Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) Treatment: Medication, Self-Care, and More
Sinus infections, often called sinusitis, develop when the mucous membranes lining the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the face and head) become infected by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
Sinus infections are usually classified as acute or chronic depending on how long they last, with acute (short-term) infections resolving within four weeks and chronic (long-term) infections lasting 12 weeks or longer.
Treatment options for sinus infections depend on the cause of the infection and whether it’s acute or chronic. They may include medications, self-care, or in some cases, surgery.
There are several kinds of medications available for sinus infections, depending on the cause of the infection and if it’s acute or chronic.
Most sinus infections are caused by viruses, like those that cause the common cold. “Most sinus infections are viral and therefore resolve on their own,” says Dr. Hebert. “[But] if a sinus infection lasts for longer than 10 days or gets better and then worse again, it may be bacterial.”
Over-the-Counter Medications
“For symptom improvement, you can consider over-the-counter treatments like pain medications, saline rinses, topical steroids, and decongestants,” says Andrea Hebert, MD, MPH, an otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat physician) and associate professor of otorhinolaryngology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
The following treatments may be helpful for people with an acute sinus infection, especially if caused by a virus:
Nasal steroids, such as fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief), budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), mometasone (Nasonex), and beclomethasone (Beconase AQ), which are used to reduce and prevent swelling in the nose
Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and brompheniramine (Dimetapp), to help unblock the sinus openings and temporarily relieve nasal congestion
Nasal decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) or phenylephrine (Note that these drugs may help at first, but prolonged use can worsen nasal stuffiness, known as “rebound congestion.”)
Antihistamines (allergy medications), such as loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Pain relievers or fever reducers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve)
Antibiotics
Many people with a bacterial sinus infection also feel better by using the same treatments described above. But if your symptoms continue not to improve or even worsen, your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics.
The antibiotic your doctor prescribes will depend on your specific situation. Some examples include:
Amoxicillin and clavulanate
Amoxicillin
Cefixime
Cefpodoxime
Clindamycin
Doxycycline
Levofloxacin
It’s important to note that most healthy people with bacterial sinusitis often get better even without the use of antibiotics. This is especially important in cases where the risks of antibiotic use, such as unnecessary side effects, outweigh the benefits.
Medication for Chronic Sinusitis
Other medications may be needed for those who experience recurrent or chronic sinusitis — sinus inflammation that lasts longer than 12 weeks — depending on the underlying cause. They may include:
Intranasal steroid sprays
Topical antihistamine sprays or pills taken by mouth
Leukotriene antagonists, such as montelukast
As mentioned, acute sinus infections caused by viruses usually last only 7 to 10 days. These cases are usually treated by addressing the symptoms rather than the underlying cause. (Antibiotics are for bacterial infections, not viral infections, and the overuse of antibiotics can create drug-resistant bacteria.)
To help relieve symptoms, particularly sinus pain and stuffiness, without medications, try the following recommendations:
Use a saline nasal spray, neti pot, or saline squeeze bottle to help flush out the sinuses.
Apply a warm, moist washcloth or compress over your nose and forehead to alleviate sinus pressure.
Use a humidifier.
Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or while in the shower.
Drink plenty of fluids (this helps thin the mucus)
For those with recurrent or chronic sinusitis, surgery may be needed if medications don’t offer enough relief.
“Surgery can be considered if there is a severe sinus infection or if a patient has chronic sinus symptoms that are not improved with medical [medication] treatment,” says Hebert.
Because chronic sinusitis often occurs when something specific is irritating the sinuses, surgery may be needed to:
Fix a deviated septum
Remove nasal polyps
Open up your sinuses
Remove fungal balls (clumps of fungus that block the sinuses and cause inflammation)
Treatments for sinus infections depend on the cause of the infection and how long you’ve had it.
Treatments may include over-the-counter or prescription medication and self-care.
People who experience severe or recurring sinusitis may need surgery to help correct the root cause.
