A sinus infections, or sinusitis, might be caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections, and individuals with asthma or allergies are more susceptible to infection than others. Common symptoms of a sinus infection include sinus pressure, headaches, nasal pain, congestion, nasal discharge, cough and fever. Treatments for sinus infections usually involve medications and home remedies to both relieve symptoms and treat the underlying cause.

Home Tips

Dry air can worsen sinus-infection symptoms. Keep the air in your home from becoming too dry by using a humidifier. This is particularly helpful during dry, cold winter months. Additionally, holding your head over a large bowl of hot water with a towel over your head to direct steam into the nasal passages provides instant relief from sinus infection. Something as simple as a hot shower can help relieve sinus pain and congestion.

Over-The-Counter Medications

Antihistamines and decongestants are available over-the-counter and offer relief for sinus congestion by reducing swelling in the nasal passages and promoting drainage. If the sinus infection is due to a bacterial or fungus infection, these medications will not cure the problem, but they will offer relief of common symptoms of sinus infection.

Prescription Medications

Speak with your doctor to determine the cause of the infection. An antibiotic or antifungal medication might be prescribed for bacterial of fungal infections. Additionally, individuals with sinus infections caused by viruses or allergies might benefit from prescription-strength decongestants or corticosteroids for symptom relief.

Considerations

Ask your physician about nasal sprays and saline rinses. Nasal sprays containing simple saline solutions or corticosteroids might be prescribed to reduce inflammation and relieve sinus pressure. Your doctor might also recommend a saline rinse at home to relieve symptoms and flush out irritants. A saline rinse recipe from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology includes 1 tsp. of baking soda, 3 tsp. of canning salt and 1 cup of warm water. Speak with a physician about how to use a saline rinse and proper dosage.

Warnings

See your doctor or dentist if a sinus infection results in tooth and/or jaw pain for this might indicate dental problems. Additionally, the long-term use of nasal rinses and sprays is not recommended, and they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. A November 2009 report from the National Institutes of Health suggests that long-term nasal irrigation via saline rinses might inhibit natural immunities resulting in increased risks for sinus infections.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Sinus Infection Home Remedies

American Academy of Physicians: Sinusitis Facts

American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology

Resource:

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Saline Rinse Recipe

National Institutes of Health: November 2009 Study on Saline Rinses

Alan Carr, D.M.D: Toothaches and Sinus Problems