How to Solve Your Sinus Problems

Sinus problems can range from a seasonal annoyance to a painful problem that affects your daily routine. From home remedies to prescription medicines, there are numerous techniques you can try to alleviate your sinus issues. Don't suffer from sinus pain and pressure needlessly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Natural Remedies

Warm saline water rinsed through your sinus cavity is known as “nasal irrigation” and can help dissolve mucus and ease nasal congestion.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} Be sure to use clean saline water each time you Use a Neti Pot, and disinfect it thoroughly after each use.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
2
Try grapefruit seed extract supplements. If you think your sinus problems might be the result of a sinus infection, then you might benefit from taking grapefruit seed extract supplements. There is no scientific evidence that this method works, but some believe grapefruit seed extract has powerful antibiotic properties, and its high vitamin C content may help fight infection.
- Sinus infections need to be diagnosed by a doctor. Classic symptoms include a thick/white discharge, nasal congestion, tooth discomfort, and facial pain or pressure that is made worse when the person leans forward or someone taps on his sinuses.
- Be aware that both viruses and bacteria can cause sinusitis. Bacterial infections need to be treated with antibiotics and viruses do not respond to treatment. There is no good way to differentiate between the two, so try waiting a few days to see if the infection improves on its own or with home remedies. If not, see a doctor for treatment.
As anyone who eats spicy foods knows, enough spice can cause a runny nose. If you’re experiencing congestion, try eating spicy foods to loosen and thin out the mucus in your sinuses. Cayenne pepper and horseradish are good options.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
4
Use an air humidifier. Dry air causes nosebleeds and sinus pain and pressure. Invest in a humidifier for your home.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} For best results, you need to sit or sleep near your humidifier. Don’t keep it across the room, where it won’t do you any good.
- Avoid making your home too humid, which can promote the growth of mold and dust mites, both of which are bad for people with nasal allergies. Less than 50% humidity is ideal.^{[5]XResearch source}
Nasal strips are sticky cloth strips that go over the bridge of the nose and physically hold nasal passages open to relieve stuffy noses. These are available in any drugstore or convenience store. They typically come in different sizes, so choose the size that best fits your nose.
6
Stay hydrated. Drinking water helps lubricate mucous membranes and inhaling steam helps hydrate dry nasal passages and relieve congestion. Try inhaling the steam from a hot shower or from a pot of hot water.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Be careful to avoid burning yourself with the steam. If you opt to use a pot of hot water, drape a towel over your head to trap the steam. This enables you to get the benefit of the steam while keeping your face far enough away from the heat source to avoid a steam burn.
Dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, and ragweed are all potential allergens. Other nasal irritants are cigarette smoke and strong perfumes or colognes. Avoid smoking and strong perfumes, and be sure to dust your home frequently to minimize indoor allergens.^{[7]XExpert SourceAlan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified AllergistExpert Interview. 29 July 2020.}
8
See if your pet is the culprit. Do you tend to get congested or have a sneezing fit when you cuddle or play with your dog or cat? If you think you might be allergic to your pet, avoid letting him or her sleep with you at night and give frequent baths to reduce the build-up of pet dander.
- Frequently vacuuming your carpets or sweeping and mopping hard floors will also help minimize the indoor allergens from your pet's fur.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting a Medical Diagnosis

