fever
• bad breath

Sinus infections are very common. Symptoms normally go away on their own within 10 days. OTC medications and natural remedies may help relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms last more than 10 days, talk with your doctor.

Read this article in Spanish.

How to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection: Home Remedies and Medication

Home remedies may help manage the symptoms of a sinus infection. Many sinus infections improve independently, but some bacterial cases may require antibiotics.

Read on to learn what you can do to support your healing from a sinus infection.

Sinusitis can be acute, subacute, or chronic. These classifications relate to the duration of symptoms. Acute sinusitis typically lasts less than 4 weeks, subacute lasts 4–12 weeks, and chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or longer.

Most sinus infections occur due to a viral infection or airborne irritant and typically get better on their own. However, bacterial sinus infections can improve with a course of antibiotic treatment.

Adequate hydration is essential to overall good health. Drinking plenty of fluids allows the body to fight infections properly and aids recovery.

In the case of sinusitis, adequate hydration helps maintain the strength of the skin and mucous membranes within the sinuses, which can help reduce irritation, thin mucus, and prevent further infection.

Learn more about how much water adults should drink in a day here.

Most sinus infections resolve independently within 2–3 weeks. During this time, it is important to give the body ample opportunity to fight infection. Avoiding exertion and resting where possible may hasten recovery.

Nasal irrigation is a process often used to ease the symptoms of sinusitis. Research suggests using a neti pot with a saline solution can eliminate some symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

Follow the directions supplied with your specific neti pot. Here are general directions:

1. Fill the pot with the saline solution.
2. Incline your head over the sink at a 45-degree angle.
3. Insert the spout of the pot into your top nostril. Carefully pour the saline solution down that nostril.
4. Repeat the process with the other nostril.

Be careful to sanitize your neti pot after every use, and only use distilled water. Water straight from the sink may have contaminants, like bacteria or parasites, which could make your condition worse.

Other forms of nasal irrigators are available in different shapes and sizes and provide the same benefits.

Learn more about using neti pots here.

Keeping your sinuses hydrated can help relieve pressure. Here are some tips for hydrated sinuses:

• At night, sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom to help relieve nighttime nasal blockages.
• During the day and before bed, use natural saline nasal sprays.
• Take hot showers, or use steam bowls to help ease congestion and swelling.

Learn more about steam inhalation here.

Adding natural antibacterial foods like garlic, ginger, and honey to your meals may help bolster the body’s infection-fighting processes.

Some foods also have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce swelling from sinus infections. These include berries, green leafy vegetables, and oily fish.

However, research into the direct application of diet changes for symptom relief in sinus infection is minimal, and support is typically anecdotal.

Learn more about natural antibiotics here.

Some claim that topical application and inhalation of essential oils can help alleviate symptoms of sinus congestion. For example, one in vitro tissue study suggested that 1,8-cineole, the main component of eucalyptus oil, may have an anti-inflammatory effect on human tissues. Further research is necessary to assess the efficacy of these oils in human cases.

To alleviate sinus or upper respiratory infections, people often use oil externally on the temples or chest or inhale via a diffuser when the oil is added to boiling water. Make sure you only use food-grade essential oils. Rub one drop of each oil on the roof of your mouth, then drink a glass of water.

It is important only to use essential oils as directed, as inhalation can cause airway irritation and potentially worsen symptoms.

Learn more about using essential oils to treat sinus congestion here.

Applying warm compresses may help with general pain from sinus congestion.

This will not treat the infection itself, but placing a warm, damp towel around the nose, cheeks, and eyes can help promote drainage of nasal secretions, providing relief from symptoms.

If you’re not finding relief from home remedies, ask your pharmacist to recommend an OTC treatment.

OTC decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), may relieve sinusitis symptoms by narrowing the blood vessels. This helps reduce inflammation and swelling. It may improve the flow of drainage from the sinuses.

If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking pseudoephedrine. There’s a line of cold and sinus medications for people with high blood pressure called Coricidin HBP.

However, these medications are not suitable for children. People should only take decongestants as explicitly recommended.

Other OTC medications for managing generalized sinus pain include:

• aspirin
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

If an allergic reaction causes nasal congestion, antihistamines may help block inflammation.

Always follow your pharmacist’s advice and the guidelines on the package when taking OTC medications.

Learn more about OTC antihistamines here.

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics in cases of chronic sinusitis or if your sinus infection is bacterial. Your primary care provider will determine whether bacteria or a virus causes your sinus infection. They’ll do this by:

• asking about your symptoms
• carrying out a physical examination
• swabbing the inside of your nose (not routinely done)

Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a common prescription drug for acute sinus infections. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is often prescribed for a bacterial sinus infection. However, this medication is not suitable for people with a penicillin allergy, in which case, doctors will prescribe a suitable alternative.

