• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist

    James T. Li, M.D.

    read biography

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Question

Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help?

I have acute sinusitis, and my doctor doesn't think I need antibiotics. Are there any nonprescription medications that can help relieve my symptoms?

Answer

from James T. Li, M.D.

Yes. Over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants may help relieve facial pain and sinus congestion associated with acute sinusitis. Other home remedies you may want to try:

  • Inhale warm water vapor. Drape a towel over your head as you breathe in the moist air from a bowl of warm or moderately hot water. Or take a hot shower, breathing in the warm, moist air.
  • Apply warm compresses. Place warm, damp towels around your nose, cheeks and eyes to ease facial pain.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Consuming additional fluids helps dilute mucous secretions and promotes drainage.
  • Use a saline nasal spray. Spray a saline solution in your nose several times a day to relieve congestion.

Most people with acute sinusitis get better without antibiotics. However, if your symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days, talk to your doctor.

Next question
Oil of oregano: Can it treat sinusitis?
References
  1. Leung RS, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic sinusitis. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:11.
  2. Torpy JM, et al. Acute sinusitis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2009;301:1844.
  3. Symptom relief. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/symptom-relief.html. Accessed Oct. 29, 2009.

AN01230

Dec. 15, 2009

© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger