Anyone found a way to resolve sinus infections on their own?

[lokiju]

I have allergies that are really bad. I'm doing allergy shot treatments but just started them this week and the Dr. said it'll take months for it to help if it helps at all.

I saw my ENT and Allergist Thursday and didn't have a sinus infection at the time and of course have a full blown one Saturday morning when neither of those doctors are open.

I'm pretty tired of taking antibiotics and oral steroids honestly and just want to find a solution that I can do without taking more antibiotics for another month straight like last time.

It's a infection in my nose, I just feel like there should be some nasal antibiotics or something like that to go after the problem spot instead of my whole body.

I've used a NeilMed sinus rinse when I get these and it helps a lot to get rid of the gunk but I want a way to solve/cure the infection faster than it's own natural course so I don't have to suffer for a week or more each time I got these reoccurring infections.

Anyone else have chronic sinus infections as a result of year round allergies that has found a good/great way to speed up recovery time?

 

[vi edit]

I have coworkers that swear by their netti pots. They say it's the best thing they've used for sinus infections. I can't get past the fact that it's sort of like a mini waterboard torture on yourself.

 

[lxskllr]

I have coworkers that swear by their netti pots. They say it's the best thing they've used for sinus infections. I can't get past the fact that it's sort of like a mini waterboard torture on yourself.

Some snuffers use them to clear their noses. I've heard good things, but I never tried them.

 

[spidey07]

Use neti pot and don't take decongestants. You want your sinuses to drain to get rid of the bug, not hold it in. Doc told me worst thing you can do is take those. Stops you body from doing what it needs to do.

And go to a doc in a box or clinic if you want antibiotic today.

 

[KaOTiK]

My mom use to always get sinus infections due to bad allergies. About a year ago she started rinsing her sinus with a saline solution 2-3 times a day. She'd do it in the morning after waking up, during the afternoon, and before bed. She was always do it after being outside for a little bit too. Ever since she started that nearly a year ago she hasn't had a sinus infection.

 

[Jesusthewererabbit]

Sinus rinses help a lot to keep them at bay, but once you have it, you have it until it's gone. Oral antibiotics work well for me, and if i don't get them, I'll be sick for two weeks minimum.

 

[spidey07]

Sinus rinses help a lot to keep them at bay, but once you have it, you have it until it's gone. Oral antibiotics work well for me, and if i don't get them, I'll be sick for two weeks minimum.

If flem is yellow you really need an antibiotic. Otherwise it can move to your chest and risk pneumonia.

 

[lokiju]

I have coworkers that swear by their netti pots. They say it's the best thing they've used for sinus infections. I can't get past the fact that it's sort of like a mini waterboard torture on yourself.

I typo'd it in the OP but the NeilMed is basically the same function.

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php

It does help me more than anything else out there as far as feeling better in my nose but I want shorten the duration if at all possible without having to take antibiotics all the time.

 

[spidey07]

Once you get an actual infection antibiotics are the quickest and best means of treatment. Flushing your sinuses, staying hydrated are the best course to keep it from becoming an infection. No decongestants.

 

[JEDI]

I have allergies that are really bad. I'm doing allergy shot treatments but just started them this week and the Dr. said it'll take months for it to help if it helps at all.

I saw my ENT and Allergist Thursday and didn't have a sinus infection at the time and of course have a full blown one Saturday morning when neither of those doctors are open.

I'm pretty tired of taking antibiotics and oral steroids honestly and just want to find a solution that I can do without taking more antibiotics for another month straight like last time.

It's a infection in my nose, I just feel like there should be some nasal antibiotics or something like that to go after the problem spot instead of my whole body.

I've used a NeilMed sinus rinse when I get these and it helps a lot to get rid of the gunk but I want a way to solve/cure the infection faster than it's own natural course so I don't have to suffer for a week or more each time I got these reoccurring infections.

Anyone else have chronic sinus infections as a result of year round allergies that has found a good/great way to speed up recovery time?

remove the sinuses
problem solved
no more sinus infections!

and its covered by insurance!

 

[lokiju]

Once you get an actual infection antibiotics are the quickest and best means of treatment. Flushing your sinuses, staying hydrated are the best course to keep it from becoming an infection. No decongestants.

I'm debating if I should go to a walkin clinic to get antibiotics or not. Part of me feels like seeing how it feels tomorrow but then part of me doesn't want it to become another 2 weeks of suffering from it...

Guess worst case I can try the rinsing method and if it's not improving in any way then see my ENT Monday.

I don't take decongestants. I know it makes it worse from experience.

This is my 4th sinus infection in 4 months.

I've been on antibiotics more days in those 4 months than I haven't.

I REALLY hope this immunotherapy allergy shots I'm getting from the Allergist starts to help sooner than later, this is freaking miserable.

 

[HeXen]

SinusBuster...about $14 at walgreens. Say what ya want, but i used to have to use stuff like nettipots..etc and i used sinusbuster for a few months and its been a year now and i've never had to use anything.
i still get the occasional runny nose or sneazing fit, buts its more rare now and my nose never stuffs up like it used to. The allergy pills used to never work but havnt had to use them in quite a long time. or maybe i out grew it all and sinusbuster use was just coincendtal? but its good stuff either way.

 

[Fritzo]

I have coworkers that swear by their netti pots. They say it's the best thing they've used for sinus infections. I can't get past the fact that it's sort of like a mini waterboard torture on yourself.

This- they were perfectly. Everyone in my family has used one with good results.

 

[bfdd]

If flem is yellow you really need an antibiotic. Otherwise it can move to your chest and risk pneumonia.

ya, that shit sucks. was almost hospitalized two years ago cause of that.

