Sinus Infection: Symptoms, Fast Relief, and Treatment

Feeling pressure in your forehead, a clogged nose, or thick green mucus? Those are classic signs of a sinus infection (sinusitis). It’s common, annoying, and usually not dangerous — but knowing what helps fast and when to get medical care will save you time and pain. Read this if you want clear steps you can try at home and a no-nonsense checklist for when to call a doctor.

What a sinus infection looks like

Most sinus infections start after a cold or with uncontrolled allergies. Symptoms you’ll notice: facial pressure or pain (especially when bending forward), nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell, thick yellow or green discharge, and sometimes a low fever or bad breath. If symptoms improve within a week, it was probably viral. If they worsen after 5–7 days or last more than 10 days, bacterial sinusitis becomes more likely.

Quick home fixes that actually help

Nasal irrigation with a saline rinse eases congestion and clears mucus — use a neti pot or squeeze bottle with sterile or boiled-cooled water. Steam inhalation or a hot shower loosens crusts and reduces pressure. Stay hydrated and sleep with your head slightly elevated to drain sinuses. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen ease pain; a short course of oral decongestants can help adults, but avoid long-term use and don’t give them to young children without advice.

Use a humidifier to keep air moist, especially in winter. If allergies trigger your sinus problems, start a daily antihistamine or nasal steroid spray early — they reduce inflammation and prevent repeated infections. Avoid smoking and strong irritants; they make sinus lining swell and extend recovery time.

Expect viral sinusitis to improve within 7–10 days. If you’ve tried the home measures above and symptoms remain severe or worsen, it’s time to see a clinician.

When to see a doctor and treatment options

See a doctor right away if you have a high fever, swelling or redness around the eyes, severe headache with neck stiffness, sudden vision changes, or very bad facial swelling. For persistent or worsening symptoms after a week, a clinician may recommend antibiotics — but not every sinus infection needs them. Doctors decide based on symptom pattern and severity.

Other professional options include prescription nasal steroid sprays, short steroid bursts for severe inflammation, or referral to an ENT specialist for chronic or recurrent cases. If you have repeated infections, imaging or allergy testing might identify the cause so you can fix it rather than treat it repeatedly.

Simple prevention helps: control allergies, stay hydrated, avoid cigarette smoke, and use a humidifier in dry months. If sinus problems keep coming back, ask your doctor about longer-term plans — sometimes small changes stop the cycle for good.

Want specific product tips or a quick checklist to show your doctor? Browse our related articles for drug guidance, treatment alternatives, and safe online pharmacy tips tailored to sinus care.