Sinusitis in adults - aftercare

What to Expect

Many cases of sinusitis clear up on their own. Most of the time, you do not need antibiotics if your sinusitis lasts for less than 2 weeks. Even when you do use antibiotics, they may only slightly reduce the time you are sick.

Your health care provider is more likely to prescribe antibiotics if your sinusitis lasts longer than 2 weeks or recurs often.

Your provider may also refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an allergy specialist.

Symptom Relief

Finding ways to keep mucus thin will help it drain from your sinuses and relieve your symptoms. Drinking plenty of clear fluids is one way to do this. You can also:

• Apply a warm, moist washcloth to your face several times a day.
• Inhale steam 2 - 4 times a day. One way to do this is to sit in the bathroom with the shower running. Do not inhale hot steam.
• Spray with nasal saline several times per day.

Use a humidifier to keep the air in your room moist.

You can buy nasal sprays that relieve stuffiness or congestion without a prescription. They may help at first, but using them for more than 3 - 5 days can cause your symptoms to get worse.

Other tips to relieve your symptoms are to avoid:

• Flying when you are congested
• Very hot or very cold temperatures or sudden changes in temperature
• Bending forward with your head down

Allergies and Sinusitis

Allergies that are not well-controlled can make sinus infections harder to treat.

Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays are 2 types of medicine that work well for allergy symptoms.

You can do many things to limit your exposure to triggers, things that make your allergies worse.

• Reduce dust and dust mites in the home.
• Control molds, indoors and out.
• Avoid exposure to plant pollens and animals that trigger your symptoms.

Taking Antibiotics

Do not self treat by taking leftover antibiotics you may have at home. If your health care provider prescribes antibiotics for your sinus infection, follow these general rules for taking them:

• Take all of the pills as prescribed, even if you feel better before you finish them.
• Always dispose of any unused antibiotic pills you may have at home.

Watch for common side effects of antibiotics. Some of these are:

• Skin rashes
• Diarrhea
• For women, yeast infection of the vagina (vaginitis)

Stay Healthy to Avoid Sinus Infections

Reduce stress and get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to get sick.

Other things you can do to prevent infections:

• If you smoke, stop.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Get a flu shot every year.
• Wash your hands often, especially after shaking other people’s hands.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if:

• Your symptoms last longer than 10 - 14 days.
• You have a severe headache that does not get better when you use pain medicine.
• You have a fever.
• You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly.
• You have any changes in your vision.
• You notice small growths in your nose.

References

Wilson JF. In the clinic. Acute sinusitis. Ann Intern Med. 2010 Sep 7;153(5):ITC31-15; quiz ITC316.

Rosenfeld RM, Andes D, Bhattacharyya N, Cheung D, Eisenberg S, Ganiats TG, et al. Clinical practice guideline: adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;137:S1-S31.

Update Date: 6/29/2012 12:00:00 AM

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.