Home Remedies for Sinus Infection

Are you suffering from a sinus infection? Looking for home remedies for sinus infection? Here's some information on sinus infection home remedy.

Sinuses are four pairs of air filled cavities located within the bones surrounding our nose, cheeks and eyes. These are referred to as frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. Sinuses perform the vital function of filtering the dust particles from the inhaled air. The mucus layer that covers these sinuses not only moistens the nose but protects the lungs from harmful germs, viruses, bacteria and allergens. The condition associated with the inflammation of these sinuses is referred to as sinusitis. As a result of an inflammation in the sinuses, the sinus membranes secrete more mucus to flush out the irritants. This trapped mucus blocks the openings and results in a feeling of pressure and pain around the sinuses. Wondering what causes sinus problems and how to treat them? Though doctors might prescribe the use of nasal sprays and antibiotics, you can also use sinus infection home remedy for alleviating the symptoms of sinusitis. Here's some information on causes, symptoms and home remedies for sinus infection.

Sinus Infection: Causes and Symptoms

Sinusitis could be caused due to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Presence of allergens such as dust and pollen, damage to cilia due to excessive smoking, colds, dehydration and nasal bone injuries could also lead to inflammation of the sinuses. Wondering about the signs and symptoms of sinus infection? Well, the symptoms of a sinus infection vary depending on which of the four cavities is affected. The sufferer generally experiences pressure or pain in the forehead, nose, cheeks or eyes. Those suffering from maxillary sinusitis feel pain or pressure in the cheek area. When the frontal sinuses are affected, it causes pain or pressure behind or above the eyes. Inflammation in the ethmoid sinuses results in pain or pressure behind or between the eyes whereas sphenoid sinusitis causes pain or pressure in the top part of the head. The other symptoms of sinusitis include fever, nasal congestion, cold and cough, runny nose, difficulty in breathing, bad breath, toothache, reduced sense of taste and smell, fatigue and sore throat. Now that you are aware of the causes and symptoms of sinusitis, let's move on to the home remedies for sinus infection.

Sinus Infection: Home Remedies

Wondering how to treat a sinus infection? Though sinus infection treatment generally involves use of sinusitis antibiotics, antihistamines and decongestant nasal sprays, but it can also be treated with the help of sinus infection home remedies. The home remedies for sinus infection surely help in alleviating the sinusitis symptoms. Since decongestant sprays and antibiotics might have some side effects, using these home remedies for sinus infection while pregnant emerges as a safer alternative. Here are some of the best home remedies for sinus infection.

Steam Inhalation

Taking steam is one of the most effective sinus infection home remedy. Heat water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it. Wrap a towel over your head and inhale the steam for 10 minutes. Since eucalyptus oil is anti-bacterial in nature, it will help in relieving the nasal congestion to a great extent. The steam will help in thinning down the mucus blocking the sinuses and provide sinus congestion relief. Taking a hot shower or applying warm compresses to the affected area will also be helpful.

Alternative Healing Therapies

Looking for effective home remedies for sinus infection pain? Well, massaging the sinus pressure points with your fingertips and knuckles is one of the most effective sinus pressure remedies. Alternative healing therapies such as acupressure and shiatsu use the pressure points for treating sinusitis. Pressing the pressure points facilitates the flow of air through the sinus passages and helps in tackling the problem of sinus pressure. You can also try nasal irrigation for alleviating the symptoms of a sinus infection. You can consult a yoga practitioner to find information on how to use a neti pot. Yogic techniques such as pranayama and some asanas might help in providing sinus congestion relief.

Other Natural Remedies

You can also use garlic juice for getting relief. Due to its anti-bacterial properties, consumption of garlic is very beneficial for those suffering from sinusitis. It can be used in several ways. You can add garlic to a vegetable soup. You can also add chopped garlic to a bowl of hot water and inhale its steam 2-3 times in a day. Drinking herbal mint tea or peppermint tea will also provide relief. Let me tell you one of the most effective home remedies for sinus infection, add one tablespoon of mustard seed powder to water and bring it to a boil. Boil it until the water is reduced to half. Let it cool down to warm temperature. Put 1-2 drops in the nostrils with the help of a dropper. This will help in unclogging the nasal passages.

So, this was some information on home remedies for sinus infection. Though home remedies for sinus problems are surely effective in alleviating the symptoms of mild sinusitis but using a sinus infection home remedy might not help in treating a severe sinus infection. If you are suffering from a debilitating sinus infection, consult a doctor soon.