Research has shown that about 85 percent of sinus infections in adults do clear up on their own within seven to 15 days. The vast majority are viral in nature and won’t respond to antibiotics. Unnecessary use of antibiotics is the leading cause of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of dangerous superbugs.
Medical guidelines suggest that it is appropriate to prescribe an antibiotic for a sinus infection if the patient has thick, green, brown, or bloody nasal discharge or facial pressure or pain for at least 10 days. Antibiotics are also considered necessary if sinus infection symptoms begin to improve and then get worse, even if it has been less than 10 days.
Here are a few suggestions for natural treatments from our pharmacist to help ease the discomfort of sinus infections:
- Put hot, wet towels over your upper face frequently. Work up to as much heat as you can stand, every 15 minutes, three or four times a day. This promotes drainage and increases blood flow to the sinus area.
- Drinking plenty of fluids will help moisten and thin the mucus in your sinuses; inhaling steam with a few drops of oil of thyme or oil of oregano is also a good idea.
- Nasal douching can help, too. Mix a solution of salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt to a cup of sterile warm water). You can pour some of the salt water into your cupped hand and inhale it into one nostril at a time while closing the other nostril with an index finger. Use only purified, sterile, or boiled water for nasal douching.
- You also may be able to limit chronic sinus infections by boosting your resistance. Take a daily multivitamin, and eat one to two cloves of raw garlic daily.
- Try eliminating cow’s milk and all cow’s milk products. It may take as long as to two months before you experience the full benefits of eliminating milk from your diet.