Sinus infection, suggestions?

[teacher316]

I think I have a sinus infection-lots of pressure and pain over my eyes, congestion, sore throat, etc. I wondered if anyone had any good suggestions to get rid of it? I feel awful:(

[ashleesalterego]

First of all, I feel your pain! I had a sinus infection for 10 days before I finally decided to go to the doctor because nothing was giving me any relief.

My first question for you is, did you have a cold before the infection? Allergies? If it is a viral infection, there isn't much you can do but wait it out. If it's bacterial, antibiotics will nip it. I had to go on a course of antibiotics because mine was bacterial. Most are viral though.

Regardless, you should try (and I know this sounds icky) a neti pot. They work. Use it 2-3x a day, but make sure you follow the directions. It will help clear some of the mucus and give the tiny hairs in your sinuses a chance to bounce back. Make sure you drink a lot of water (this helps thin mucus), take hot showers without the fan, and be careful not to overuse decongestants as they tend to make mucus thicker if used too much.

[kaoskat]

We use Sudafed here. If it's an infection though, you should probably see your doctor.

[kittybethy]

I would recommend stocking up on Vitamin C.  I've had a ton of sinus infections and chronic bronchitis!


 Vitamin C helps, Netti Pots are awesome (when used correctly), also antibiotics (if it is bacterial).

   I have a nebulizer too. That helps!

[HollowZero]

I'm currently suffering a bout of sinus problems myself. For two days it stopped, but came back full force lastnight.

I tried sinus medication, which does relieve the pressure for a few hours, but it comes back. Currently I am doing the extremely low-tech version of the neti pot: snorting warm water from a cup. It works, and I'm not out 20 bucks!

[melodys_angel]

If its pressure it might be related to your ears.  Ive had chronic ear infections all my life and know that when I get pressure that doesnt get relieved its time to go to the doctors <3

[khyron]

I usually take hot showers, but if it's an infection you'll need to see a doctor.

[teacher316]

Found out it is a sinus infection, doc put me on augmentin. He says I should lay low for 48 hours and do nothing. Easier said than done with 2 kids!

[Eviecorn]

Rest!  Rest is really the only cure for a sinus infection.  That and the antibiotics.

[Aflame]

olbasoil  and lemsip usualy works for me but as you have other meds i would leave the lemsip ,when i get a cold it usualy goes on my chest and turns in to a chest infection as i have had bronchintis alot almost turned in to plurasy once ! xaflamex

[Eskara1862]

I had a terrible sinus infection two years ago.  I'm allergic to penicillin, ceclore, and other antibiotics, so I had to go on some really strong medicine that can make your tendons burst. Considering I have tendonitis, I don't need anything that can rupture my already weakened tendons!

My sister sent me an herbal antibiotic that contained goldenseal, Oregon grape root, barberry, and echinacea.  That really helped out! 

The other thing I did was super cheap, super easy, tastes great, and has become a life-habit for me.  I put 1 tablespoon of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of local raw honey in my morning tea (usually green tea).  The apple cider vinegar really clears out sinus fast! Local, raw honey will help with strong taste of the vinegar and it also has lots of good benefits to it. If you keep doing this every day, I promise you your immune system will get so much stronger and you will be sick far less often, if ever.  I'm the kind of person who used to spend winter with a kleenex box attached at the end of one arm and I haven't been sick once since I've started the ACV/honey tea.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon =)  It's never any fun being sick.