Anyone have any at home remedies for sinus infections?

[closet astronaut]

Well, the simple non-pharmaceutical thing you might try is a Neti pot. I use one to great effect when I have sinus congestion. It's amazing how effective it is.

And if amoebas have eaten my brain I have yet to notice. Wouldn't that make me stup... wouldn't that make me stu... wouldn't...

UH OH

:rofl:

Deffinantly..neti pot, used one for years with warm water and a couple of drops of oregano oil.

 

[Green Jello]

Everyone I know swears by Neti Pots, but I can't for the life of me get mine to work. I think my sinuses aren't connected or something.

 

[cruzsergio]

Heres an Abuela remedy gargle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
For coughs make tea out of fresh Spanish Oregano or oregano español in spanish (its the thick leave one) add sugar and drink it the warmest you can that
too cures coughing.

 

[luke strawwalker]

Heres an Abuela remedy gargle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
For coughs make tea out of fresh Spanish Oregano or oregano español in spanish (its the thick leave one) add sugar and drink it the warmest you can that
too cures coughing.

For sore throat, nothing works better than sucking on Ice Cream maker Rock Salt...

Chicken Bouillon cubes work well too-- highly tasty as well...

Later! OL JR

 

[gdiscenza]

I've tried all types of "sinus irrigation" gizmos, from the squirt fountain type to the bend like Gumby neti pot, and they all cause me panic attacks because the sensation is waaaaaaaay too close to the near-drowning experience I had when I was a kid.

Luckily, like I posted earlier, the tonsillectomy has eradicated my sinus infections.

G.D.

 

[JohnNGA]

You can always do the old "Vicks VapoRub Hitler mustache" thing my Grandma used to do to us kids when we were sick... LOL

Makes your upper lip tingle though...

Later! OL JR

Yep, remember that, also all over chest covered with warm(hot) towel.

 

[soxfan121]

I've had two HORRIBLE sinus infections in the past two years, (both during mid winter in chicago) and i felt like i wanted to die. Both started off like any normal cold, stuffy nose and maybe a small ear ache, then that progressed to no breathing through nose and sharp pain in the right ear, then slowly started to sound muffled, then it got worse and worse until about a week from the start i could barely hear out of either ear and had hellish pain in both as well. went to the doctor and he prescribed moxillin (antibiotic) and it was gone within the week. moral of the story, maybe it is good to spend the cash on the antibiotics.

 

[GDJ]

You wanna clean out your nasal passages and get things going?

I have only one thing to say:

WASABE!!



It's the Japanese green horseradish. It will make your eyes water, your nose drain like Niagara Falls, and in 10 minutes you'll breathe easier and it tends to last for a couple of days.

 

[Fuse Eh!]

Spicy ethnic foods (Mexican, Indian, Chinese, etc.) with hot peppers as a base seem to help. If a plate of fiery Szechuan noodles doesn't get things flowing a little better, it's probably time to visit the doc.

 

[Dork_Vader]

I drink a ton of water 1.5 liters a day or more plus other fluids juices and what not.

Yes I had my tonsils removed when I was 18 and it did help. When I had them in my sinuses would get so clogged up that I couldn't open my eyes.

I've yet to see an ENT but I do have a friend that is one. I think I'm going to bring the MRI/CT scan and have him look at it.

I live in and area with some of the worst air quality in the world (aside from china). I also smoke which doesn't help.

I only go to the doctor with the symptoms last more then a month.

Fungus could have been/be te issue I had a mold/fungs problem in my home but I have that taken care of.

I basically just deal with the sinus pressure until it becomes to much of a problem. But I'll try some of the suggestions aside from the saline. I'm a germaphobe and the articles about the amoeba have me paranoid.

 

[troj]

Do you take Sudafed? If not, when you start to feel pressure, it would probably help.

Make sure it's the real stuff (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride), not Sudafed PE (phenylepherine hydrochloride).

I used to get a sinus infection just about every year. Now that I keep Sudafed around, and use it as necessary, I haven't had one in years.

On the Sudafed, buy generic -- it's much cheaper. In most (if not all) states, you have to buy the good stuff from behind the pharmacy counter, as it's used to make meth.

-Kevin

 

[Sandy H.]

