Sinusitis: Home remedies

Cold and flu season is where sinusitis feels most at home.

Often triggered by a viral infection such as a cold, sinusitis occurs when the tissues lining the sinuses become inflamed, leading to congestion and symptoms that can sometimes feel worse than the original illness.

There are 2 distinct types of sinusitis, with different recovery times. Acute sinusitis typically lasts for up to 3 weeks, while chronic sinusitis lasts for several months or even longer. Chronic sinusitis is the more medically complex of the 2, but there are still things you can do at home that will help to relieve the symptoms in the short term.

Sinusitis is a fact of life for many, particularly during cold and flu season.

The sinuses are naturally lined with mucus. When the sinuses swell up and block during a cold, the mucus can't drain away as it normally would.

This creates conditions where mucus builds up, which can lead to inflammation and sometimes infection.

Sinusitis can also be triggered by allergies that similarly cause the mucus lining to become irritated.¹ Chronic sinusitis is an inflammatory condition like asthma or psoriasis, which needs medical investigation and an ongoing management plan.

Sinusitis causes a blocked nose, often accompanied by facial pressure and/or pain. This makes it difficult to think, work, eat and sleep and can be incredibly frustrating. Other symptoms you might experience include loss of sense of smell or taste; bad breath; sore throat; tooth or jaw ache; postnasal drip in the back of the throat; and fever. People who suffer from persistent or recurring sinusitis are also at risk of developing depression and/or anxiety.

Sometimes, acute sinusitis will resolve itself without medical intervention.

A GP may consider antibiotics if symptoms are severe, last longer than around 10 days without improving, or get worse after you start to recover.

In the meantime, there are lots of things you can take or do at home to make symptoms more bearable.²

• Inhaling steam in the shower or over a bowl of hot water will help to moisten the sinus passages and thin out the mucus.
• Using a saline nasal spray will do a similar job, and reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
• Nasal irrigation (also called a sinus flush) uses warm, sterile saline solution with a neti pot or a rinse bottle to gently flush your sinuses of mucus and other irritants that can cause swelling.
• Feeling pressure or facial pain? A warm compress can relieve that and improve drainage from your sinuses.
• Water is the magic ingredient. Staying hydrated is a natural way to relieve sinus pressure, so drink plenty of water and herbal tea, and limit caffeine and alcohol.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture into the air and into your nose.
• Eating spicy food can provide temporary relief for congestion by making your nose run. Chilli, garlic, ginger, curries and wasabi will all do the trick.
• Don't be a hero. As with any sickness, rest will help you recover more quickly.

Over-the-counter (OTC) or behind-the-counter (as you'll have to ask the pharmacist) decongestant sprays can be the magic bullet for a stuffed-up nose, or at least a temporary one.

They work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose, which reduces the swelling caused by sinusitis and opens up the nasal passages so you can breathe in clear, fresh air. Bliss.

However, it can be tempting to keep using them for more than the recommended 3 to 5 days. Overuse leads to 'rebound congestion', where your nose becomes sensitive to the spray and ends up even more blocked than it was before.

If your acute sinusitis is the result of a cold, it may well resolve itself after a couple of weeks. If your symptoms are severe, such as bad facial pain or fever, or if they last longer than 10 days without improving, or get worse after you start to recover, it’s worth speaking to a GP. Symptoms that continue for 12 weeks or more may be a sign of chronic sinusitis.

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) offers information and support for Australians and New Zealanders living with allergies, providing medical practice, training, education and research.