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.

5 Home Remedies for Sinus Drainage

To ease sinus discomfort, aim to drink plenty of fluids and use a humidifier to keep the air moist. You can also try nasal irrigation, chicken soup, or manuka honey — but call a doctor if your symptoms last more than 10 days.

You know the feeling. Your nose is either plugged or like a leaky faucet, and your head feels like it’s in a vise. It feels better to keep your eyes closed because they’re puffy and sore. And your throat feels like you swallowed nails.

Read on for six natural ways that can help drain your sinuses

Sinus problems can be uncomfortable. However, there are effective remedies, from chicken soup to compresses, that you can use to alleviate the pain and discomfort of sinus issues.

1. Water, water everywhere

Drink fluids and run a humidifier or vaporizer.

Why is this important? Fluids and humidification help to thin mucus and drain your sinuses. They also lubricate your sinuses and keep your skin hydrated.

Hot beverages, like herbal tea, can be especially hydrating. Hot beverages also provide an extra benefit from the steam.

2. Nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation is very effective at relieving nasal congestion and irritation.

Saline irrigation simply means gently flushing out your nasal passages with a saline solution. You can do this with special squeeze bottles, bulb syringes, or a neti pot.

A neti pot is an inexpensive apparatus that looks like Aladdin’s lamp. The saline mixture is available prepackaged. You can also make your own by following these steps:

• Mix 3 teaspoons of iodine-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda to create a dry mixture.
• Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the dry mixture in 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) of distilled, sterilized, or filtered water.

To capture the liquid, you will want to irrigate your sinuses while standing over a sink or basin. Pour, spray, or squirt a liberal amount of the solution into one nostril while tilting your head so it flows out the other nostril. Do this with each nostril. It also flushes away bacteria and irritants.

Be sure to thoroughly clean your neti pot after each use, as bacteria can build up inside. In addition, never use straight tap water as this may contain bacteria that can infect your sinuses. If you do use tap water, be sure to boil it beforehand.

3. Steam

Steam helps relieve congestion by loosening mucus.

Give yourself a steam treatment using a bowl of hot water and a large towel. Add menthol, camphor, or eucalyptus oils to the water if you like.

Place the towel over your head so it falls along the sides of the bowl, trapping the steam inside. Most people do this until the steam dissipates. The steam from a hot shower can also work but is a less concentrated experience.

4. Chicken soup

One older 2000 study found that chicken soup reduces inflammation associated with sinus congestion and colds.

So what’s the secret? Scientists haven’t identified the active ingredient in chicken soup, but they speculate that the steam combined with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the soup’s ingredients are what help clear the sinuses.

5. Warm and cold compresses

Rotating warm and cold compresses on your sinuses should also help.

1. Lay back with a warm compress draped across your nose, cheeks, and forehead for three minutes.
2. Remove the warm compress and replace it with a cold compress for 30 seconds.
3. Do this two to three times.

You can repeat this process two to six times each day.

6. Manuka honey

Honey may be a good alternative when a bacterial infection is causing your sinus congestion.

Some research suggests that honey has antibacterial properties. Manuka honey, in particular, has many therapeutic uses.

Try adding manuka honey to a cup of warm herbal tea.

Your sinus trouble can be caused by a number of things, including sinusitis and rhinitis.

Sinusitis is an infection that causes inflammation and swelling of your sinuses. It is most commonly caused by a viral infection but can also be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, as well as by an environmental allergy.

If you have allergic rhinitis, your immune system triggers the release of histamines that irritate your nasal membranes. This leads to congestion and sneezing. Allergic rhinitis can lead to sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis is an inflammatory condition that normally lasts more than three months. Nasal polyps, which are noncancerous growths, can accompany chronic sinusitis.

It’s time to see your doctor if you experience:

• symptoms that last longer than 10 days
• a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
• symptoms that get worse, including a spike in your fever or increased greenish nasal discharge
• changes in vision

You should also see a doctor if you have asthma or emphysema or if you take medications that suppress your immune system.

What is the best position to drain your sinuses?

