Sinus infections can be a real pain. Not only do they make you feel like you have an elephant sitting inside of your nose, but your head usually pounds from sinus pressure, thus causing sinus migraines. When you find yourself with facial pain, stuffiness, and mucus that just will not stop, you should seek treatment quickly.
Many times, patients will try various over the counter medicines before heading to the doctor. Decongestants are commonly used for sinus infections and are counted among the best most effective ways to treat sinus infections from home.
How Do Decongestants Work?
Decongestants shrink or narrow the blood vessels and tissues that have become inflamed due to a virus or bacteria. They alleviate the symptoms caused by the swelling of the lining of the sinus cavities and nasal passageways. You’ll traditionally find oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, or pseudoephedrine in most brands that are available. Decongestant medicines appear in the form of pills, liquids, and nasal sprays.
Some contain pseudoephedrine or other similar compounds and these are typically found behind the pharmacy counter and must be requested in most states. You do not need a prescription to buy these, however they should not be used for longer than 3 days in most cases. Decongestant nasal sprays eventually will stop working as your body becomes dependent on them to alleviate the overproduction of mucus. When your body becomes used to them, your sinus cavities will become even more stuffy than they were with the previous sinus infection when you stop using them.
Symptoms of Sinus Infections
A feeling of heavy pressure, or facial pain is usually top on the list of sinus infection symptoms. Some docs disagree over sinus drainage and the color of the mucus, and incorrectly assess that if you have clear mucus you do not have a sinus infection, or that if you have a colored mucus it could only mean a sinus infection. Neither case is true as yellow or green mucus can also be associated with common cold viruses and clear mucus can cause just as much sinus pain and pressure as any color. The presence of a runny/stuffy nose, headache, facial pain, sinus pressure, fever, teeth pain, ear pressure, and bad breath can all be signs of a sinus infection.
If you want to try a decongestant, there are many on the market that you can try. We should note that decongestants are not suitable for children under the age of 4.
Seek Sinus Infection Treatment from Virtual Doctors
If you have sinus infection symptoms, you can speak to a virtual doctor quickly and easily by using our services. Online doctor visits help you to get quality treatment for your sinus infection, while still enjoying the comforts of being at home, or perhaps work. Get started now and get healthcare on your terms. We are not affiliated with any insurance company, nor owned by any medical management group. Our partner doctors are board certified physicians licensed to practice in your state. They have passed all portions of the United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLEs) and have a valid prescribing DEA license.
In addition to providing quality medical care online for common non-emergency illnesses, SmartDocMD partners with free health clinics in under served communities to offer services and medications. For every online doctor visit we provide, we donate time and money to providing health care to those who lack access.
You can speak to a doctor online about yeast infections, urinary tract infection treatment, pink eye symptoms, a persistent cough or wet cough, and sinus infections.