Ashford Clinic Blog
Can I treat sinus pain at home? When should I see an ENT?
Sinus pain can come from any number of sources, including allergies, a cold, the flu, infections, irritants, and even some headaches. Maybe the air is drier than normal, or the barometric pressure has changed suddenly. There are many reasons that your sinuses can cause you pain.
When you're experiencing sinus pain, you obviously want to find relief. Is it necessary to visit an ENT though, or is it possible to treat the issue at home? That depends on other accompanying symptoms, and how long you’ve been experiencing the pain. If your sinus pain is not accompanied by fever, then there are some treatments that you can try at home.
- Take a hot, steamy shower
- Use a saline nasal spray or Neti rinse
- Try a humidifier
- Eat something spicy
- Massaging the areas of your face around your sinuses
- Use a warm compress on your cheeks, eyes, and forehead
- Elevate your head, which will promote sinus drainage
- Sip a warm mug of herbal tea, inhaling the steam between sips
- Try some exercise
- Take an over the counter decongestant or pain reliever, as directed
If you’re experiencing sinus pain without any congestion, then it’s also possible that you’re experiencing a migraine. A combination of congestion and a headache could also be a sinus headache.
So when should you see an ENT for your sinus pain? If you have a headache that just won’t go away, congestion lasting more than two weeks, congestion with fever, an injury to your nose, or over-the-counter medications just aren’t working, then it’s time to see an ENT. At the Ashford Clinic, we will take the time to examine your sinuses, check for infections, and determine a course of treatment to get you feeling like yourself again.
