To treat a sinus infection, you can follow these steps depending on severity and cause:

Home Remedies and Symptom Relief

• Rest and hydration: Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to help your body fight the infection and keep mucus thin

• Nasal irrigation: Use a neti pot or saline nasal sprays to rinse and moisturize nasal passages, which can relieve congestion and pressure

• Warm compresses: Apply a warm compress over your nose and forehead to ease sinus pressure and pain

• Steam inhalation: Breathing in steam from a hot shower or bowl of hot water may help open nasal passages, though evidence is limited

• Over-the-counter medications: Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and fever; decongestants can reduce swelling but should not be used for more than 3-4 days to avoid rebound congestion

Medical Treatments

• Antibiotics: Only prescribed if a bacterial infection is suspected, usually if symptoms last more than 7-10 days or worsen. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral sinus infections

• Nasal corticosteroids: Prescription nasal sprays reduce inflammation and swelling in the sinus passages, useful especially for chronic or severe cases

• Allergy treatments: If allergies contribute to sinusitis, antihistamines or allergy shots may help control symptoms

• Oral steroids: May be used in severe or chronic sinusitis to reduce inflammation

• Surgery: Considered if medical treatment fails, to correct anatomical issues or remove nasal polyps obstructing sinuses

When to See a Doctor

• Symptoms persist beyond 10 days or worsen after initial improvement
• Severe facial pain, headaches, vision changes, or high fever lasting more than 3-4 days
• Frequent sinus infections or symptoms in young infants

In summary, most sinus infections improve with rest, hydration, nasal irrigation, and symptom relief medications. Antibiotics and other medical treatments are reserved for bacterial or chronic cases