Sinusitis in adults - aftercare
Sinus infection - self-care; Rhinosinusitis - self-care
The sinuses are surrounded by bone and cartilage and lined with a mucous membrane. Sinusitis occurs when the membranes becomes inflammed and painful, which may be a result of a blocked sinus opening. Chronic sinusitis is often caused by inflammation and blockage due to physical obstruction such as a deviated septum, misformed bone or cartilage structures such as the nasal conchae (turbinates), or blockage by nasal cysts or polyps.
Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinus cavities, which are moist, hollow spaces in the bones of the skull. There are four pairs of sinuses. They are the frontal sinuses, maxillary sinuses, ethmoid sinuses, and sphenoid sinuses (not shown in illustration). If the opening from a sinus cavity becomes plugged, the flow of mucus is blocked and pressure builds up, causing pain and inflammation.
What to Expect
Many cases of sinusitis clear up on their own. Most of the time, you do not need antibiotics if your sinusitis lasts for less than 2 weeks. Even when you do use antibiotics, they may only slightly reduce the time you are sick.
Your health care provider is more likely to prescribe antibiotics if your sinusitis lasts longer than 2 weeks or recurs often.
Your provider may also refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an allergy specialist.
Symptom Relief
Keeping mucus thin will help it drain from your sinuses and relieve your symptoms. Drinking plenty of clear fluids is one way to do this. You can also:
- Apply a warm, moist washcloth to your face several times a day.
- Inhale steam 2 to 4 times a day. One way to do this is to sit in the bathroom with the shower running. Do not inhale hot steam.
- Spray with nasal saline several times per day.
Use a humidifier to keep the air in your room moist.
You can buy decongestant nasal sprays that relieve stuffiness or congestion without a prescription. They may help at first, but using them for more than 3 to 5 days can cause your symptoms to get worse.
To further relieve your symptoms, try to avoid the following:
- Flying when you are congested
- Very hot or very cold temperatures or sudden changes in temperature
- Bending forward with your head down
Allergies and Sinusitis
Allergies that are not well-controlled can make sinus infections harder to treat.
Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays are 2 types of medicine that work well for allergy symptoms.
You can do many things to limit your exposure to triggers, things that make your allergies worse.
- Reduce dust and dust mites in the home.
- Control molds, indoors and out.
- Avoid exposure to plant pollens and animals that trigger your symptoms.
Taking Antibiotics
Do not self-treat by taking leftover antibiotics you may have at home. If your provider prescribes antibiotics for your sinus infection, follow these general rules for taking them:
- Take all of the pills as prescribed, even if you feel better before you finish them.
- Always dispose of any unused antibiotic pills you may have at home.
Watch for common side effects of antibiotics, including:
- Skin rashes
- Diarrhea
- For women, yeast infection of the vagina (vaginitis)
Stay Healthy to Avoid Sinus Infections
Reduce stress and get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to get sick.
Other things you can do to prevent infections:
- Stop smoking
- Avoid secondhand smoke
- Get a flu shot every year
- Wash your hands often, such as after shaking other people's hands
- Treat your allergies
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your provider if:
- Your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days.
- You have a severe headache that does not get better when you use pain medicine.
- You have a fever.
- You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly.
- You have any changes in your vision.
- You notice small growths in your nose.
References
DeMuri GP, Wald ER. Sinusitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 62.
Murr AH, Pletcher SD. Approach to the patient with nose, sinus, and ear disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 394.
Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. PMID: 25832968
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 4/18/2024
Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
