Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, are very common. You have four pairs of sinuses which produce mucus. Three pairs are behind, above and between your eyes. You have a fourth pair of sinuses along the sides of your nose. These sinuses are hollow, but if they become blocked and the mucus can’t drain, they fill with fluid, causing sinusitis. A gentle finger tap to the face near an infected sinus is often extremely painful.
The most common symptom of a sinus infection is a sinus headache: pressure and pain behind your cheekbones or around your eyes. Other symptoms include yellow- or green-colored nasal discharge, a foul taste in your mouth, and fever. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting less than a month), subacute (lasting up to three months), or chronic (lasting longer than three months). You can also have recurrent sinus infections, which occur several times a year.
Sinus infections are caused by either viruses or bacteria, but they can be caused by fungi as well. Although sinusitis is a very common condition, some people are at higher risk of developing the infection. They include people who:
Have nasal congestion from a cold or allergy
Have asthma
Have blocked drain ducts
Have abnormalities in the nasal passages, such as nasal polyps or a deformity
Have a weakened immune system
Smoke
It isn’t possible for you to tell at home if sinusitis is caused by a bacteria, virus or fungus, but there are some steps you can take to help relieve sinus infections symptoms. They include:
Moisturizing the room air with a humidifier or vaporizer
Increasing your fluid intake to ensure you are well hydrated
Using saline sprays or nasal irrigations
Using nasal spray decongestants for 2 or 3 days at the most
Applying warm compresses to your face to help relieve pain and pressure
Sleeping with your head elevated. If sleeping on a pile of pillows isn’t comfortable, place blocks under the two legs at the head of your bed to elevate it.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Acute sinusitis often goes away on its own; however, there are times when you should see your doctor for sinus infection treatment if self-care doesn’t work. You should see a doctor if you still have sinusitis symptoms after a week or if they return more than a few times within a year. You should also see a doctor as soon as possible if the infection worsens. Signs of a worsening sinus infection include:
Increase in pain or the pain spreads
Over-the-counter pain medications do not relieve the pain
Increase in nasal discharge
Most often, you would see your primary care physician or family doctor to be assessed for sinus infections. If you have a bacterial infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics, and a fungal infection would be treated with an antifungal medication. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, but your doctor may recommend prescription-strength decongestants to help relieve symptoms until the virus goes away.
If you have chronic or recurrent sinus infections, your primary doctor may refer you to see a specialist, an otolaryngologist, often called an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. An otolaryngologist can determine why you have an infection and recommend treatment. Check with your insurance to see if you need a referral from your doctor before seeing a specialist.
Sinus infections can be quite painful, but they generally go away on their own or with treatment. If you get frequent sinus infections or you have one that is not responding to your home treatments, see your doctor for an evaluation.