Keeping your head elevated, especially when lying down, can help drain your sinuses naturally with gravity.

What is the best drink for sinus drainage?

Other than plain water, you can try warm water with honey, tea, broth, or juice.

How do I clear my sinuses immediately?

Since sinusitis is most commonly an infection, you’ll probably need to either wait for the virus to clear your system or take antibiotics for a bacterial infection. Your allergy medicines can help with chronic sinusitis, but see your doctor to make sure you’re on the best treatment course. That said, you can get some temporary, immediate relief by rinsing your sinuses with saline with a saline spray or a neti pot.

According to the AAO-HNS, around 30 million Americans have at least one bout of sinusitis each year. But these easy home remedies can help relieve your symptoms and ease your breathing.

Treatment of chronic sinusitis (bulla resection, concha bullosa) – Dr. Korenchenko Clinic

In humans, holes in the so-called paranasal sinuses (sinuses) open into the nasal passages. These are air cavities lined with ciliated epithelium in the bones of the facial skull, the formation of which is completed after puberty. With inflammation of the mucous membrane of one or more of these sinuses, they speak of sinusitis. Competent treatment of sinusitis should take into account the etiology and nature of inflammation, as well as the age of the patient.

Most often, sinusitis means damage to the maxillary or maxillary sinuses (sinusitis). In fact, inflammation of the frontal sinuses (frontal sinusitis), the main or sphenoid sinus (sphenoiditis), and the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth (ethmoiditis) are also possible. With the defeat of the cavities that open in one half of the nose, they talk about hemisinusitis. And in case of inflammation of all the sinuses – about pansinusitis. The duration of the disease can be acute and chronic. Chronic sinusitis is often caused by improper home treatment of sinusitis.

With inflammation in the paranasal sinuses, secretion processes with accumulation of exudate may predominate. In this case, they talk about the exudative form of sinusitis, which is catarrhal, serous and purulent in nature.

The disease most often has an infectious nature and is caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria. Moreover, bacterial inflammation often joins a second time, which leads to suppuration of the secret accumulated in the affected sinus. Less common are allergic and post-traumatic sinusitis. And sinusitis is sometimes odontogenic (tooth) in origin. It is caused by inflammation, defects in treatment, or improper eruption of deep-seated canines of the upper jaw. And the treatment of sinusitis in this case is carried out simultaneously by an ENT doctor and a dentist.

How to treat sinusitis correctly?

Self-treatment for sinusitis is fraught with the transition of the disease into a chronic form, the spread of inflammation to other sinuses and adjacent anatomical formations. Particularly dangerous complications are sepsis and the development of basal leptomeningitis with damage to the base of the brain and its membranes. Therefore, the appearance of signs of inflammation in the sinuses requires a visit to a doctor, since it is necessary to treat sinusitis competently, in a timely manner and comprehensively.

Proper treatment of sinusitis allows you to solve several problems:

• sinus cleansing from accumulated exudate, which is especially important in case of purulent inflammation;
• reduction of mucosal edema;
• reduced mucus production;
• destruction of pathogenic flora.

Conservative treatment of sinusitis in adults includes the use of drug therapy, drainage and washing of the sinuses, physiotherapy. Usually drugs with a local vasoconstrictive effect (decongestants), mucolytics, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. In the case of a bacterial infection, antibiotics for local and systemic therapy are indicated, it is advisable to select them taking into account the sensitivity of pathogens. Antihistamines are added to the basic treatment of sinusitis.

The use of agents with a vasoconstrictive effect is an essential component of therapy. Decongestants temporarily reversibly anemize the inflamed mucosa, which leads to a decrease in its swelling. As a result, the diameter of fistulas between the nasal cavity and sinuses increases, the aeration of the nasal passages and sinuses improves, and the outflow of accumulated exudate is facilitated. But this is usually not enough to fully cleanse the inflamed area. Therefore, in the treatment of sinusitis, puncture and non-puncture methods are widely used.

