Sinusitis

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis means your sinuses are swollen and inflamed. Your sinuses are small, hollow spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to your nose. When they get swollen, mucus can't drain properly, making you feel blocked up and uncomfortable.

Most people get sinusitis after having a cold or flu. It's very common and usually gets better on its own within 4 weeks.

What does sinusitis feel like?

The main signs of sinusitis include:

• Pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
• Blocked or runny nose
• Not being able to smell things as well as usual
• Green or yellow mucus from your nose
• High temperature

You might also have:

• Headache
• Toothache
• Bad breath
• Cough
• Feeling of pressure in your ears
• Snoring at night
• Sounding stuffy when you talk

If your child has sinusitis, they might be grumpy, find it hard to eat, and breathe through their mouth instead of their nose.

How to help yourself feel better

For mild sinusitis, you can try these things at home:

• Get plenty of rest - your body needs energy to fight the infection
• Drink lots of fluids - water, warm drinks and soup all help
• Take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen (never give aspirin to children under 16)
• Avoid things that trigger allergies if you have them
• Don't smoke or be around cigarette smoke
• Clean your nose with salt water - this helps clear blocked passages

How to make salt water for your nose

1. Boil about 570ml (1 pint) of water, then let it cool down
2. Mix in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
3. Wash your hands well
4. Stand over a sink and cup some solution in your palm
5. Gently sniff the water into one nostril at a time
6. Breathe through your mouth and let the water drain out
7. Don't let the water go down your throat
8. Do this up to 3 times a day with fresh solution each time

If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for normal activities, stay at home until you feel better.

When to get help

See a pharmacist if:

• You think you have sinusitis
• Your child is 12 or older and might have sinusitis

Pharmacists can give the same treatments as GPs and offer helpful advice.

Speak to your GP if:

• You don't feel better after 7 days of pharmacy treatment
• Symptoms don't improve after 3 weeks of home treatment
• You keep getting sinusitis
• Your child is 11 or younger

Get urgent help from your GP or NHS 111 if:

• You feel very unwell
• Painkillers don't help or symptoms get worse
• You have a weakened immune system (like if you're having chemotherapy)

Treatment options

If needed, a pharmacist or GP might suggest:

• Steroid nasal sprays to reduce swelling
• Antihistamines if allergies are causing problems

Antibiotics are rarely needed because sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, not bacteria.

In some cases, you might be referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist for further treatment.

Remember, most cases of sinusitis get better on their own with rest and simple home treatments.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.