How to treat sinus pressure and allergies at home

Sinus pressure is the result of your nasal membranes becoming irritated, swollen and inflamed, usually due to a cold, allergy or sinus infection. In these instances, the membranes produce more mucous than normal – a protective mechanism of the nose, to flush out the allergen or irritant. “Mucous build-up leads to increased pressure, causing pain, especially around the eyes, nose, cheekbones and inside the forehead,” explains says Cape Town-based allergologist Dr Pieter de Waal. 

There are things you can do to help relieve this at home:

• Painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and paracetamol cannot clear up congestion, but they can help ease the discomfort of pain due to an increase in sinus pressure. 

• Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants can ease the stuffiness inside the nose. However, do not use oral decongestants for longer than five days without checking with your healthcare professional, says Dr De Waal – some can have a rebound effect and make congestion worse. In some instance, this medicine may also have serious immediate side effects, including an elevated heartbeat.

• OTC antihistamines can help ease symptoms if your sinus pressure is the result of an allergy, but some non-prescription antihistamines can cause drowsiness – check first with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. “Ask for a non-sedating (also called ‘second-generation’) antihistamine with the least tendency to cause drowsiness and poor concentration,” says Dr De Waal.

• Intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays are extremely helpful in reducing all symptoms caused by nasal allergies, including running nose, sneezing, itching and blockage, he says.

• Drinking plenty of fluids to stay well-hydrated can help thin out mucus and lessen nasal congestion.

• Nasal saline sprays can help prevent nasal passages drying out and is safe to use long term, even for young children. “They can be used multiple times a day, to assist in flushing the nasal passages and wash off the allergens from the inner lining of the nose,” says Dr De Waal. “Preferably use your saline nasal spray first, then blow your nose, and then spray your intranasal corticosteroid afterwards, in that order.”

• A nasal irrigator, bulb syringe or neti pot (a small pot with a long spout) filled with saline solution may help wash away irritants and allergens that cause inflammation, but it’s important to use only distilled or sterile water and to wash the applicator thoroughly after each use, or you risk introducing an infection. A solution for nasal irrigation is available from pharmacies in little sachets, which are then mixed with boiled, cooled water, says Dr De Waal. Alternatively, a homemade solution can be made by mixing 1 cup boiled cooled-down water, ½ level teaspoon salt and ¼ level teaspoon baking soda.

• Placing a warm, damp wash cloth over your nose and cheeks for a few minutes may help bring momentary relief from discomfort and open nasal passages.

• Ask your doctor before using essential plant oils. Some studies suggest peppermint and eucalyptus may help with sinus inflammation, and many people add a few drops to a steam bath or infuser, but there is little solid research to support this, and alternative products are not subjected to the same testing and monitoring as mainstream medicines.  

Useful as these home measures can be, contact your healthcare provider if sinus pressure lasts longer than 10 days, if you have a fever of 38.5⁰C or higher, or pain or headache that doesn’t improve with OTC medication. If you suspect you have an allergy, contact an allergologist who can run tests to narrow down pollen culprits and advise you on possible allergen immunotherapy. 

For more information, contact the Allergy Foundation South Africa, 081 405 8442, email [email protected] or visit www.allergyfoundation.co.za.

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