How do you flush out a sinus infection?

But there are some things you can do to try to speed up the recovery process. Drink plenty of water. ... Eat foods with antibacterial properties. ... Add moisture. ... Clear the sinuses with oils. ... Use a neti pot. ... Ease facial pain with warm compresses. ... Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications. ... Get a prescription. More items...

healthline.com - How to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection: Home Remedies and Medication

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. How long does a sinus infection last? A sinus infection has similar symptoms to a common cold. The big difference between the two is how long those symptoms linger. Sinusitis symptoms typically last no longer than 10 days. Chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or longer. Sinus infections almost always get better on their own. Antibiotics won’t help a sinus infection caused by a virus or an airborne irritation, like secondhand smoke. But there are some things you can do to try to speed up the recovery process. 1. Drink plenty of water To help flush the virus out of your system, make sure you’re adequately hydrated. Aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water every 2 hours. 3. Add moisture Keeping your sinuses hydrated can help relieve pressure. Here are some tips to for hydrated sinuses: At night, sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom to help relieve nighttime nasal blockages. During the day and before bed, use natural saline nasal sprays. These can be purchased from your local drugstore and used several times a day to help break up congestion. Avoid sprays that contain Oxymetazoline because you can become dependent on this spray. Expose your sinuses to steam. Take regular hot showers and breathe in the damp air. You can also fill a bowl with boiling water and lean over it for 10 minutes. Cover both your head and the bowl with a thick towel. Keep your nose 10 inches above the water. Shop for a humidifier and saline nasal spray. 4. Clear the sinuses with oils Eucalyptus oil can help open up the sinuses and get rid of mucus. One study has found that the main ingredient in eucalyptus oil, cineole, helped people with acute sinusitis recover faster. To alleviate sinus or upper respiratory infections, use eucalyptus oil externally on the temples or chest, or inhaled via a diffuser when the oil is added to boiling water. Make sure you only use food-grade essential oils. Rub one drop of each oil on the roof of your mouth, then drink a glass of water. Shop for eucalyptus oil. 5. Use a neti pot Nasal irrigation is a process often used to ease the symptoms of sinusitis. According to recent research, using a neti pot with a saline solution can get rid of some symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Follow the directions supplied with your specific neti pot. Here are general directions: Fill the pot with the saline solution. Incline your head over the sink at a 45-degree angle. Insert the spout of the pot into your top nostril. Carefully pour the saline solution down that nostril. Repeat the process with the other nostril. Be careful to sanitize your neti pot after every use. Only used distilled water. Water straight from the sink may have contaminants, like bacteria or parasites, which could make your condition worse. Shop for a neti pot.

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6. Ease facial pain with warm compresses Applying moist, warm heat may help soothe sinus pain. Place warm, damp towels around your nose, cheeks, and eyes to ease facial pain. This will also help clear the nasal passages from the outside. 7. Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications If you’re not finding relief from home remedies, ask your pharmacist to recommend an OTC treatment. OTC decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), may relieve sinusitis symptoms by narrowing the blood vessels. This helps reduce inflammation and swelling. It may improve the flow of drainage from the sinuses. Shop for Sudafed. If you have high blood pressure, consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking pseudoephedrine. There’s a line of cold and sinus medications specifically for people with high blood pressure called Coricidin HBP. Shop for Coricidin HBP. Pain caused by a buildup of pressure in the nasal passages may be eased by using one of the following: aspirin

acetaminophen (Tylenol)

ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) If the nasal congestion is caused by an allergic reaction, antihistamines may help block inflammation. Always follow your pharmacist’s advice and the guidelines on the package when taking OTC medications. 8. Get a prescription Your doctor is unlikely to prescribe antibiotics unless you have chronic sinusitis or if your sinus infection is bacterial. Your allergist or primary care provider will determine whether your sinus infection is caused by bacteria or a virus. They’ll do this by: asking about your symptoms

carrying out a physical examination

swabbing the inside of your nose (not routinely done) Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a commonly prescribed drug for acute sinus infections. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is often prescribed for a bacterial sinus infection. Depending on the type of antibiotic, they may be taken from 3 to 28 days. It’s important to take antibiotics for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Don’t stop taking them early, even if your symptoms improve. 9. Take it easy It takes time to get over sinusitis. Get plenty of rest to help your body fight the infection.

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Seeking help for a sinus infection Consult your doctor if you or your child has: a temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C)

symptoms that have lasted for more than 10 days

symptoms that are getting worse

symptoms that aren’t eased by OTC medication

several sinus infections over the past year If you have a sinus infection for eight weeks or more, or have more than four sinus infections per year, you may have chronic sinusitis. Common causes of chronic sinusitis are: allergies

nasal growths

respiratory tract infections

What causes a sinus infection? A sinus infection occurs when the tissue in the sinuses swells up. This leads to a buildup of mucus, pain, and discomfort. The sinuses are the air-filled pockets in the bones of the face that form the top part of the respiratory tract. These pockets run from the nose into the throat. A sinus infection may be caused by anything that stops the sinuses from draining, such as: the common cold

hay fever

exposure to allergens

nonallergic rhinitis

changes in air pressure Viruses cause 9 out of 10 sinus infections in adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . To reduce your risk for sinus infection: Wash your hands often, especially after you’ve been in crowded places, like public transportation.

Keep up to date with recommended immunizations.

Limit exposure to people with colds or other upper respiratory infections, if possible.

Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke

Use a clean humidifier to keep air moist in your home.

Get plenty of rest if you have a cold to reduce your risk for complications, like sinusitis. What are the symptoms of a sinus infection? Common symptoms of sinusitis include: nasal congestion