Don’t worry if discharge drains down the back of your throat. The acid in your stomach will kill off anything that may be causing the infection.
You can do this every two hours or as often as your schedule permits. Keep your face at least 12 inches away from the water. You want the heat to enter your nose and throat, but don’t burn yourself.
Spearmint or peppermint: Peppermint or spearmint may be irritating to some. Both peppermint and spearmint contain menthol which has antiseptic and immune-boosting properties. [2] X Research source Kamatou GP, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM, Lawrence BM. , Menthol: a simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. Phytochemistry. 2013 Dec;96:15-25. Thyme or oregano: These herbs boost the immune system and have antibacterial properties. Both increase circulation of the blood by opening up blood vessels. [3] X Research source Fournomiti M, Kimbaris A, Mantzourani I, Plessas S, Theodoridou I, Papaemmanouil V, Kapsiotis I, Panopoulou M, Stavropoulou E, Bezirtzoglou EE, Alexopoulos A. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of cultivated oregano (Origanum vulgare), sage (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microb Ecol Health Dis. 2015 Apr 15;26:23289. Lavender: This dried plant and oil is soothing and can help with anxiety and depression. It also has antibacterial properties. [4] X Research source Sienkiewicz M, Głowacka A, Kowalczyk E, Wiktorowska-Owczarek A, Jóźwiak-Bębenista M, Łysakowska M. The biological activities of cinnamon, geranium and lavender essential oils. Molecules. 2014 Dec 12;19(12):20929-40. Black walnut oil, tea tree oil, oregano oil, and sage oil: These can treat a fungal sinus infection and they have antiseptic properties. [5] X Research source Rathi,P. Ahmad, M. , Tomar,A. Study on Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of WALNUT (Juglans nigra) OIL. Int. J. Curr. Res. Chem. Pharma. Sci. 1(7):51-55. 2014.
Like any of the steam treatments, the water can be reused. Simply reheat it till it begins to steam.
You should get lots of rest if you experience chronic sinusitis. Soaking in a bath is a great way to relax.
Clean portable humidifier units daily, wiping all surfaces dry and filling the water tank with fresh water. If you do not keep your humidifier clean, mold and bacteria can begin to grow and they will be dispersed into the air and breathed in when the humidifier is running. [7] X Research source Don’t let the humidity in your house reach above 50%. [8] X Research source Run the humidifier or vaporizer only when necessary. To get the same effect you can also run a hot shower with the bathroom door closed and breathe in the steam.
Eucalyptus Menthol Lavender Sweet basil Oregano Rosemary Peppermint Tea tree Rose geranium Pine Clove Lemon Chamomile
If you’d like to use more than one kind of essential oil, just be sure to use an equal number of drops so that the total number of drops equals nine or 10. Sea salt protects your nasal tissues. Never use tap water or water that hasn’t been filtered, distilled, or sterilized by boiling for at least one minute. [9] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Repeat this process with the other nostril and use the rest of the solution. Blow your nose when you’re finished to get the remaining fluid out of your nose.
Irrigating your sinuses using a Neti pot is more effective in treating sinusitis than a nasal spray, but it can be intimidating at first. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source You may want to begin with a spray and gradually move to the Neti pot. Nasal saline sprays have the benefit of being ultra portable. Throw one in your purse or bag or keep one at work.
Most diffusers suggest using 1/2 cup of water with three to five drops of essential oils.
The oil helps to lessen the friction caused by your fingertips rubbing against your face. Scented oils can be soothing and relaxing as well. Massaging the sinuses and the tissues surrounding the sinuses can help relieve pressure and help drain mucus-filled sinuses.
For some, using the index finger may be more comfortable. Using the thumbs is recommended because they tend to be somewhat stronger than other fingers.
You can also start by massaging the outer part of your cheekbone, near your ears. Massage in a circular motion and move your fingers along the cheekbone towards your nose. Repeat this 10 times. If you are using an oil, make sure you don’t get oil into your eyes. Oil can temporarily blur your vision if it gets in your eyes.
Massaging your nose in a downward motion can promote drainage. You can add essential oils based on what you need. For example, antibacterial essential oils can be used if you have a bacterial sinus infection while essential oils that help loosen and break up the mucus in the sinuses can relieve the pressure by increasing drainage.
Your doctor may recommend a CT scan to evaluate the cause of chronic sinusitis. Figuring the cause of your sinusitis can help you choose the correct treatments. For example, sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection may need prescription antibiotics. If your doctor suspects your sinusitis is due to allergies, she may recommend you get tested so that you can better avoid the allergens which trigger your symptoms. In addition, you can then talk to your doctor about using prescription or over-the-counter allergy medications to control symptoms.
Swollen sinuses (from inflammation or infection) Pain Pressure in the face Headaches Loss of smell Cough Congestion Sore throat (if the mucus drains into the throat) Fever Bad breath Dental pain Fatigue
Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Insomnia Anxiety Nervousness and irritability Dry mouth Blurry vision Difficulty urinating
It can take a few days to a few weeks for nasal corticosteroids to work. Side effects may include headache, sore throat, nosebleed, or cough.
Steam treatments, massage, Neti pots, and diffusers can all be used along with pain relievers, antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal treatments for infections of the sinuses.
One problem with antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals is that they don’t get into the sinuses very well so they may not be very effective. A longer course of treatment may be helpful.
Surgery can correct any anatomic or structural problems inside your nose and sinuses.
