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Sinus infections can be a painful and uncomfortable experience, but they don’t always require antibiotics. A natural home remedy for sinus infection in many cases may work better, especially if it’s viral.
What happens if you let sinus infections go untreated? – Untreated sinus infections can lead to chronic / recurrent sinus infections and even more serious health problems, such as permanent nasal obstructions, swelling, persistent headache, meningitis, neurologic and vision problems. It’s important to seek medical help if the infection does not improve with natural remedies after a week.
How long does a sinus infection last? – The duration of the infection depends on its origin and severity. Most sinus infections last 7 to 10 days, however they can range from as little as 3 days to more than three weeks.
Are there any natural antibiotics that can be used for sinus infection? – Yes! Oil of oregano, garlic and probiotics have been found to have antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and fungi. Goldenseal is also a great herb with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
Is sinus infection contagious? – Yes, viral sinus infections are contagious. Bacterial and fungal sinus infection can also spread from one person to another when you share personal items, however it is not as common. To prevent the spread of infection it’s important to wash your hands regularly.
Learning whether your sinus infection is caused by a virus, bacteria or fungi is often the first step in determining how to remedy it. We’ll also discuss options on how to get rid of sinus pressure, headache and pain associated to sinus infection, and some natural antibiotics which may be beneficial for treating recurrent sinus symptoms.
Types of Sinus Infections
Before treating a sinus infection naturally you need to know what’s the origin of your sinus infection.
There are three main types of sinus infections:
Viral sinus infection (most common type, usually presents itself in the form of a runny nose with clear mucus and frequent sneezing, and it usually resolves on its own without any special treatment);
Bacterial sinus infection (presents itself as a secondary infection with sinus pain, pressure, dental pain or headache, when the congestion worsens. It develops usually after a viral upper respiratory infection (5-7 later); The viral infections likely create the perfect conditions for the development of a bacterial infection in the sinuses. A bacterial infection can last longer, the mucus is more dense with green or brown color (doctors recommend antibiotics of it doesn’t clear up after 10-14 days).
Fungal sinus infection or sinusitis (common in immunocompromised individuals and in cases of prolonged use of antibiotics. The classical signs is ‘cheesy’ and ‘clay-like’ mucus, but it may require more tests for an exact diagnosis). This is the most stubborn form of sinus infection and may take longer to treat.
Natural Remedies For Sinus Infection
Decongestants are usually not recomended for prolonged use as well as antihistamines because they have not been shown to be useful long- term, and also can lead to impaired drainage. Therefore antibiotics are the most popular for treating bacterial sinus infections. But due do incresed bacterial resistance it’s effectiveness is declining in the last few years.
Even with antibiotics, it will still take some time to fight off an infection, because it will stop the bacteria reproducing temporarily. And if your body’s immune system is not strong enough to fight, often a secondary infection will follow.
If you had a few rounds of antibiotics without much success you probably already know that. And you’re looking for other options on how to get rid of a sinus infection naturally, with home remedies.
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