Dry air outside mixed with furnaces running in the house is typical this time of the year putting more bacteria in the air, which could lead to sinus infections. Dr. Jeffrey Sparks, DO of McDonough District Hospital states most can be treated with over the counter medications, but for those experiencing four or more sinus infections a year it may be time to consult a medical provider:
“Well if you don’t get to many and it is just a once in a while occasion, up to one or two a year on average, then we can treat those with over the counter medications with sinus rinses. Saline in the nose is the first step. If it is an infection and we are getting a lot of pain and pressure with a think drainage, then typically that is treated with antibiotics and that can be either through our office here or the patients’ primary care. If we start getting four or more sinus infections in a year or sinus infection that does not respond to antibiotics, that is when we start talking about different treatment options, including surgical options.”
Dr. Sparks informs that for ones that may experience occasional sinus infections, they can be treated at home with steam, hot showers, sinus rinses, and using clean humidifiers while sleeping.
