How to Treat and Prevent Sinusitis During the Winter

Sinusitis, sometimes called a sinus infection, is a common complaint during the winter months. The sinuses can become irritated and inflamed by colds and allergies, leading to infections of the delicate sinus tissue. Sinus infections can cause pain and pressure that can last for weeks. Managing the symptoms, treating the underlying infection, and preventing future infections can help you feel better when you’re struggling with sinusitis. Learning how to prevent sinusitis during winter can help you stay healthy during the colder months.

What Is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an infection in your sinuses. The sinuses are hollow cavities in the bones of your face. They’re located above your eyebrows, over the cheekbones, and on either side of your nose. They produce mucus that helps warm, humidify, and filter the air that you breathe in through your nose.? If you get a cold or have allergy symptoms, your nasal passages can become swollen. The swelling can block the sinuses, which causes pressure and pain. The pressure draws fluid into the sinuses, creating an environment where bacteria can grow, leading to an infection. Sinusitis can be acute, which means it comes on suddenly and resolves within a few weeks. It can also be chronic, meaning the infection persists for 12 weeks or longer.

Why Is Sinusitis a Problem in the Winter?

Sinus infections aren’t contagious, but the virus that causes them can be. Many people experience sinus problems in winter. In part, this is because winter is when viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID, colds, and flu circulate. Winter is also an allergy season in Texas. Respiratory illnesses, colds, and allergies can cause nasal inflammation and congestion. Sinus congestion and inflammation can easily lead to conditions in which bacteria grow in the sinuses. Environmental conditions in Texas can also contribute to winter sinusitis. Dry indoor air can irritate the nasal passages, leading to inflammation and sinus pressure during winter. Allergies to mold, dust, and cedar pollen are other triggers of sinus problems.

Common Winter Sinus Symptoms to Watch For

It can be hard to tell the difference between seasonal allergies, a cold, and the early symptoms of sinusitis. If symptoms linger beyond a week or 10 days and start getting worse instead of better, a sinus infection might be the culprit. Common symptoms associated with sinusitis include:

• Nasal congestion
• Yellow or green pus draining from the nose
• Headache
• Pressure and pain in the face
• Tenderness over the affected sinus
• Reduced sensitivity to smell
• Bad breath
• A productive cough that gets worse at night
• Swelling around the eyes that may be worse in the morning

How to Avoid Sinus Infections During the Winter

The best way to deal with sinusitis is to prevent it in winter. You can reduce the risk of sinus infections by getting ahead of triggers that lead to sinus inflammation. Try strategies such as:

• Manage allergies: Avoid exposure to allergens and treat allergy symptoms to reduce swelling and irritation in your nasal passages.
• Stay healthy: Prevent colds and flu by washing your hands frequently, getting enough rest, and avoiding crowded gatherings where people around you might be sick. Eating well and getting enough sleep can help boost your immune system during cold and flu season. Talk to your primary care provider about getting flu and COVID vaccines to reduce your risk of contracting those viruses.
• Keep your home clean: Vacuum and dust regularly, and use indoor air purifiers to reduce indoor allergens at home.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to keep nasal passages moist. This can reduce the risk of sinus irritation.
• Lubricate your sinuses: Use a sterile saline mist or a neti pot to gently rinse your nasal passages. This can flush out allergens and bacteria while lubricating the tissue to prevent dry sinuses in winter.
• Cover nose and mouth: Consider wearing a mask in dusty or high-allergen areas. You can also wear a mask in crowded places to reduce your risk of catching a cold or the flu, which can cause winter sinus symptoms.

Treatment Options to Relieve Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinusitis often improves with time and rest. You can manage symptoms such as pain, congestion, and pressure with over-the-counter decongestants, pain relievers, and mucus-thinning medications. Sinus irrigation with saline sprays can help clear congestion and relieve pressure. A humidifier can help you sleep with a stuffy nose and moisturize irritated nasal passages. If you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor before taking medication for sinusitis symptoms. They can tell you what’s safe to take during pregnancy and prescribe a pregnancy-safe antibiotic if needed. You can also use non-medication strategies to relieve symptoms, such as staying hydrated, using a humidifier, and using saline rinses to clear nasal congestion. Warm or cool compresses on your face can ease pain and pressure safely during pregnancy.

Treat Your Winter Sinusitis Symptoms at a Texas Urgent Care Near You.

If your symptoms don’t start to improve within 10 days, or if you have worsening pain, fever, or increasing sinus pressure, you may need antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. You can visit an urgent care center to get help with sinusitis. Healthcare professionals can evaluate your symptoms and rule out other illnesses, such as the flu or COVID-19.  After they diagnose a sinus infection, they can prescribe treatment to manage a sinus infection and the pain and pressure that often accompany it. The skilled staff at Next Level Urgent Care can help with winter sinusitis so you can feel like yourself again. Our 45+ convenient locations in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Beaumont are open seven days per week from 9 AM – 9 PM. We accept walk-in patients or use our app to get in line before you come in. Next Level Urgent Care is here to deliver quality care whenever you and your family need it.