Depending on the type of antibiotic, a person may need to take them for up to three weeks. It’s important to take antibiotics as long as your doctor prescribes them. Don’t stop taking them early, even if your symptoms improve as this can result in antibiotic resistance.

Consult your doctor if you or someone else has:

• a persistent temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
• symptoms that have lasted for more than 10 days
• symptoms that are getting worse
• symptoms that aren’t eased by OTC medication
• several sinus infections over the past year

If you have a sinus infection for eight weeks or more or have more than four sinus infections per year, you may have chronic sinusitis. Common causes of chronic sinusitis are:

• allergies
• nasal growths
• respiratory tract infections

A sinus infection occurs when the tissue in the sinuses swells up. This leads to a buildup of mucus, pain, and discomfort.

The sinuses are the air-filled pockets in the bones of the face that form the top part of the respiratory tract. These pockets run from the nose into the throat.

Factors that may stop the sinuses from draining include:

• the common cold
• hay fever
• exposure to allergens
• changes in air pressure

Viruses cause 9 out of 10 sinus infections in adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To reduce your risk for sinus infection:

• Wash your hands often, especially after you’ve been in crowded places like public transportation.
• Keep up to date with recommended immunizations.
• Limit exposure to people with colds or other upper respiratory infections, if possible.
• Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Use a clean humidifier to keep the air moist in your home.
• Get plenty of rest if you have a cold to reduce your risk for complications like sinusitis.

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• nasal congestion
• loss of sense of smell
• postnasal drip
• green nasal discharge
• tenderness under the eyes or on the bridge of the nose
• pain in the forehead or temples
• cough
• fatigue
• fever
• bad breath

Sinus infections are very common. Symptoms normally go away on their own within 10 days. OTC medications and natural remedies may help relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms last more than 10 days, talk with your doctor.

Read this article in Spanish.

What to do for pain in the sinuses

• apples from sudden fluctuations in temperature when inhaled, moisturize inhaled air buffers a direct blow to the skull. Thanks to their presence, the voice of each person has a unique timbre. Unpleasant, painful sensations in the region of the paranasal sinuses can signal a pathology. If the disease is not detected in time, the treatment can take a long time and require surgical intervention.

  Pain in the sinuses of the nose: what to do

  Diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses can be triggered by microorganisms, injuries, allergens. The risk of ENT diseases increases with hypothermia, a decrease in the protective functions of the body, due to the adverse effects of the environment (polluted air). Allergic reactions can be caused by both seasonal factors (plant pollen) and everyday factors (dust, animal dander, household chemicals).

  The common name for inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is sinusitis. By localization distinguish:

  • Frontitis affecting the frontal sinuses.
  • Ethmoiditis – ethmoidal labyrinth.
  • Sinusitis – maxillary sections.
  • Sphenoiditis – sphenoid sinus.
  • Pansinusitis – whole sinuses.
  • Hemisinusitis – several sinuses.

  If you have sinusitis, you need to see a doctor. Inflammatory processes in the frontal sinuses and ethmoid bone are especially dangerous, since the risk of accumulation of pus inside the skull and the development of an abscess or meningitis increases.

  Causes

  The main cause of sinusitis is colds, viral diseases like influenza or SARS. The secretions must be drained in time, but if there is a lot of mucus, it is viscous, the sinuses become blocked, pathogens accumulate, causing even more inflammation. The common cold turns into sinusitis.

  As for the maxillary sinuses, they can become inflamed due to both colds and dental diseases. The roots of caries-affected teeth of the upper jaw are located close to the maxillary sinus, inflammation can spread to the nasal cavity. Often, when asked what to do if the sinus hurts, the therapist recommends visiting a dentist and undergoing an oral examination. It is important not to lead to serious complications, because sometimes it is easier to cure your teeth than to deal with the consequences of sinusitis.

  Acute sinusitis turns into a chronic stage with reduced immunity, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal diseases, blood diseases, adenoids, deviated nasal septum. If you have been diagnosed with the listed diseases and conditions, be especially attentive to how you feel during a cold.

  Symptoms

  Fever and decreased visual acuity are rare in sinusitis, although such manifestations of the disease are not excluded. But still, patients usually complain of a number of characteristic symptoms. When choosing what to do if your sinus hurts, make sure that this is not a common runny nose.