 

[lokiju]

SinusBuster...about $14 at walgreens. Say what ya want, but i used to have to use stuff like nettipots..etc and i used sinusbuster for a few months and its been a year now and i've never had to use anything.
i still get the occasional runny nose or sneazing fit, buts its more rare now and my nose never stuffs up like it used to. The allergy pills used to never work but havnt had to use them in quite a long time. or maybe i out grew it all and sinusbuster use was just coincendtal? but its good stuff either way.

Does it burn? Says it's capsaicin based.

 

[stargazr]

Sudafed (generic) and a neti pot. An alternative to a neti pot is saline nasal spray available at a drug store. During allergy season I use Flonaise and also Allegra if I'm getting bad reactions outside. The idea is to be defensive with allergies to prevent attacks before you get the infection.

Last time I got antibiotics the doc said the sinuses are dark and moist, an ideal place for infection. However a true sinus infection requiring antibiotics is worse than most people have. It's one of the types of infection that you can walk around with (in it's milder form anyway) for quite awhile.

 

[de8212]

For the past few years I have gotten sinus infection every 3 or 4 months. My dr finally gave me a prescription nose spray. I was hesitant for years because I don't like sticking stuff in my nose. Since using it I haven't got one infection in almost a year. I can't think of the name but I'll find out and edit this post.


Of course, I don't think it will help now that you have one but it's something to keep in mind for the future.

 

[Ken g6]

OK, here's my long procedure for clearing your sinuses...

Step 1, pre-treatments that may be enough, and haven't been mentioned yet:
1. Humidifier. Either use one that boils water, or be sure to keep it clean.
2. Mucinex (Guaifenesin). Generic is fine, but don't get any other ingredients, like decongestants.
3. An NSAID, like Ibuprofen, may decrease swelling in the sinuses and allow them to drain better.

Step 2, sinus pulling. A doctor once showed me this trick for clearing my clogged ears: hold your nose and swallow hard. Feel that pull on your ears? Good. Now, try it again, but try to keep your ears closed. Did that pull on your sinuses? Good.

Step 3, sinus flushing. Be warned, this hurts. A lot. I don't do it unless nothing else has worked. Go to a sink, preferably in the bathroom near some tissues. Run warm water. Cup it in your hands, and put it to your nose, until it doesn't feel cold. Then, from your cupped hands, sniff some of the water. Hold your nose with your fingers so it doesn't run back out (dumping the rest of the water that was in your hands in the process. Now, bend over forward, and swallow hard while keeping your ears closed. This will hurt, but it sends the water all over your sinuses. Once you've done that, blow your nose gently; or you may feel like sneezing.

That's the best I can suggest for you. If that doesn't fix your sinuses, see a doctor.

Note: Boiled water, without chlorine, might be both less painful and more effective. But I've never tried it.

 

[Texashiker]

Buy an over the counter nasal spray, replace the contents with vodka, apply every 3 - 4 hours or as needed.

 

[sixone]

If the infection is in your nose, not in your sinus cavity, local application of heat might help. But that means sitting around with a hot water bottle on your face for a few hours, if not longer.

Use a damp cloth between your face and the hot water bottle, and fill the bottle with the hottest water you can stand, without burning your skin. Refill the bottle as soon as it gets cool enough that you don't feel the heat anymore.

If nothing else, it might get you thru the weekend.

 

[db]

I use a gravity style neti pot daily. It has cut my allergy meds by about 1/2, and if I catch a cold it speeds up recovery time by a few days. I don't buy the pre-measured stuff (expensive "buffered" (baking soda) salt packets); I roll my own, slightly more than 1/2 tsp per 1 cup of water. I use fine sea salt and filtered water (or tap water when I have to).

I also do stage 2 where I inhale the water so it goes into other sinus cavities which otherwise are not irrigated by the gravity method.

I consider the use of a neti pot as preventative care, but it also helps when there is a problem.

 

[brblx]

welcome to my fucking hell.

i have constant sinus issues, which often turn into infections. if i use a netty pot, mucinex, or some such to regularly clear shit out, then i end up vomiting through a sore throat, which is epicly miserable.

 

[cirrrocco]

I have allergies that are really bad. I'm doing allergy shot treatments but just started them this week and the Dr. said it'll take months for it to help if it helps at all.

I saw my ENT and Allergist Thursday and didn't have a sinus infection at the time and of course have a full blown one Saturday morning when neither of those doctors are open.

I'm pretty tired of taking antibiotics and oral steroids honestly and just want to find a solution that I can do without taking more antibiotics for another month straight like last time.

When I get a bad sinus or blockage.. I go to a thai restaurant and get some of their hot soup. I am guessing you are asian, so you should also add more pepper to add more of a kick. pepper + soup tends to clear up blockages real quick.

Also one other way to get equalyptus oil and put it in some boiling water, put a blanket over your head and take the fumes in for about 15-20 mins. clears the shit up. You could also buy the vicks vaporub from cvs, walgreens or the generic ones. You can take a dib and then put it in boiling water

Similarly if you have indian restaurants near your house. try to see if you can order rasam [It is kinda like a soup ]. Again add more pepper and drink it..These are some good quick cures.

experience : stems from getting recurrent colds when I was younger. even these days when I ride my motorcycle in the rain, I tend to get them from time to time and the above greatly alleviates my symptoms

 

[gevorg]

1. eat a whole onion, raw, without any other food
2. blow everything out that you can
3. face steaming
4. blow everything out that you can
5. neti pot as mentioned above

 

[IronWing]

Soak you finger in vinegar to shrivel it up for extra reach.