Sinusitis (sinus infection)
Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
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Medicines commonly prescribed for Sinusitis (sinus infection)
For informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor before using any medicine.
Dosage form: TABLET, 1000 mgActive substance: amoxicillinManufacturer: Laboratorio Reig Jofre, S.A.Prescription requiredDosage form: CAPSULE, 500 mgActive substance: amoxicillinManufacturer: Sandoz Farmaceutica S.A.Prescription requiredDosage form: ORAL SOLUTION/SUSPENSION, 250 MGActive substance: amoxicillinManufacturer: Sandoz Farmaceutica S.A.Prescription required
Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
Symptoms of sinusitis
Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.
The main symptoms of sinusitis include:
- pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
- a blocked or runny nose
- a reduced sense of smell
- green or yellow mucus from your nose
- a high temperature
Other symptoms include:
- a headache
- toothache
- bad breath
- a cough
- a feeling of pressure in the ears
You may also snore at night and sound nasal when you speak.
Young children may also be irritable, have difficulty feeding and breathe through their mouth.
What are the sinuses?
The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.
Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.
This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.
How you can treat sinusitis yourself
You can usually treat mild sinusitis yourself by:
- getting plenty of rest
- drinking plenty of fluids
- taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under 16)
- avoiding things that trigger your allergies
- not smoking
- cleaning your nose with a salt water solution
How to clean your nose with a homemade salt water solution
- Boil around 570ml (1 pint) of water, then leave it to cool.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.
- Wash your hands.
- Stand over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it.
- Sniff the water into 1 nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.
- Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day (making a new solution each time) until your nose feels more comfortable.
If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
See a pharmacist if:
- you think you have sinusitis
- your child is aged 12 years or older and you think they have sinusitis
A pharmacist can give the same treatments as a GP for sinusitis. They can also give advice or direct you to other medical help if needed.
See a GP if:
You, or a child, have sinusitis symptoms and:
- you do not get better after 7 days of treatment from a pharmacy or GP
- you do not get better after 3 weeks of treating symptoms yourself
- you keep getting sinusitis
- your child is aged 11 years or younger
Treatment for sinusitis
If your sinusitis needs treatment, a pharmacist or GP may prescribe medicines such as:
- steroid nasal sprays or drops to reduce the swelling in your sinuses – you might need to take these for a few months
- antihistamines if an allergy is causing your symptoms
Rarely, you may need antibiotics. This is not common as sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, not bacteria.
A GP may refer you to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist if you:
- still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
- keep getting sinusitis
- only have symptoms on 1 side of your face
An ENT specialist may recommend surgery for some people.
Surgery for sinusitis
Surgery to treat chronic sinusitis is called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
FESS is carried out under general anaesthetic (where you're asleep).
The surgeon can widen your sinuses by either:
- removing some of the blocked tissue
- inflating a tiny balloon in the blocked sinuses, then removing it
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