What has worked for me is to #1 stop rubbing my eyes, ears and nose. Someone told me that most colds start through the eyes or ears. Don't know if its true or not, but in general I don't touch my face unless I've recently washed my hands.

When I get a tickle in the back of my throat or sneeze for no good reason, I put hydrogen peroxide (50/50 with warm water) in each ear for about 5 minutes. I then do a shot of apple cider vinegar (or a glass mixed with cold water to cut the taste). Both tend to open my sinuses up and the sickness never comes. Neither one works if I actually do get sick, so catch it first. Also, with the apple cider vinegar (unfiltered organic tastes better than other stuff by far), be careful if you do it near bed time, as it is a heartburn nightmare for me at least. Maybe its all hokum, but I used to get sick once a year at least and its been twice in 8 years total since I started the above.

Last thing, as this is a personal pet peeve: If you're sick, stay the **** away from other people. I know your job is the most important thing in the world and if you miss even 5 minutes, the axis of the Earth will change and humanity as we know it will instantly cease to exist, but stay home anyway. I can't imagine the number of lost work hours and associated dollars that happen each year because bonehead #1 goes to work sick and gets 3 other boneheads sick, who also don't stay home then get 8 other people sick (some of which may not be boneheads and they actually stay home). After its all said and done, one of the boneheads from group #3 gets bonehead #1 sick again and the cycle starts over. Don't be a bonehead.

Sandy.

 

[Green Jello]

I very often have colds turn into sinus infections. My doctor said he had the same problem. He started using the prescription nose spray Nasonex every time one starts and that has taken care of the problem. I started trying that 2 years ago and haven't had one since.

 

[Hardline]

You might consider talking to your dentist. Many people discount the connection between gum disease and sinus infections.

here is a link to an article. Just an idea.

https://www.disabled-world.com/health/oral/dental/sinus-infections-dental.php

 

[SAC of MMMSClub]

Did they die with a Mason Jar in their hand?

Sadly yes,

Frank was diabetic and alcoholic, and cigarettes, Gin, and ice were always at hand, he died of septicemia from foot injury common among diabetics.

Nancy died of cancer, she was POed, she was a alcoholic but walked and exercised and ate rite.

Susan, died of brain cancer, She was diabetic and an alcoholic but cheep champagne and cigarettes were her weapons of choice.

All three were accomplished, brilliant, bipolar, and died to soon. But then none of them would have made good 70 year olds.

 

[Sully]

My all-purpose cold remedy:

boil water, add a thumb-sized piece of grated ginger root. Let it simmer a few minutes, and add a couple smashed cloves of garlic and as much cayenne pepper as you can stand. After a few more minutes, remove from heat. Add juice from a lemon, and stir in as much honey as you need to make it taste good to you.

Kind of a non-alcoholic version of the Old Grand-dad remedy.

 

[belfert]

Last thing, as this is a personal pet peeve: If you're sick, stay the **** away from other people. I know your job is the most important thing in the world and if you miss even 5 minutes, the axis of the Earth will change and humanity as we know it will instantly cease to exist, but stay home anyway. I can't imagine the number of lost work hours and associated dollars that happen each year because bonehead #1 goes to work sick and gets 3 other boneheads sick, who also don't stay home then get 8 other people sick (some of which may not be boneheads and they actually stay home). After its all said and done, one of the boneheads from group #3 gets bonehead #1 sick again and the cycle starts over. Don't be a bonehead.

It is unfortunate, but some employers will fire people who stay home when they are sick. If you're making minimum wage with no benefits one can hardly afford to stay home. Some will say one should have savings if you don't have sick days, but how much could you save on minimum wage?

The recent trend of PTO days to replace sick days and vacation days doesn't help matters. Workers will want to work when they are sick to save their PTO days for their vacation. My employer went to PTO days a few years back. Employees had been getting 2 weeks of sick time and up to 5 weeks of vacation plus holidays. The system was changed so employees get between 3 week and 5 weeks of PTO plus holidays. Those with over 20 years lost two weeks of paid time off. We also lost funeral leave. One of our unions is asking for sick days back in their new contract which I doubt they will get.

I will stay home when I am sick. I save at least five of my PTO days in case I get sick. My employer put out a memo this year telling folks to stay home if they got the flu and telling everyone that managers would be sending sick employees home.

