Nasal infections are no fun. They usually cause pain, pressure, discomfort, and general fatigue, making you feel lousy overall. You’ll probably want relief as quickly as possible if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Luckily, most of the recommended treatments for nasal infections can be done right in your own home. Flushing out your sinuses, supporting your immune system, and taking steps to avoid pain are all treatments that doctors suggest to heal the infection. If these home treatments don’t work after 10 days, then call your doctor for an appointment. You may need a quick round of antibiotics to knock the infection out. [1] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Steps
Clearing Out Your Nasal Passage
Nasal infections usually start because mucous and bacteria get trapped in your sinuses. This is why rinsing out your nasal passages is one of the most common and effective treatments for sinus pressure and infections. A daily rinse can flush out mucous and bacteria, relieving your pain and eventually helping the infection clear up. It’ easy to flush your sinuses and there are a few different methods. Try a few and see which ones work best for you.
-
Inhale steam to loosen mucous. For a simple steam treatment, fill a bowl or pot with hot water. Then place your face over the bowl and drape a towel over your head. Inhale deeply to bring the steam into your sinuses.
- You can repeat this treatment 2-4 times per day while your symptoms last.
- You could also take a hot shower or bath and inhale deeply. This has a similar effect.
-
Rinse your sinuses with saline spray. Get a plain saline nasal spray from the pharmacy. Then hold your head over a sink and spray it into your top nostril, letting the saline flow out the opposite nostril. Repeat this 3-4 times per day. [2] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- You could also make your own saline solution by mixing 1/2 tsp (2,300 mg) of salt, 1/2 tsp (2,300 mg) of baking soda, and 2 cups (470 ml) of lukewarm water. [3] X Research source
Advertisement -
Flush your nasal cavity with a neti pot . This pot looks like a small teapot and provides a comprehensive nasal flush. Tilt your head to the side over a sink and pour saline solution into your top nostril. Let the solution flow out of your bottom nostril. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceAdvertisement
Overcoming the Infection
While flushing out your sinuses is the main way to treat nasal infection, it isn’t the only method. A few more tips and tricks can help your body fight off the infection naturally. In fact, even if you see a doctor, they will probably recommend the following ways to help clear the infection. Try them all to support your body and strengthen your immunity.
-
Rest so your body can fight off the infection. Your body can fight off the infection by itself, but it needs adequate rest to that. Do your best to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night and take it easy during the day while your symptoms last. [5] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If you can, take a day or two off from work or school to rest up.
-
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. When you’re well-hydrated, mucous stays loose and drains easier. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to keep yourself hydrated. [6] X Research source
-
Sleep with your head elevated so mucous doesn’t pool. If the mucous flows backward and pools, the infection could get worse. Put an extra pillow under your head at night to keep your head tiled forward. [7] X Research source
-
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system strong. The vitamins and minerals in these foods will help your body fight off the infection on its own. [8] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Following a good diet can also prevent future infections, so consider making some permanent changes if you don’t always eat the healthiest meals.
Advertisement
Reliving Pain and Discomfort
Clogged sinuses are a real drain. Until your infection clears up, you’ll probably experience pressure and pain in your head and face. Luckily, there are a few natural home remedies you can use to make yourself more comfortable while you recover. If these don’t work, then taking a daily pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen is the most effective way to treat the pain.
-
Press a warm compress onto your face to relieve pain. Either soak a washcloth in warm water or use a heating pad. Hold the compress onto your face for 15-20 minutes at a time to soothe your sinuses. [9] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Sinus pain is most common between your eyebrows and sometimes on your cheeks. Focus the compress wherever you feel the pain.
-
Use a humidifier to moisten the air in your home. Dry air can irritate your nasal passage and make the pain worse, so running a humidifier can make you more comfortable until the infection clears up. [10] X Research source
- If you regularly suffer from sinus infections, then running a humidifier all the time can help prevent future ones as well.
-
Blow your nose gently to prevent pain. While your stuffy nose will definitely be annoying, try not to force the mucous out. Blow your nose gently to prevent pain and nosebleeds. [11] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
-
Avoid bending forward with your head down. This will increase the pressure in your sinuses. Instead, bend at the knee and keep your head up if you need to reach something below you. [12] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to sourceAdvertisement
Unverified Herbal Remedies
The following treatments are common home remedies for nasal infections, but there isn’t a lot of science demonstrating their effectiveness. They might help you feel better, or they might not make any noticeable difference. If you’d like to try them, then there shouldn’t be any harm in that. Just check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements to make sure they’re safe for you.
-
Drink tea to reduce inflammation. There is some evidence that green, black, chamomile, and ginger teas have anti-inflammatory properties. Having 3-5 cups per day might reduce the inflammation in your nose. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- If you also have a sore throat, then adding some honey and lemon to the tea will help soothe it.
-
Eat fresh pineapple. Pineapples have an enzyme called bromelain, which could fight inflammation and pain. Snacking on some fresh pineapples could help you feel better. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Even if pineapple doesn’t directly treat the infection, it has plenty of vitamins and nutrients that will help your body’s immune system.
-
Try elderberry extract. This herb has been a home remedy for colds and the flu for hundreds of years. It comes in tablet form, but also powders and teas. [15] X Research source
- Do not give elderberry to children younger than 12 unless your pediatrician says it’s safe.
-
Take gentian root. There is also some evidence that this herb can relieve sinus infections. It usually comes in an oil that you can take orally or mix with tea. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceAdvertisement
Medical Takeaways
If you want a natural way to treat nasal infections without medication, then you’re in luck. Most of the treatments that doctors recommend are entirely natural and easy to do at home. With the right methods, you can help your infection clear up within a week. These treatments aren’t guaranteed, however, so be sure to see your doctor if the infection doesn’t improve within 10 days. In this case, your doctor can prescribe a round of antibiotics to cure the infection. Either way, you should be good as new once the infection clears up.
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw67090
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-are-neti-pots-and-do-they-work
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/natural_home_remedies_sinus_infections_sinusitis/article.htm
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/natural_home_remedies_sinus_infections_sinusitis/article.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://www.medicinenet.com/natural_home_remedies_sinus_infections_sinusitis/article.htm
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3401676/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3287010
- ↑ http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=002880
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21858267
About this article
Reader Success Stories
- "All of these tips helped to some degree. I appreciate the non-medicinal approach to clearing a very congested head and nose.Thank you for all of the fast and efficient tips that produce immediate results." ..." more
