A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, can feel unbearable, as it can cause much pain and discomfort across various areas of the face. In addition to causing a blocked nose and a reduced sense of smell, many people experience swelling, tenderness, or pain across their cheeks, nose, and forehead.
Sinusitis can even cause unexpected symptoms, such as toothache, a headache, and bad breath. As painful as it might be, it is easy to resolve the issue with the right products and tactics. Read the following advice on how to treat a sinus infection.
Try At-Home Treatments
Mild sinusitis can often be treated at home without medical help. Rest, fluids, and painkillers can ease your discomfort until the infection passes. Also, you can alleviate any congestion by cleaning your nose with a saltwater solution. It may even help to use a humidifier, as it will prevent dry air from irritating the lining of your sinuses.
If you continue to struggle with congestion, try a salt water nasal spray to rinse the inside of your nose. A decongestant nasal spray or drops may also help to unblock your nose. They can decrease the build-up of excess mucus while relieving post-nasal drip symptoms, such as coughing or hacking. However, you must seek medical attention if a product hasn’t eased the infection after one week, as you will need to discontinue use.
Consult a Doctor
If a sinus infection is too painful or fails to ease following at-home treatment, you must schedule an appointment with a doctor. If it is a struggle to book a same-day appointment with a local doctor or clinician, consider turning to an online GP service to eliminate a lengthy wait and receive an immediate diagnosis and prescription.
If a doctor feels confident you have sinusitis, they may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines, or a steroid nasal spray the same day to ease your painful symptoms as soon as possible.
If you endure sinusitis for more than three months after taking prescription medication or experience frequent sinusitis, a doctor may send a referral letter to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
Embark on Surgery
It isn’t always possible to treat chronic sinusitis with prescription medications or at-home treatments. If you continue to struggle with the infection, you may need to undergo surgery to resolve the health issue, known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
Once you are under general anesthesia, an ENT surgeon may remove blocked tissue from your nose to widen your sinuses, or they may inflate a tiny balloon into the blocked sinuses before removing it.
Conclusion
A sinus infection can feel more than a little painful, as it can cause many symptoms that can affect your physical and emotional health. If at-home treatments fail to work, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment, which can vary from antibiotics and steroid nasal sprays to surgery. The sooner you talk to a medical professional about the problem, the sooner you may recover from the painful infection.