 

[sschnege]

They have been shown to be somewhat effective.

They'd be great if they had enough volume and force. When I had repetitive sinus issues -- I called them "fake colds" because I'd be over it in a day -- and saw an ENT, she changed my life with 2x daily saline + steroid rinses using a large syringe like you'd use for epoxy injection. We slowly backed away off the steroids (budesonide), and I've been "fake cold"-free for 2 years now. And the daily (when I'm not being lazy) saline rinse is enough to keep anything else from colonizing.

1L Distilled water + 1TB baking soda + 1TB non-iodized salt == saline

Enjoy.

 

[Viperfixr]

They (i.e. Neti pots) have been shown to be somewhat effective.

As a person who has long suffered from allergies, I can tell you that the Sinus Rinse, whether it be from a Neti Pot or squeeze bottle type, helped me more than any drug, shot or therapy. During allergy season, I'll hit my Sinus Rinse twice a day and it helps A LOT. This link is to the one I use, which is easily found in most any drug store. YMMV.

 

[Welsh Wizard]

I get them frequently and I'm sick of spending hundreds of dollars on antibiotics. They are going to do any MRI/CT scan to look for polyps.

I won't use those saline rinses you can get the brain eating amoeba from those..

Anyone have any cures? Suggestions?

I get them frequently and I'm sick of spending hundreds of dollars on antibiotics. They are going to do any MRI/CT scan to look for polyps.

I won't use those saline rinses you can get the brain eating amoeba from those..

Anyone have any cures? Suggestions?

 

[Welsh Wizard]

The best remedy for sinus and headaches which I suffered for many years is not to drink milk in tea. I have been free from headaches for the past 20 years it works for me and to many others. I drink milk on its own, milk in coffee, and all kinds of cheese without headaches.

 

[jqavins]

The thread is long and I landed on it by accident; sorry if this has all been said before.

I had this several years ago, recurring sinus infections that the doc* was confident were bacterial. Bur "recurring" was thought not be strictly correct; one infection was repeatedly knocked back but not cured.

At the time I had a very young child, recently through the ear infrction stage. Same bacterium in a similar location. When those recur, the pediatrician** swiches from amoxicilin to a double shot, amoxicilin plus another one, together called augentin. (Get it? It's augmented.) I pointed this out to my doctor, who prescribed a course of augmentin, and that did the trick.

I know you said you you didn't want more antibiotics. Maybe one more try with one that's likely to be the last would be worth it?

As for nasal washes, the same doc gave me advice about that, which helped. Get plain, unmedicated salime nasal spray; that stuff is sterile, at least when new. If you over squeeze the bottle, hard, then liquid sprays out in a stream. By the time the bottle is half gone you can't squeeze it enough anymore, and then you buy another and when they're both too low you pop the tops off and combine what' left.

* Well, actually, a nurse pracicioner. She was very good and able to spend more time with you than an MD usually is. And she was really nice, I was truely fond of her. And it doesn't matter in the least: she was hot.

** Okay, the same nurse pracicioner.

 

[Steven]

I used the claw end of a hammer. Was using it to straighten an angle iron support bar when it snagged on the 'safety' trip wire on my machine. Flung it right back into my face. The clawed end missed my eye by less than an inch. Just minutes prior to this, I too was suffering from sinus headaches. Never felt so elated over a little injury as I had at that moment. That was over 10 years ago and not a sign of sinus issues. Still got the scar. I look like a real pirate. What's in YOUR toolbox?

 

[Steven]

You wanna clean out your nasal passages and get things going?

I have only one thing to say:

WASABE!!



It's the Japanese green horseradish. It will make your eyes water, your nose drain like Niagara Falls, and in 10 minutes you'll breathe easier and it tends to last for a couple of days.

"Jackass" comes to mind.

 

[NateB]

For a home remedy, the classic warmed whiskey with honey and lemon works well. Add some herbal tea if the liquor bite is too strong. Of course, this is seriously frowned upon at work. OTC meds like diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine work well for me as well, but I can't take those at work either. Phenylephrine doesn't do much good for me, so I don't buy it.

What does work and doesn't impact work performance is keeping hydrated and spicy foods like horseradish, wasabi, and ghost pepper powder. I also avoid dairy with a cold or sinus infection which tends to increase mucus production.