  Signs:

  • Pressure in the head.
  • Increased pain when bending forward and down.
  • Lachrymation.
  • Bursting pains in the infraorbital region, above the eyebrows, in the cheekbones.
  • Discharge of pus from the nostrils, sometimes mixed with blood.
  • Congestion, difficulty in breathing through the nose.
  • Swelling of the face.

  If only one sinus is inflamed, then the affected area can be determined by severe symptoms. So, if the frontal sinuses are affected, then the forehead will hurt, and if the maxillary sinuses, then under the eyes. The problem is that at home it is difficult to figure out what to do if the sinuses are clogged. As long as you use the usual methods of treatment, for example, inhalations, warming, plant-based drops, the disease progresses. The inflammation continues to develop, affecting several sinuses at the same time, which can lead to damage to the meninges, and this is extremely life-threatening. That is why the appeal to the doctor should be timely.

  What to do if your sinuses are inflamed

  First of all, when sinusitis develops, you should not self-medicate. The main mistake that patients make is heating the inflamed area. Overheating can cause pus to spread, which damages the brain, which can lead to disability and sometimes death.

  Do not rinse your own nose either. You can irrigate the nostrils with saline, but do not engage in aggressive washing: there is a risk of driving the infection deeper.

  If you suspect a disease of the paranasal sinuses:

  • Rhinoscopy.
  • Endoscopy.
  • Laboratory tests for nasal discharge.
  • Radiography.
  • Computed tomography.

  Screening is the main assistant to the doctor. Diagnosis allows not to miss serious complications and choose the tactics of treatment.

  How to behave in case of pain in the paranasal sinuses

  So, what to do when the sinus under the eye hurts: suspect sinusitis. Use nasal sprays to thin mucus, drink plenty of fluids, stay in bed, do not get cold, see a doctor.

  What to do if the frontal sinuses hurt: do not wait to see an otolaryngologist. Due to the proximity of the brain, damage to its membranes is possible, which leads to disastrous consequences.

  But any treatment should start with a diagnosis. With sinusitis, deviated septum, polyps, one cannot do without radiography and its modern form – CBCT. Residents of Moscow and the Moscow region can do a CT scan of the sinuses at the modern 3D MEDICA diagnostic center. Do not start diseases of the paranasal sinuses – they are more dangerous than it might seem at first glance. Come to us with a referral from a doctor or on your own. All studies are safe for health.

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  not just a runny nose – useful information for patients, Vitbiomed clinic blog +

  Text: Irina Frolova

  symptom colds. Most of us do not pay attention to it, especially if there is no temperature. The joke that if a runny nose is not treated, it will pass in 7 days, and if treated, in a week, is known to everyone. However, a common cold can lead to serious consequences.

  If a runny nose lasts longer than a week and does not go away, but on the contrary, it is accompanied by a headache, a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the forehead and cheekbones, then most likely you have developed a dangerous complication – sinusitis.

  Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the sinuses. Depending on the sinus in which inflammation has developed, there are several types of sinusitis. The most famous of them is sinusitis, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Less known, but no less dangerous, is frontal sinusitis (inflammation of the frontal sinus), sphenoiditis (inflammation of the sphenoid sinus) and ethmoiditis (inflammation of the ethmoid sinus). Complications of influenza and SARS usually become sinusitis and frontal sinusitis.

  The main danger of sinusitis is that the sinuses are located in close proximity to the brain. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the sinuses is accompanied by the formation of pus. Blood, passing through the blood vessels of the sinuses, enters directly into the brain, and along with the blood flow, infectious agents (pus) can also enter the brain, which can lead to the development of meningitis – inflammation of the meninges.

  And this is not to mention the fact that sinusitis and frontal sinusitis in themselves cause extremely painful sensations.

  So how to avoid dangerous complications?

  Often, the development of sinusitis results from improper treatment of the “common cold” that accompanies acute respiratory infections or influenza. A runny nose becomes chronic, the infection is not removed, but develops and leads to complications.

  At first, the discharge from a cold is watery, transparent, then clear mucus begins to be released. If the discharge becomes yellow-green and thick, then a purulent process has developed.

  If this happens, you should consult a doctor (general practitioner or otolaryngologist), who will conduct an examination (examination, x-ray of the sinuses) and prescribe antibiotic treatment and physiotherapy. Prolonged infection without treatment can lead to severe complications. The puncture of the sinuses for pumping out pus is currently rarely used, in severely advanced stages of sinusitis.

  Blow your nose properly! With a common cold, you can provoke sinusitis if you blow your nose through both nostrils at once. So infected mucus can get from the nasal cavity into the sinus, and sinusitis will develop. You should blow your nose by pressing the nostril with your finger in turn.