Treatment for sinusitis is done with medicines, such as saline solutions, anti-inflammatories, nasal decongestants or antibiotics, as they help to alleviate symptoms or fight bacteria, and surgery may also be indicated in some cases.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses, which are small cavities in the skull, around the nose and eyes, causing symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose or a feeling of pressure in the face, for example. Know how to identify all the symptoms of sinusitis.
Sinusitis treatment must be carried out by an otorhinolaryngologist, according to the severity of the symptoms and their cause, which may be allergic diseases or infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria, and thus indicate the best treatment on an individual basis.
Main treatments
The main treatments for sinusitis that may be recommended by your doctor are:
1. Saline solutions
Saline solutions, such as 0.9% sodium chloride or seawater saline solution, help wash and clean the sinuses, in addition to reducing the symptoms of a runny or stuffy nose caused by viral or bacterial sinusitis.
Furthermore, these saline solutions also help eliminate irritants and allergens, which can cause allergic sinusitis.
Saline solutions can be found in pharmacies or drugstores, under the trade names NeoClin, Salsep, Maresis baby or Sorine infantil, for example.
2. Analgesics and anti-inflammatories
Analgesics and anti-inflammatories, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, for example, may be recommended by the doctor to relieve headache and pain in the facial bones.
Additionally, these remedies help reduce inflammation of the sinuses, relieving sinusitis symptoms. Find out how to take ibuprofen and paracetamol.
3. Nasal sprays
Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids, such as fluticasone, budesonide or mometasone, help reduce inflammation and swelling of the sinuses, relieving nasal congestion, runny nose, itching and sneezing.
4. Oral corticosteroids
Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone or prednisolone, help reduce swelling and inflammation of the sinuses, relieving the symptoms of sinusitis.
These corticosteroids should only be used with medical guidance and indication, with well-determined doses and for the time indicated by the doctor, on an individual basis.
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5. Nasal decongestants
Nasal decongestants, such as naphazoline, oxymetazoline or tetrahydrozoline, help to improve the symptoms of sinusitis, such as a runny or blocked nose, as they cause vasoconstriction, leading to a rapid decongestant effect.
These remedies should be used for a short period of time, for a maximum of 10 to 14 days, as they cause dependence and a rebound effect, which is when the nasal mucosa increases mucus production as it notices that secretion decreases. See other ways to relieve nasal congestion.
Another way to use decongestants is in the form of tablets, such as Tylenol sinus or Sinutab, which in addition to reducing the feeling of a blocked and runny nose, have an analgesic effect and are also effective in relieving pain.
Read too: Rebound effect: what it is, symptoms, causes (and what to do)
6. Anti-allergy
In the case of allergic sinusitis, the doctor may recommend the use of anti-allergy medications, such as cetirizine, loratadine or bilastine, to treat inflammation of the nasal sinuses triggered by an allergy. See all treatment options for allergic sinusitis.
7. Waiting
In some cases, the doctor may recommend the use of expectorants, such as guaifenesin, as they act by making the phlegm more liquid, facilitating its elimination.
8. Antibiotics
Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanate, azithromycin, axetilcefuroxime or levofloxacin, for example, are recommended by doctors only for the treatment of acute or chronic bacterial sinusitis, that is, when it is caused by a bacterial infection.
Treatment with antibiotics should only be carried out with medical advice, and generally the treatment time varies from 5 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the infection and the response to the antibiotic. Check out the main antibiotics for sinusitis.
9. Antifungals
In cases of fungal sinusitis, which is caused by fungi, the doctor may recommend the use of antifungal medications, such as amphotericin B, for example, as they help eliminate the fungus.
These remedies should only be used under medical advice, after carrying out tests to identify the type of fungus. Learn more about treating fungal sinusitis.
10. Surgery
Surgery may be recommended by the doctor in cases of recurrent acute sinusitis or chronic sinusitis, in which symptoms last more than 12 weeks.
This type of treatment is normally done when sinusitis is caused by changes in the nasal septum, nasal polyps, narrowing of the orofacial cavities, fungal infections or when sinusitis does not improve with other treatments, for example.
Surgery for sinusitis allows the correction of nasal changes, in addition to allowing the opening of the drainage holes in the sinuses, facilitating the drainage of mucus retained in the sinuses, improving the symptoms of sinusitis. Find out more about how it is done, risks and recovery from sinus surgery.
How to treat chronic sinusitis
Treatment for chronic sinusitis is prolonged, lasting 3 or 4 weeks, and may include the use of antibiotics, oral corticosteroids or nasal sprays, as well as nebulizers with filtered water or saline solution to relieve nasal congestion or even surgery.
Chronic sinusitis is one that lasts more than 12 weeks, and is generally caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, difficult-to-control allergies, fungal infections, or changes in the drainage of sinus secretions.
Home Treatment Options
Some home treatment options can help complement treatment, but do not replace doctor’s advice.
A great option is nasal washing with water and salt, as it facilitates the removal of secretions, leaving the airways free, reducing pain and nasal congestion. Learn how to make saline solution for sinusitis.
Another natural remedy for sinusitis is steam inhalation from medicinal plants, such as eucalyptus or orange peel, as they have expectorant properties.
To carry out these inhalations, you must place 1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil or the peel of 1 orange in a pan, along with 1 liter of water, and let it boil. Then, turn off the fire and inhale the steam, when it is warm, to avoid injuries. See other natural ways to relieve sinusitis.
Treatment for childhood sinusitis
The treatment of childhood sinusitis must also be carried out according to its cause and the symptoms of each child, with the use of anti-inflammatories, anti-allergens and, if necessary, antibiotics that must be prescribed by the pediatrician according to the age and condition. child’s weight.
In addition to medicines, a great solution is to wash your nose with saline solution or water and salt, as well as nebulize with saline solution, to facilitate the exit of secretions and relieve inflammation of the nasal sinuses and some symptoms such as runny nose and nasal congestion. .
See how to nebulize for sinusitis by watching this video:
Care during treatment for sinusitis
During treatment for sinusitis, it is important to adopt certain precautions such as:
- Drink around 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day;
- Avoid going to places with cigarette smoke or with the air conditioning on;
- Avoid cleaning the house until the sinusitis passes;
- Avoid being in places or handling objects with a lot of dust.
Furthermore, if you are in a cold place, it is recommended to protect your mouth and nose with a scarf.
Signs of improvement
Signs of improvement in sinusitis include a reduction in runny nose, nasal congestion, headache and pain in the facial bones.
Signs of worsening
Signs of worsening sinusitis include increased runny nose, nasal congestion, headache and pain in the facial bones. In these cases, it is important to return to the doctor to reevaluate symptoms and consider changing the medication.
