Can you have sinusitis without a cold

This saline and baking soda mixture can help clear your sinuses of discharge, relieve dryness, and flush allergens. The product GeloMytrol , which is an oral capsule of essential oils , and Sinupret , an oral mixture of elderflower, cowslip, sorrel, verbena, and gentian root, have shown in multiple studies including two from and to be effective in treating both acute and chronic sinusitis.

It is not recommended to mix these herbs yourself. Using too little or too much of each herb can have unintended side effects, such as allergic reactions or diarrhea. Talk to your doctor before attempting to take antibiotics for sinusitis. Side effects , such as a rash , diarrhea, or stomach issues, can result from taking antibiotics for sinusitis. Avoiding things that irritate your nose and sinuses can help decrease sinusitis.

Cigarette smoke can make you especially prone to sinusitis. Smoking damages the natural protective elements of your nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system. Ask your doctor if you need help quitting or if interested in quitting. It can be an important step in preventing episodes of both acute and chronic sinusitis. Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu season, to keep your sinuses from becoming irritated or infected by viruses or bacteria on your hands.

Talk to your doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. You may need to seek an allergy specialist for allergic immunotherapy shots or similar treatments. Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis.

Nasal sprays, saline sprays, and pain relief are all effective treatments for acute sinusitis. Most children will fully recover from a sinus infection without antibiotics. Antibiotics are used for severe cases of sinusitis or in children who have other complications because of sinusitis. An ENT specialist can take a culture of nose drainage to better understand the cause of an infection. The ENT specialist can also examine the sinuses more closely and look for any problem in the structure of the nasal passages that could lead to chronic sinus problems.

Acute sinusitis usually goes away within one to two weeks with proper care and medication. Chronic sinusitis is more severe and may require seeing a specialist or having long-term treatment to address the cause of the constant infections. Chronic sinusitis can last for three or more months.

Good hygiene, keeping your sinuses moist and clear, and treating symptoms immediately can help shorten the course of the infection. Many treatments and procedures exist for both acute and chronic cases. Even if you experience multiple acute episodes or chronic sinusitis, seeing a doctor or specialist can greatly improve your outlook after these infections. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies.

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Fast and easy Christmas craft ideas to decorate your tree. How to make a bird house for your garden. Load more articles. First Name. Email address. But there are times where bacteria can cause a sinus infection. A sinus infection, or sinusitis , occurs when the air-filled pockets in the face, called sinuses, fill up with fluid, inflaming the sinus lining and preventing them from draining.

The trapped mucus can allow bacteria to grow, which leads to an infection, Melinda said. While migraines may occur any time of the day, sinus headaches tend to be worse in the morning upon waking up. If you experience ongoing headaches without sinus pressure, severe congestion, or other related symptoms, you may have a migraine instead. This is a common misdiagnosis, with one study finding that Migraines may be initially misdiagnosed as sinusitis because both may cause forehead and eye pain.

They can also affect one side of your head only. Furthermore, research has found that many people with migraines have also complained of a runny nose and nasal congestion. Both sinus headaches and migraines can cause pressure on the front of the forehead.

If your headache is truly related to your sinuses, you may have tenderness and pain in your cheeks and nose, as well as cold-like symptoms. Aura, nausea, and dizziness, on the other hand, are common migraine symptoms.

Depending on their underlying cause, sinus headaches may be treated with one or more of the following:. OTC pain medications may help an acute attack, but frequent usage has been found to make migraines worse. Recurring headaches and suspected acute sinusitis should always be evaluated by a doctor. Experts believe that most people who self-diagnose sinusitis are actually experiencing migraines. Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial to successful treatment. You should also see your doctor if your headaches are accompanied by symptoms typically experienced with migraine attacks.

Accompanying nausea, vision changes, and light sensitivity could mean you have a migraine, and not a sinus headache. For migraine treatment, you can start with your primary care physician, and if needed you may be referred to a headache specialist, possibly a neurologist or ear, nose, and throat ENT doctor.

However, a sinus headache is usually associated with allergies, colds, or an infection.