Whether you struggle with chronic sinusitis or acute sinusitis, the pressure and pain you feel in your face may convince you to use medications. The problem is that most sinus infections are viral so that antibiotics won’t help.
Likewise, even those caused by bacterial infections don’t typically improve faster even if you’re on antibiotics. Fortunately, if you can’t get yourself to your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor in Denver, the following home treatments can help soothe your inflamed passageways and clear your sinuses.
Irrigate your clogged sinuses.
Basically, nasal irrigation involves using saltwater or saline solution to flush out plugged mucus and germs your sinus passages. This is also known as nasal wash, lavage, or nasal douche. You can also use a neti pot for nasal irrigation.
Break down nasal blockages with steam.
Among the most effective and easiest home treatments for blocked sinuses is to heat your passageways and moisturize them. To do this, you need to inhale steam to soothe and clear your sinuses. The easiest way to do this is to sit inside your bathroom for a few minutes with the hot shower turned on.
You can likewise drape a warm washcloth over your face while relaxing in your bed. The most effective steaming option, however, involves pouring hot water in a bowl and covering yourself in a towel as you bend over the bowl and inhale all the steamy goodness.
Make sure to close your eyes and don’t put your face too close to the bowl to avoid burns. Move closer to the bowl as the water cools down. Simply reheat the water if you need more steam.
You could also consider adding a drop of essential oil such as eucalyptus oil for clearing your sinuses and chamomile or lavender oil to soothe your sinuses.
Consume lots of liquids to clear congestion.
Making sure that you’re well hydrated will help keep your sinuses clear and most and reduce the thick consistency of mucus so you can breathe more freely. Experts recommend that you should drink eight glasses of water daily, more if you have sinusitis or dehydrated.
Refrain from drinking alcoholic or caffeinated beverages that could make you more dehydrated. In addition, studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich ingredients in chicken soup combined with the steam really do help clear sinus blockages by reducing inflammation.
Consider taking Quercetin supplements.
Quercetin is basically a plant component that’s found in green tea, onions, red wine, and apple. It is known to be a very powerful antioxidant. It’s also capable of stabilizing cells that promote the production of histamine in the body. Essentially, it can act as a natural anti-histamine.
If you find that your symptoms are still not letting up after trying these home treatments for a week, consult your ENT doctor. If you have a high fever, inflamed, and red skin, swollen eyes, and a headache, you may have a more serious case of sinus infection that will require antibiotics or other medications.
