Treatment suggestions?

[pegkerr]

Home treatment for a sinus infection?

Argh. I'm totally fed up with my respiratory system. If I didn't NEED to breathe, I'd rip it out and donate it somewhere. To someone I don't like very much.

Karl Rove, maybe. Hah.

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Warm salt water. "Sniff" it, as much as you can, then blow your nose and repeat. It will help your head to stop aching.

A warm teabag compress on your forehead works well after you've done above.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Yes, what halfmoon_mollie said. My ENT prescribed large syringes or neti-pots, with a solution of 2 c. water and 1/8 t. each of baking soda and salt -- 20cc up each nostril twice daily "or as often as you can stand it," was her advice. And not just when I have a sinus infection, either, but other times, now that we know I'm susceptible to them.

[ari-o.livejournal.com]

That stings like hell when I do it but it always helps. If I can do it as soon as I feel like I am getting a cold I usually do not end up getting sick.

[jbru.livejournal.com]

If it stings, it's likely you don't have enough salt in the water.

[ari-o.livejournal.com]

No, I think I am just sensitive.

[piperki.livejournal.com]

No, no--my allergist says it's what kind of salt are you using. He recommends the kind they sell with Nasaline instead of the kind that goes with Sinucleanse. Srsly!

I haven't tried it yet, though.

[misia.livejournal.com]

Something that has worked well for me in the past is an antimicrobial nosedrops:

4 ounces distilled water
20 drops oregon grape root tincture
20 drops goldenseal tincture

Put them together in a clean (sterile's best, just boil it) glass bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake to combine.

Every few hours, dangle your head backwards and put 10 drops up each nostril, breathing in deeply through your nose.

Yes, it does sting a little due to the alcohol in the tinctures, but it is pretty dilute so it's not too bad.

Both goldenseal and oregon grape root are fine antimicrobials that have been in use for hundreds and hundreds of years. They work topically, not systemically, so the goal is to get some of the solution in contact with the infected tissues.

Feel free to just blow your nose afterward to get the excess out. Otherwise it will drip down the back of your throat and it is *very* bitter tasting. It won't hurt you if you swallow it, but the taste is not pleasant.

I've used this to clear up sinus infections several times, without resorting to antibiotics. For me, using it 6-8 times a day for 4-5 days has generally done the trick.

I would advise you, if you try it, to use it for 2 days and see how things are. If you're not feeling any improvement by day 3 or if you start running a fever, see a doc for some antibiotics, it may not be possible for you to get enough of the solution into your sinuses to do any good.

If it *is* helping, continue using it for at least another few days to make sure you've knocked out the ooky invaders completely.

Good luck! Sinus pain is so miserable, I hate it. I hope you feel better pronto.

[moony]

Shower Soothers. Those things are amazing. Sudafed makes 'em. Chuck one in the shower, turn on the water, and breathe. :-D

[slrose.livejournal.com]

The best one I know of was taught to me by an excellent medical masseuse.

It's reflexology. Basically, by applying pressure to the right points, you can make your sinuses start draining.

http://www.ofesite.com/health/reflex/chart/

Basically, you squeeze your toes -- the spot is roughly behind the toenail. Not the big toe, but the other ones. I put a finger on the nail and my thumb on the other side of the toe, and apply pressure. You can tell when you hit the right spot because it hurts. Apply just enough pressure that it is uncomfortable -- this will be less on the worse sinuses, and hold it. You should start to feel movement in your sinuses. Do this to all your toes. I usually do all the toes in turn, then concentrate on the ones that need it.

You can do similar things with the same area on the fingers, but it isn't quite as effective. But it is possible to do it at work without making people look at you like a madwoman.

This may well cause post-nasal drip, but it does get the stuff moving out of the sinuses.

[satakieli.livejournal.com]

To prevent the sore throat and hoarseness that I always used to get with a sinus infection: Kill the bacteria growing on the post-nasal drip by periodic gargling with Listerine or similar (2-3 times a day). Hurts like hell, but then goes pleasingly numb, and kills the little bugs before they get a chance to muck up your throat too badly.

That and keeping a constant supply of tissues to help fulfill the vow of never, ever sniffling, for the sake of the pressure behind your eyes.

I hope good health returns speedily!

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Breathing steam is my thing. (Used a lot these days as the smog builds up.)

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

What's Karl Rove ever done to you?

Oh, wait...

[sophie-spence.livejournal.com]

Alternating hot and cold compresses? Gently press a very hot compress across your sinuses until it doesn't feel hot (to your face, not your hand), and then a very cold compress until it doesn't feel cold. Repeat 3-6 times per session, 3-6 times per day. This worked very well for me when I was pregnant. I used a bowl with steaming hot water and a bowl with ice water, and two large face cloths.

My midwife, who suggested this, also suggested adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the hot water and a few drops of lavender or lemon oil to the cold water, but I didn't.

[porcinea.livejournal.com]

Things I Do:

Breathe-right nasal strips. (Plastic strips that adhere to your nose and hold it apart. *Much* better drainage.)
Stuff that smells good: with menthol and eucalyptus and whatever -- Badger makes a lovely balm for colds.
Sudafed: for when I'm really congested and need to be able to swallow for a few hours.
Steam: hot shower, kettle plus towel, whatever.

Things I Ought To Try:
Sinus washes. I'm too chicken.