What is the best medicine for sinus infection?

Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a commonly prescribed medicine for acute sinus infections. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is often prescribed for a bacterial sinus infection. Depending on the type of antibiotic, they may be taken from 3 to 28 days. It’s important to take antibiotics for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

How can I get rid of a sinus infection without antibiotics?

Home Remedies: Treating acute sinusitis without antibiotics
  1. Inhale warm water vapor. Drape a towel over your head as you breathe in the moist air from a bowl of warm or moderately hot water. …
  2. Apply warm compresses. …
  3. Drink plenty of fluids. …
  4. Use a saline nasal spray. …
  5. Use a neti pot.

Can a sinus infection go away on its own?

Viral sinus infections usually go away on their own within 10 to 14 days. Antibiotics don’t work for viral infections. But there are some things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms: Drink plenty of fluids.

How do I know if I have a sinus infection or Covid?

“COVID-19 causes more of a dry cough, loss of taste and smell, and, typically, more respiratory symptoms,” Melinda said. “Sinusitis causes more discomfort in the face, congestion, nasal drip, and facial pressure.”

Is Benadryl good for sinus infection?

Do not take antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (one brand: Benadryl), loratadine (one brand: Claritin), or cetirizine (one brand: Zyrtec) for sinus symptoms because they make mucus thicker and harder to drain. Do not use a nasal spray with a decongestant in it for more than three days.

Does mucinex work for sinus infection?

Experts recommend analgesics including acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin to ease pain, as well as decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) to alleviate the pressure of congestion. Many people find relief using mucolytics like guaifenesin (Mucinex), which thin and clear mucus.

What gets rid of sinus pressure?

Home Treatments
  1. Use a humidifier or vaporizer.
  2. Take long showers or breathe in steam from a pot of warm (but not too hot) water.
  3. Drink lots of fluids. …
  4. Use a nasal saline spray. …
  5. Try a Neti pot, nasal irrigator, or bulb syringe. …
  6. Place a warm, wet towel on your face. …
  7. Prop yourself up. …
  8. Avoid chlorinated pools.

Does Tylenol help with sinus pressure?

TYLENOL® Sinus Pressure and Pain provides Fast relief of your worst symptoms, including sinus-related pain, congestion, and headache, so you can breathe easier.

Does Flonase help sinus infection?

Treating a sinus infection means unblocking and draining the sinuses. Corticosteroid nasal sprays such as Flonase and Nasacort are the best source for treatment because they help reduce swelling in the nasal passages.

Does Zyrtec help sinus infection?

Along the same lines as OTC options, antihistamine medications, such as Sudafed, Claritin, Zyrtec or Benadryl, can also offer sinus infection symptom relief. While these medications specifically target allergy symptoms, sinus infection symptoms can be similar, making antihistamines worth a try.

What is better for a sinus infection Sudafed or mucinex?

Sudafed has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for nasal congestion. Mucinex has been shown to be safe and effective in treating chest congestion.

Does Claritin help with sinus pressure?

The nasal decongestant in Claritin-D® reduces swelling of nasal passages and temporarily restores nasal airflow through the nose. Claritin-D® temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, or other upper respiratory allergies and also relieves sinus congestion and pressure due to allergies.

When should I go to the doctor for a sinus infection?

See a doctor if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after initially improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without improvement.

Can Flonase make sinuses worse?

Over the counter nasal sprays work great in alleviating sinus infection pressure in the short term, but can have lasting effects if not properly used. The main chemical in nasal spray can cause your sinus infection to get worse!

Can Sudafed make sinus infection worse?

Their concentrated mist are good at breaking up mucus and helping it flow, allowing you to breathe easier in an instant. But don’t use decongestants for longer or more often than what’s recommended — overusing decongestant nasal sprays can actually lead to rebound congestion and make your symptoms worse.

What are the stages of a sinus infection?

Types
  • Acute sinusitis usually starts with cold-like symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2 to 4 weeks.
  • Subacute sinusitus usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
  • Chronic sinusitus symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
  • Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.

How do I know if I have a bacterial sinus infection?

Pressure or pain around the nose, in the forehead, in the cheeks or around the eyes. The pain often gets worse if the affected person bends forward. Discolored, thick nasal discharge. Decreased sense of smell and ability to taste.

What virus causes sinus infection?

Most sinus infections are viral, and only a small proportion develops a secondary bacterial infection. Rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, and parainfluenza viruses are the most common causes of sinusitis.

How does a sinus infection feel?

The symptoms of sinus infection include: pain or pressure in the sinuses, on the forehead, between the eyes, on the sides of the nose, or at the upper jaw. headache. runny or stuffy nose.

How can I treat sinusitis at home?

Home Remedies
  1. Use warm heat. Put a warm, wet towel on your face. …
  2. Try a nasal saline solution. While they don’t contain medicine (saline is salt water), they can help keep your nasal passages moist.
  3. Flush out your sinuses. …
  4. Drink lots of fluids. …
  5. Rest.