Nose-Infection Cure

Anyone who has ever suffered from a sinus infection of the nose understands how painful the condition can be. Pain is not always limited to the nose, but can radiate to the face, ears and jaw. Thankfully, sufferers have several options to choose from on how to treat sinus infections.

Understand the Causes

• Understanding what causes a sinus infection may help sufferers to avoid them or have them less frequently. Sometimes the cause is as simple as using a humidifier at night, while sleeping to avoid dry air that can irritate the membranes and lead to sinus infection.

  The medical site medicinenet.com informs readers that sinus infections have a number of possible causes including colds and allergies. External irritants can also be a cause including sniffing cocaine, overuse of over-the-counter sinus sprays and cigarette or marijuana smoke.

  Anything that causes damage or irritation to the sinus membranes can cause bacteria or fungus to grow, resulting in a sinus infection.

Examine At-Home Remedies

• MayoClinic.com gives examples of several things you can do at home to treat your sinus infection. For example, you can try steam for relief by taking a hot shower and inhaling. Its website also suggests draping warm compresses on your nose and eyes.

  It is helpful to drink enough fluids when battling a sinus infection. This helps promote sinus draining and dilute the mucous. Water is the ideal beverage for this purpose. It is best to avoid drinking alcohol, as this can irritate the lining of the nose and make the situation worse.

  Sinusinfectionhelp.com tells readers that it is best to avoid drinks with excessive sugar or caffeine, as well.

  Using a saline nasal spray throughout the day helps comfort the irritated membranes and avoid uncomfortable dryness in the sinuses. Saline sprays are available at most drugstores and supermarkets.

Know When to See a Doctor

• When at-home remedies fail to bring relief, it is advisable to make an appointment to see a medical professional. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat your sinus infection. Which antibiotic he chooses will depend upon the particular patient, cost and other symptoms that accompany the infection.

  It is important to note that sinus infections can be a symptom of another medical condition. For example, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation alerts visitors to their website CFF.org, which mentions that sinus infections can be a symptom of cystic fibrosis, a disease that can cause life-threatening lung infections.