1
Talk to your general practitioner. Tell your doctor what is bothering you in detail. Have you always had sinus issues or is this a new problem for you? Do you find that you feel better or worse at a certain time of the day? How are you currently finding relief? Be specific about your symptoms because the more details you provide your doctor, the better equipped they will be to help your particular condition.
- Other questions your doctor may ask: Do you have drainage? If so, how much and how frequent? What is the color and consistency? Do you feel facial pain or fullness? Reduction or loss of smell?
- If any of the following are present, you may have a condition more serious conditions than sinus congestion that needs immediate treatment: high fever, double or reduced vision, swelling around the eyes, pain when moving eyes, severe headache, stiff neck that is painful to move, or significant or recurrent nosebleeds.
2
Have a visual inspection of your nasal cavity. Before your doctor suggests medications or other procedures, they will likely perform a visual test. Looking into your nasal passages with a lighted scope will let your doctor see any irritation or surface level problems with your nasal passages.
- If necessary, your doctor may refer you to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor.
3
Take an allergy skin prick test. If your doctor recommends this test, they will prick your skin with small needles containing various allergens. If you show an allergic reaction to any of the prick points, then that will let your doctor know that you are sensitive to that particular allergen. This is helpful because it will let you know that you need to avoid pollen, for example, while you might be able to tolerate other kinds of potential allergens.
- You can also ask for a patch test if you don’t like the prospect of getting pricked with needles but you still want to test for allergies.^{[8]XExpert SourceAlan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
  Board Certified AllergistExpert Interview. 29 July 2020.}
4
Have an allergy blood test. For an allergy blood test, the idea is similar to that of a skin prick test. If your doctor recommends this test, know that the key difference is that rather than pricking your skin, your doctor will draw vials of blood to test for allergen sensitivities. This test is less accurate than skin prick tests, but it is still useful and widely used.
- Allergy blood tests are often used in children and others who might have complications or problems with the skin prick test.
To get a clear image of what might be wrong with your sinuses, your doctor might recommend a CT scan. These scans generate an image of your sinuses, so your doctor can see if your issues are being caused by a physical problem like a deviated septum. If your doctor sees no physical problem, then they can rule out physical causes of your sinus problems.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Addressing Issues That Won’t Go Away

An allergy test may reveal that you are allergic to certain foods, which you should then eliminate from your diet. Alcohol is also an irritant and can cause inflammation leading to a stuffy nose. It is a commonly held belief that dairy increases mucus production — but this is not true. It can, however, thicken mucus, making it more difficult to expel.
2
Try condition-specific over-the-counter medicines. If home remedies don’t work for your condition, you can try using OTC sinus medicine to treat your particular condition. Be sure that the medicine you choose is designed for your sinus problem.
- For example, if you have seasonal allergies, you might try an antihistamine medicine. For a cold your best choice would be decongestant medicine.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
If neither over-the-counter medicines nor home remedies have worked well for you, you can ask your doctor about prescription options. Your doctor might recommend a prescription nasal spray or a stronger antihistamine for severe congestion due to allergies.^{[10]XResearch source}
If you talked to your general practitioner and you still aren’t getting the relief you would like from your sinus problems, make an appointment with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. ENT doctors specialize in sinus issues and can recommend more advanced procedures and tests to try.
5
Consider surgery as a final option. If you have a serious problem with your breathing, then your doctor might recommend surgery. Procedures to correct physical problems like a deviated septum or narrow nasal passages can provide relief when no other techniques have worked.
- Although these procedures are not extremely invasive, they are still major surgical procedures, so ask your doctor about the risks and recovery time for your procedure.
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Expert Q&A

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Question
How can I stop blowing my nose if I'm allergic to something?
Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.
Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Expert Answer
Well, the most important thing you could do is figure out what you're allergic to. That way you can stay away from your trigger. Go see an allergist and get an allergy test!
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Question
What's the best treatment for a nasal allergy?
Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.
Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Expert Answer
Beyond avoidance, nasal steroid sprays are the first line of treatment. Things like Flonase and Nasacort can treat the allergy and get rid of irritation.
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Question
Can my child use a nasal spray to treat sinus irrittation?
Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.
Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Expert Answer
Yes. The most important thing when you're using nasal sprays is that you have to do it right. Make sure you spray straight up the nose. Don't aim for the sides. You need to make sure your child inhales it entirely for the spray to work.
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Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including supplements, over-the-counter, and prescription. Never mix medicines unless your doctor tells you to.
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