Home Remedies to Relieve Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinusitis is a condition whereby the lining of the sinuses gets inflamed and swollen, interfering with drainage. As a result, it may be difficult to breathe through your nose due to mucus buildup. You may also have throbbing facial pain or a headache, and the area around your eyes and face may feel swollen. Unless you develop a bacterial infection, most acute Los Angeles sinusitis cases resolve within a week to 10 days.

The following home remedies may be all you need to treat acute sinusitis.  

1. Drink plenty of fluids.

Run a humidifier or vaporizer, and keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Water and other fluids will help flush the virus out of your system. When you drink water, you also thin the mucus and drain your sinuses. Aim for at least eight ounces of water every two hours to lubricate your sinuses and keep your skin hydrated. Besides water, you can also have hot beverages like herbal teas; these can be especially hydrating and offer an extra benefit from the steam.

2. Nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation is an effective process for relieving symptoms of sinusitis, including nasal congestion and irritation. You can use saline solution to gently flush out your nasal passages with special squeeze bottles, bulb syringes, or a neti pot. A neti pot is a container that looks like an Aladdin’s lamp; it is designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. It often comes with a saline mixture, but you can also make it at home.

Each neti pot comes with specific instructions; follow the directions supplied for your container. Generally, you will fill the pot with saline solution and incline your head over the sink at a 45-degree angle. Insert the neti pot’s spout in your top nostril and carefully pour the solution inside. Do the same with the other nostril. It is important to sanitize your pot after each use to avoid re-infection. If you make your saline solution at home, only use distilled water. Avoid water from the sink since it may have contaminants like bacteria which can worsen your condition.

3. Steam

Steam helps relieve nasal congestion by thinning or loosening mucus. Add oils such as camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus to a bowl of hot water. Bend over the bow and place a towel over your head until the steam dissipates. You can also take regular hot showers and breathe in the moisture.

4. Warm and cold compresses

Alternating between warm and cold compresses can help ease facial pain associated with sinusitis. To do this, lay back with a warm, damp towel across your nose, cheeks, eyes, and forehead for three minutes. Once the time has elapsed, remove the warm towel and replace it with a cold compress for 30 seconds; repeat it twice or thrice. You can repeat the entire process two to six times a day.

If your symptoms persist despite using home remedies, ask your pharmacist to recommend an over-the-counter treatment.

For further questions about sinusitis, consult your healthcare provider at Mani H. Zadeh.