 

[Jim Hinton]

Hey DV;

I am the veteran of many sinus infections. I am also a Water Treatment Plant Operator, so I know a little bit about Nagleria Fowleri, aka, the brain eating amoeba. First, I must state that daily saline irrigation of my sinuses has made sinus infections a thing of the past for me. Even if one gets started, saline irrigation destroys it in a day or two. Like you, I was quite concerned about Nagleria . The big fear is that we don't look for Nagleria in drinking water. You can ingest Nagleria all day long through drinking, and nothing will happen. It is only a hazard if it enters the nasal passages. Nagleria is quire rare in drinking water systems, primarily because it is extremely susceptible to chlorine. The only drinking water system that I am aware of where nagleria was detected was in New Orleans. That was in a main that was little used and the chlorine had dissipated. That makes the water a playground for a number of pathogens. Most cases of Nagleria (all that I am aware of) were spread in a swimming environment, ponds and lakes. Again, the chlorine in a swimming pool will take care of business.
Nagleria is scary as hell, of course. I take no cahnces even though I know that it has zero chance of surviving the chlorine in the city lines. Just to be safe, I add a couple of drops of Hydrolized silver water to the nasal irrigation. That provides disinfection and anti-biotic effect as well. I am familiar enough with the disease and it's environment to deal with it comfortably. In the end you have to live with the sinus issues, so you have to decide on the degree of risk and effort that you are willing to assume, after all, it isn't safe to get out of bed in the morning.

Jim

 

[jqavins]

Some of us don't have chlorinated water because our water comes from our own wells. One would think, though, that all one needs to do is boil the water for a few minutes before using it for irrigation. Place it in a clean covered saucepan, bring it to a vigorous boil, keep covered and boiling for five or ten minutes still covered, add the correct amount of salt, re-cover, and let cool.

 

[Steven]

Some of us don't have chlorinated water because our water comes from our own wells. One would think, though, that all one needs to do is boil the water for a few minutes before using it for irrigation. Place it in a clean covered saucepan, bring it to a vigorous boil, keep covered and boiling for five or ten minutes still covered, add the correct amount of salt, re-cover, and let cool.

You boil with a lid on?

 

[Rob702Martinez]

Hey DV;

I am the veteran of many sinus infections. I am also a Water Treatment Plant Operator, so I know a little bit about Nagleria Fowleri, aka, the brain eating amoeba. First, I must state that daily saline irrigation of my sinuses has made sinus infections a thing of the past for me. Even if one gets started, saline irrigation destroys it in a day or two. Like you, I was quite concerned about Nagleria . The big fear is that we don't look for Nagleria in drinking water. You can ingest Nagleria all day long through drinking, and nothing will happen. It is only a hazard if it enters the nasal passages. Nagleria is quire rare in drinking water systems, primarily because it is extremely susceptible to chlorine. The only drinking water system that I am aware of where nagleria was detected was in New Orleans. That was in a main that was little used and the chlorine had dissipated. That makes the water a playground for a number of pathogens. Most cases of Nagleria (all that I am aware of) were spread in a swimming environment, ponds and lakes. Again, the chlorine in a swimming pool will take care of business.
Nagleria is scary as hell, of course. I take no cahnces even though I know that it has zero chance of surviving the chlorine in the city lines. Just to be safe, I add a couple of drops of Hydrolized silver water to the nasal irrigation. That provides disinfection and anti-biotic effect as well. I am familiar enough with the disease and it's environment to deal with it comfortably. In the end you have to live with the sinus issues, so you have to decide on the degree of risk and effort that you are willing to assume, after all, it isn't safe to get out of bed in the morning.

Jim

I've been using bottled water for about 10 years in my neli-med, the squeeze version and 2 packs of the saline. Is bottled water a safe option? I think about the nagleri everytime I use mine. Scary stuff.

 

[tsmmiller]

I’ve had sinus problems for years, including two surgeries. (No fun there!)
Mom finally convinced me to use the neti pot. I’ve always disliked the water in sinus feeling so it was a big step.
After three days of two rinses daily the major issues had subsided. Soon after most of the remaining problems had dissipated.
I still have issues and usually with the onset of winter have to bring the pot back out. Three times so far this season. I will say that nothing else seems to work. I just boil a tea pot of water, warm as required before using.