This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Nasal infections are no fun. They usually cause pain, pressure, discomfort, and general fatigue, making you feel lousy overall. You’ll probably want relief as quickly as possible if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Luckily, most of the recommended treatments for nasal infections can be done right in your own home. Flushing out your sinuses, supporting your immune system, and taking steps to avoid pain are all treatments that doctors suggest to heal the infection. If these home treatments don’t work after 10 days, then call your doctor for an appointment. You may need a quick round of antibiotics to knock the infection out.[1]
Steps
Clearing Out Your Nasal Passage
Nasal infections usually start because mucous and bacteria get trapped in your sinuses. This is why rinsing out your nasal passages is one of the most common and effective treatments for sinus pressure and infections. A daily rinse can flush out mucous and bacteria, relieving your pain and eventually helping the infection clear up. It’ easy to flush your sinuses and there are a few different methods. Try a few and see which ones work best for you.
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1Inhale steam to loosen mucous. For a simple steam treatment, fill a bowl or pot with hot water. Then place your face over the bowl and drape a towel over your head. Inhale deeply to bring the steam into your sinuses.
- You can repeat this treatment 2-4 times per day while your symptoms last.
- You could also take a hot shower or bath and inhale deeply. This has a similar effect.
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2Rinse your sinuses with saline spray. Get a plain saline nasal spray from the pharmacy. Then hold your head over a sink and spray it into your top nostril, letting the saline flow out the opposite nostril. Repeat this 3-4 times per day.[2]
- You could also make your own saline solution by mixing 1/2 tsp (2,300 mg) of salt, 1/2 tsp (2,300 mg) of baking soda, and 2 cups (470 ml) of lukewarm water.[3]
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Overcoming the Infection
While flushing out your sinuses is the main way to treat nasal infection, it isn’t the only method. A few more tips and tricks can help your body fight off the infection naturally. In fact, even if you see a doctor, they will probably recommend the following ways to help clear the infection. Try them all to support your body and strengthen your immunity.
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1Rest so your body can fight off the infection. Your body can fight off the infection by itself, but it needs adequate rest to that. Do your best to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night and take it easy during the day while your symptoms last.[5]
- If you can, take a day or two off from work or school to rest up.
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2Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. When you’re well-hydrated, mucous stays loose and drains easier. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to keep yourself hydrated.[6]
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3Sleep with your head elevated so mucous doesn’t pool. If the mucous flows backward and pools, the infection could get worse. Put an extra pillow under your head at night to keep your head tiled forward.[7]
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4Eat fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system strong. The vitamins and minerals in these foods will help your body fight off the infection on its own.[8]
- Following a good diet can also prevent future infections, so consider making some permanent changes if you don’t always eat the healthiest meals.
Reliving Pain and Discomfort
Clogged sinuses are a real drain. Until your infection clears up, you’ll probably experience pressure and pain in your head and face. Luckily, there are a few natural home remedies you can use to make yourself more comfortable while you recover. If these don’t work, then taking a daily pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen is the most effective way to treat the pain.
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1Press a warm compress onto your face to relieve pain. Either soak a washcloth in warm water or use a heating pad. Hold the compress onto your face for 15-20 minutes at a time to soothe your sinuses.[9]
- Sinus pain is most common between your eyebrows and sometimes on your cheeks. Focus the compress wherever you feel the pain.
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2Use a humidifier to moisten the air in your home. Dry air can irritate your nasal passage and make the pain worse, so running a humidifier can make you more comfortable until the infection clears up.[10]
- If you regularly suffer from sinus infections, then running a humidifier all the time can help prevent future ones as well.
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3Blow your nose gently to prevent pain. While your stuffy nose will definitely be annoying, try not to force the mucous out. Blow your nose gently to prevent pain and nosebleeds.[11]
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4Avoid bending forward with your head down. This will increase the pressure in your sinuses. Instead, bend at the knee and keep your head up if you need to reach something below you.[12]
Unverified Herbal Remedies
The following treatments are common home remedies for nasal infections, but there isn’t a lot of science demonstrating their effectiveness. They might help you feel better, or they might not make any noticeable difference. If you’d like to try them, then there shouldn’t be any harm in that. Just check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements to make sure they’re safe for you.
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1Drink tea to reduce inflammation. There is some evidence that green, black, chamomile, and ginger teas have anti-inflammatory properties. Having 3-5 cups per day might reduce the inflammation in your nose.[13]
- If you also have a sore throat, then adding some honey and lemon to the tea will help soothe it.
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2Eat fresh pineapple. Pineapples have an enzyme called bromelain, which could fight inflammation and pain. Snacking on some fresh pineapples could help you feel better.[14]
- Even if pineapple doesn’t directly treat the infection, it has plenty of vitamins and nutrients that will help your body’s immune system.
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3Try elderberry extract. This herb has been a home remedy for colds and the flu for hundreds of years. It comes in tablet form, but also powders and teas.[15]
- Do not give elderberry to children younger than 12 unless your pediatrician says it’s safe.
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4Take gentian root. There is also some evidence that this herb can relieve sinus infections. It usually comes in an oil that you can take orally or mix with tea.[16]
Medical Takeaways
If you want a natural way to treat nasal infections without medication, then you’re in luck. Most of the treatments that doctors recommend are entirely natural and easy to do at home. With the right methods, you can help your infection clear up within a week. These treatments aren’t guaranteed, however, so be sure to see your doctor if the infection doesn’t improve within 10 days. In this case, your doctor can prescribe a round of antibiotics to cure the infection. Either way, you should be good as new once the infection clears up.
References
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw67090
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-are-neti-pots-and-do-they-work
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/natural_home_remedies_sinus_infections_sinusitis/article.htm
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/natural_home_remedies_sinus_infections_sinusitis/article.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/natural_home_remedies_sinus_infections_sinusitis/article.htm
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3401676/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3287010
- ↑ http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=002880
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21858267
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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