Published on: 15th March 2024
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Ahmad Haitham Jamee
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Ahmad Haitham Jamee
Sometimes you may feel pressure on your face and think it’s because of a cold or allergies. But along with that, if you feel a heaviness on your forehead and between your eyes, it may be due to a condition called sinusitis. Sinusitis is a common sinus problem. It is when the air-filled spaces in the head (sinuses) become filled with fluid. When you have Sinusitis, you can feel confused and wonder ‘when should I see a doctor for a sinus infection.’ Here are some pointers that will help you understand what causes this condition and how you can use natural remedies for sinus infection.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Main Sinus Infection Causes?
- What Are the Common Sinus Infection Symptoms?
- What Are Some Effective Home Remedies for Treating Sinus Infections?
- When is It Necessary to Seek Medical Attention for Sinus Infection?
- Sinus Infection Treatment at Home From First Response Healthcare
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are the Main Sinus Infection Causes?
When the air-filled spaces in the head (sinuses) become clogged with fluid, the tissue lining swells, causing sinus problems or sinusitis. Swelling can be because of bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Certain conditions that cause this to occur are as follows:
- When you have a weak immune system because of drugs or illness.
- Allergies, especially seasonal allergies, including those caused by mold, a type of fungus.
- A growth of tissue in the nose, that is known as a nasal polyp.
- The protruding ridge of the nose, known as the nasal septum, can move more to one side and cause an obstruction. This is called the septal wall.
- Smokers are prone to sinusitis.
What Are the Common Sinus Infection Symptoms?
You may have a hard time distinguishing sinus problems from colds and allergies. This is because sinus symptoms are extremely similar to cold and allergy symptoms. Sinus symptoms could start from a simple headache and end up worsening really fast. If you’re currently experiencing any sinus symptoms which are causing any breathing-related problems it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
There also exist certain sinus symptoms which may not necessarily be considered life-threatening but can be quite annoying. These include sinus infection symptoms like sore throat, cough, and blocked nose. Try to take care of your sinus infection symptoms before they end up disturbing your daily routine. Here are some of the common sinus infection symptoms:
- Noticing a green or dark yellow discharge from your nose
- Headache, tooth, or ear pain
- Pressure on the face, especially around the eyes, forehead, and nose
- cough
- fever
- bad breath (halitosis)
- Mucus in the throat
What Are Some Effective Home Remedies for Treating Sinus Infections?
There are several home remedies for sinus infections that one can try. Following are some natural home remedies for a sinus infection that can help you feel better.:
1. Pineapple
Pineapple is one of the ingrediants that helps in sinusitis treatment at home and has many benefits that can help with sinusitis. Results from clinical studies show that pineapple can help reduce inflammation of the nasal mucosa, ease breathing difficulties, and relieve nasal discomfort. All of these properties help treat the sinus infection symptoms, and thus make pineapple a great natural remedy for sinusitis treatment at home. You can consume pineapple simply as a fruit or you can have it as a fruit juice.
2. Ginger
Ginger, another homemade remedy for sinusitis treatment, acts as an antioxidant and also has properties that help reduce inflammation, thus, making it a very beneficial homemade remedy for sinus. Ginger, along with green tea, is also very beneficial for allergies. You can have ginger by adding it to your tea and it could work as one of the effective home remedies for sinus infection.
3. Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is another homemade remedy for sinus infection treatment at home. It is a type of honey made from the flowers of the leptospermum (tea tree) species. These tea tree flowers are originally from Australia and New Zealand. Manuka honey can help fight against bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, thus making it suitable for sinus treatment at home. You can have manuka honey by dissolving it in warm water and or taking it with tea as a sinus infection treatment at home.
4. Cineol
Cineol is a common derivative of eucalyptus oil and can be used as a sinus infection treatment at home. It is found in many plant essential oils and has various therapeutic effects. It stops inflammation, increases clearance of the nasal mucosa, and reduces pain. In addition, it can also help relieve the sinus infection causes. Cineole, which is found in many oils, can be applied to the forehead, nose, and ears. If you wish, you can also add a few drops of it to warm water and consume it.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is widely used as a homemade remedy for sinus, especially in India and China, for its medicinal properties. It has a variety of biochemical components that can help reduce inflammation and can act as an antioxidant, thus making it a useful homemade remedy for sinus treatment at home. Turmeric powder can also help reduce the triggering of allergies that can cause sinusitis. You can consume turmeric by adding its powder in warm milk.
6. Nasal Drops
Plain salt water or saline can help reduce thick secretions in your nose and sinuses and help remove irritating particles and bacteria during sinus infections. It helps keep the sinus mucus moving. It also helps flush out allergens and bacteria before they cause inflammation. Thus, nasal drops are one of the many Sinus home remedies that can help with the sinusitis treatment at home.
