It’s flu season in South Carolina. If your sniffly nose just won’t go away, it may be a sinus infection, also called sinusitis. Most of the time, sinusitis is classified as acute, meaning it’s a one-time case that clears up on its own in a week or two. However, if your sinus infection lasts more than two weeks or keeps recurring, it may be classified as chronic sinusitis.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis occurs when mucus gets trapped in the spaces behind your nose and face and becomes infected. Mucus is most likely to become trapped when the nasal passageways are inflamed to such a degree that the passages are swollen shut. Some conditions that may cause this to happen are:
- The flu
- The common cold
- COVID-19
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Bacterial infections, such as pneumococcal disease
- Structural issues within the nose and sinuses, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum
How Can I Treat Sinusitis at Home?
As mentioned above, acute sinusitis will typically resolve on its own, but there are some measures you can take to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms. Always prioritize rest and hydration to help your body fight the infection, and use steam or heat to reduce inflammation—do this with a warm compress or by taking a hot, steamy shower. Over-the-counter medications can also help.
What If At-Home Treatments Aren’t Working?
If your sinus infection isn’t going away or isn’t responding well to at-home remedies, it’s time to see an ENT specialist. They will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, then, through a series of imaging tests or sample processing, they will diagnose your sinusitis and determine the best treatment option. One treatment option is Balloon Sinuplasty. This quick, minimally invasive procedure has an exceptionally high success rate. Ask us if this is right for you.
You may also want to consult an ENT specialist if you suspect that allergies are the main culprit behind your chronic sinusitis; a customized allergy plan may be the most effective treatment in that case. Contact Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy to learn more about sinusitis, its causes and possible treatments.