On each side of your head are four spaces filled with air called sinuses. They function to make our skulls lighter and affect the sound of our voices. But their chief function is to produce a mucus material that keeps the inside of your nose moist. This moist layer of mucus protects your nose from irritants such as dust and bacteria.
When these sinuses are filled with air, you don’t give them a thought. But the moment they become clogged with mucus, you are very aware of their presence and their importance in normal breathing. You also start to think about whether you have a cold or the beginning of a sinus infection.
Here are some answers to questions you might have about sinus infections:
What are the signs and symptoms of a sinus infection?
Because sinus infections are so common, we often claim to have one as soon as we have a runny nose or a feeling of pressure in the forehead or behind our eyes. In fact, we might have a cold or even allergies that mimic a sinus infection. A cold can vary in the symptoms it causes and how badly it can make you feel. But typically, it will get better within 10-14 days. A lingering cold does not technically cause a sinus infection. But as the cold lingers, a sinus infection is more likely to develop.
Allergies also cause inflammation of the lining in your nose due to irritants such as pollen and dust. The symptoms that develop can be very similar to those of the common cold and a sinus infection.
A sinus infection should be suspected if your symptoms don’t resolve within a couple of weeks. The cause can be either a viral or bacterial infection of the lining of the sinus cavities. Here are the most common symptoms:
- A pressure feeling around the eyes and behind the cheeks
- A headache that continues to worsen instead of improving
- A fever
- A runny nose with stuffiness that doesn’t go away within 7-10 days
- A persistent cough
- A bad taste in your mouth
- A yellow or green drainage from your nose or into your throat
- A tired feeling that isn’t improving
When should I see a medical provider?
It may be necessary to visit your primary care provider or go to an urgent care immediately if you experience:
- Sudden and severe pain in the sinus or nasal area
- Sudden worsening of your cold symptoms such as pain, headache, or fever
- Blurred or double vision
- Swelling of the area around your eyes
- Severe pain when tilting your head forward
Can I treat a sinus infection at home?
If you have a true sinus infection, you will eventually need to visit a medical professional. But in the early stages you can help ease your symptoms with one or more of these treatments:
- Irrigation. Gently flushing your nasal passages can help relieve congestion and irritation. It is best to use saline solutions from a pharmacy for flushing through each nostril. If you make your own solution, use filtered, sterile, or distilled water.
- Hydrate. Drinking plenty of water helps loosen mucus and relieve nasal congestion. Proper hydration is also important in helping your body’s immune system function optimally for a quicker recovery.
- Steam. Breathing in steam can help open your nasal passages and ease your pain. This can be accomplished over a bowl of warm water or in a hot shower.
- Rest. Getting adequate rest is vital at all times, especially when your body is fighting a bad cold or infection. You may find that keeping your head elevated will help you breathe better and rest more comfortably.
Remember that at-home treatments should be discontinued if symptoms aren’t improving. A timely visit to the urgent care can help speed recovery and get you feeling better quickly.
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If you’re wondering where the best place is to get care, please see our guide below:
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