Ages and Stages. Healthy Living. Safety and Prevention. Family Life. Health Issues. Tips and Tools. Our Mission. Find a Pediatrician. Text Size. The Difference Between Sinusitis and a Cold. Recent studies have shown the usefulness of nasal irrigation in both acute and chronic sinusitis, as well as allergic rhinitis and seasonal allergies.
If using tap water, it is recommended that you boil the water and allow it to cool, or use a water filtration system. Other options include buying distilled water or using over-the-counter premixed solutions. This saline and baking soda mixture can help clear your sinuses of discharge, relieve dryness, and flush allergens. The product GeloMytrol , which is an oral capsule of essential oils , and Sinupret , an oral mixture of elderflower, cowslip, sorrel, verbena, and gentian root, have shown in multiple studies including two from and to be effective in treating both acute and chronic sinusitis.
It is not recommended to mix these herbs yourself. Using too little or too much of each herb can have unintended side effects, such as allergic reactions or diarrhea.
Talk to your doctor before attempting to take antibiotics for sinusitis. Side effects , such as a rash , diarrhea, or stomach issues, can result from taking antibiotics for sinusitis. Avoiding things that irritate your nose and sinuses can help decrease sinusitis.
Cigarette smoke can make you especially prone to sinusitis. Smoking damages the natural protective elements of your nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system. Ask your doctor if you need help quitting or if interested in quitting.
It can be an important step in preventing episodes of both acute and chronic sinusitis. Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu season, to keep your sinuses from becoming irritated or infected by viruses or bacteria on your hands. Talk to your doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. You may need to seek an allergy specialist for allergic immunotherapy shots or similar treatments. Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis.
Nasal sprays, saline sprays, and pain relief are all effective treatments for acute sinusitis. Most children will fully recover from a sinus infection without antibiotics. Antibiotics are used for severe cases of sinusitis or in children who have other complications because of sinusitis.
An ENT specialist can take a culture of nose drainage to better understand the cause of an infection. The ENT specialist can also examine the sinuses more closely and look for any problem in the structure of the nasal passages that could lead to chronic sinus problems. Acute sinusitis usually goes away within one to two weeks with proper care and medication.
Chronic sinusitis is more severe and may require seeing a specialist or having long-term treatment to address the cause of the constant infections.
Chronic sinusitis can last for three or more months. Good hygiene, keeping your sinuses moist and clear, and treating symptoms immediately can help shorten the course of the infection. Many treatments and procedures exist for both acute and chronic cases.
Even if you experience multiple acute episodes or chronic sinusitis, seeing a doctor or specialist can greatly improve your outlook after these infections. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies. Steam inhalers are used as personal saunas for skin care or supporting respiratory health. Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that worsens when bending over.
Other signs and symptoms can include:. Most people with acute sinusitis don't need to see a doctor. Contact your doctor if you have any of the following:. Symptoms that either don't improve within days or worsen. You may be at increased risk of getting sinusitis if you have:. Hay fever or another allergic condition that affects your sinuses.
A nasal passage abnormality, such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or tumors. Acute sinusitis complications are uncommon. If they occur, they might include:. Chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis may be a flare-up of a long-term problem known as chronic sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis lasts longer than 12 weeks. This infection causes inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. This is rare. Other infections. Uncommonly, infection can spread to the bones osteomyelitis or skin cellulitis. This is also a rare complication. Partial or complete loss of sense of smell. Nasal obstruction and inflammation of the nerve for smell olfactory nerve can cause temporary or permanent loss of smell. Vision problems. However, if your symptoms or the inflammation do not respond to medical therapy, surgery may be necessary.
The goal of treatment is to restore sinus health and function. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis often resemble a cold. A cold is usually caused by a viral infection and is often accompanied by a runny or stuffed-up nose, sneezing, sore throat, watery eyes and a fever. This kind of acute viral sinusitis usually lasts seven to 10 days. In rare instances, you may get a bacterial infection as a result of a cold, resulting in acute bacterial sinusitis.
If that happens, cold symptoms get worse after seven to 10 days. You also may have yellow or green nasal drainage, pain in your face or teeth, and a fever. Acute sinusitis lasts up to four weeks. When symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks, you may have chronic sinusitis.
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