A puncture (or puncture) allows you to quickly remove the exudate, rinse the sinus cavity and inject the drug directly to the site of inflammation. But at the same time, the normal outflow is not restored, so the procedure is often repeated. Puncture-free methods can complement surgical treatment or be used independently.

Sinusitis in children: are there any special treatment for sinusitis in children?

The development of sinusitis in a child requires special attention. The use of antimicrobial, vasoconstrictive and mucolytic drugs in severe sinusitis is complemented by passive immunostimulatory and immunoreplacement therapy. After all, this disease in childhood tends to be severe, with the rapid spread of infection and the development of ophthalmic and intracranial complications.

Be sure to use non-puncture methods for suction of exudate, and with purulent sinusitis, a puncture is indicated. At the same time, they try to avoid active washing of the sinuses and forcing air into them.

Treatment at Dr. Korenchenko’s clinic: are there any differences?

See also
Treatment of ENT diseases
Inferior turbinate vasotomy (MC reduction)
Sinusitis
Treatment of allergic rhinitis

Treatment of sinusitis in our clinic is carried out in accordance with the basic therapy regimen. Examination is carried out, drugs of different groups are prescribed …

In addition to the above, the clinic uses a surgical laser for endoscopic plasty of the structures of the ostiomeatal complex (the so-called key zone in the middle nasal passage, where the mouths of the anterior group of the paranasal sinuses open).

What are the advantages of laser plasty in the treatment of sinusitis in adults? This gentle and painless technique allows you to quickly and accurately open the swollen fistulas of the paranasal sinuses, clean the inflamed cavities from pus. Unlike a puncture, the effect of laser plastic surgery lasts for a long time.

The use of modern techniques in the treatment of sinusitis allows you to quickly cope with inflammation. This significantly reduces the risk of complications, prevents the transition of the disease into a chronic form and in a short time restores the patient’s ability to work.

Sinusitis treatment | MC Garant

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Garant > Articles > Treatment of sinusitis

Treatment for sinusitis can vary depending on the specific type of disease. Sinusitis is a number of diseases associated with ENT organs: sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis, sphenoiditis – they are all different types of inflammation of the nasal sinuses. When this happens, pus begins to accumulate in the sinuses, which, in turn, causes weakness, malaise and a number of other unpleasant symptoms in the patient. If you suspect that you have sinusitis, treatment should be postponed until you visit a doctor: only a specialist will be able to specify your disease and give effective advice on how to eliminate it. However, the initial diagnosis can help prevent the development of the disease if it is followed by a visit to the doctor. What should I pay attention to not miss the onset of sinusitis?

Chronic and acute sinusitis: before starting treatment

As a rule, in medicine, there are two types of sinusitis: chronic and acute. These states have fundamental differences in the clinical picture. Acute sinusitis is characterized by a prolonged runny nose (for more than a week without improvement in the clinical picture), mucous or purulent discharge from the nose, mucus drainage, copious discharge of pus in the morning, pain associated with inflammation, including headache, toothache. The skin of the face becomes more sensitive, the temperature rises (also a sure sign of inflammation), weakness, decreased concentration and increased fatigue, decreased sense of smell and, of course, swelling. If you notice a combination of several, or even one of the above symptoms, you should contact an ENT specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

At the same time, chronic sinusitis can take several forms and in some cases it is not even accompanied by pronounced symptoms. Most often, patients note the following manifestations: nasal congestion, standard for these diseases, poor discharge from the nose, constant leakage, dryness in the throat, headache. However, during periods of exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease, the patient experiences most of the symptoms characteristic of an acute condition.

Sinusitis can also proceed differently in adults and children: for the second, the clinical picture often looks blurry, mild and comes down to nasal discharge, general weakness and bad breath. For children with this disease, headache is practically not characteristic. Most often, children’s sinusitis occurs as a consequence of infectious diseases.

How to treat sinusitis?

Features of the treatment of sinusitis will depend on its nature. After an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will be able to give specific recommendations. There is no one-size-fits-all cure for sinusitis, but in general, there are some common indications for the four types of disease that will help shape the recovery period ahead.