7. Steam Inhalation
Inhaling steam helps with sinusitis treatment because it helps clear the nasal passages. Steam inhalation is a simple sinusitis treatment at home that requires you to just boil water and inhale the steam. For more benefits, you can add ingredients such as lemon leaves, or herbs such as holy basil in boiling water. Sleeping with a humidifier at night in your bedroom can also help relieve nighttime nasal blockages and can be one of the home remedies for sinus infections.
8. Use Oils
Eucalyptus oil and other oils can be some great Sinus home remedies as they help open the sinuses and clear mucus. One study found that eucalyptus oil helped in speed recovery in patients with acute sinusitis. To relieve sinus or upper respiratory tract infections, apply oils topically on your temples or chest, or add the oil to boiling water and inhale through a diffuser.
9. Relieve Facial Pain With Warm Compresses
Using moist, warm heat through compresses can help with relieving sinus pain. You can place a warm, damp towel around your nose, cheeks, eyes and can use the same to soothe your face and relieve the pain. This can also help in cleansing your nasal passages from the outside.
10. Drink Lots of Water
Stay well hydrated to flush the infection out of your system thus staying away from sinus infection causes. You should ideally aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water every 2 hours.
When is It Necessary to Seek Medical Attention for Sinus Infection?
In general, self-care seems to help with sinus infection causes. Home remedies for sinus infections have been used for decades and why shouldn’t they? With effective and cost-saving benefits the trend to use home remedies for sinus infections is here to stay for a long time. However, if you notice that your sinus infection is getting worse or if it persists, you should seek professional medical advice. Although rare, if left untreated, sinusitis can also lead to infection of the eyes, brain, surrounding bones, and layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). When you see a doctor, he or she may prescribe medication or ask you to undergo certain tests for further investigation.
Sinus Infection Treatment at Home From First Response Healthcare
It is easy to achieve Wellness at Home, however it is not always the solution. If the home remedies for sinus do not help you recover and if your symptoms continue to prolong, it is important to see a doctor. Instead of wondering ‘when should I see a doctor for a sinus infection treatment,’ you can simply call a doctor or have a doctor visit you at your home through First Response Healthcare (FRH) and get a checkup done.
First Response Healthcare is a JCI-accredited home healthcare company that offers a home visit doctor service where a doctor can visit your home, hotel, or office to diagnose and treat you. FRH has received the Gold Seal of Approval from Joint Commission International for its quality service. Our medical team is available 24 hours a day and you can book an appointment anytime, including weekends and holidays.
Our team of doctors is DHA qualified, experienced, and internationally trained, and can provide appropriate medications and guidance to treat sinus infections and other health problems. They can also treat other ailments, including colds, flu, migraines, and chronic illnesses. Our doctors come from a variety of backgrounds and can speak in English, Arabic and Turkish, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, and Russian. Once our doctor visits you at home, they will propose a treatment plan for your sinus infection. We also provide services for lab tests at home and can arrange the same if required. Along with this, we can also deliver doctor-prescribed medications directly to your doorstep through our pharmacy delivery partners.
How Can I Book Home Health Care Services In Dubai? You can call 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC to make an appointment. You can also make an appointment by visiting: Website.
When Can You Make An Appointment With Us? We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays. You can book an appointment with us based on your availability and schedule.
Where Do We Serve? We cover the entire Emirate of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Qatar. Our doctors can come to your home, hotel, or office.
What Are Other Medical Care Services You Can Benefit From? We also offer laboratory testing services right at your doorstep. We partner with accredited laboratories to collect test samples from your home or hotel at a time convenient for you. We can also deliver medicines at your doorstep and can also provide services of licensed nurses and physiotherapists.
To hire services of a doctor at home for sinus infection treatment or any other ailment, you can call on 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC. You can also book an appointment online by visiting Website.
According to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, Sinusitis is responsible for 1 in 5 antibiotic prescriptions for adults, making it the fifth most common reason for such prescriptions. Around 6% to 7% of children with respiratory symptoms and 16% of adults are diagnosed with acute bacterial sinusitis (ABRS) each year, though this number may be overestimated. Approximately 0.5% to 2% of viral rhinosinusitis cases in adults and 5% to 10% in children can develop into bacterial infections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How to Clear Blocked Sinuses Naturally?
Drinking plenty of water, inhaling steam, and using a humidifier can all help to clear blocked sinuses and relieve congestion.
Q. How to Kick a Sinus Infection Fast?
Stay hydrated, utilize saline nasal sprays, and apply warm compresses to your face to help with sinus infection healing.
Q. What Foods Help Clear Sinuses?
Spicy foods, garlic, and ginger are excellent for clearing sinuses because they help thin mucus and reduce congestion.
Q. Which side to sleep with a blocked nose?
Sleep on your side with your head up to empty the sinuses and relieve congestion.
Q. Is Egg Good for Sinus?
Eggs are neutral for sinuses; they do not immediately improve or worsen symptoms, thus they are a safe choice for sinus problems.