Top 6 natural remedies for sinus infections

Nasal drops and ginger tea help drain the sinuses naturally.

If you have a stuffy nose and don't give up constantly, you may have a sinus infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this type of infection occurs when fluid accumulates in the sinuses and (usually) air-filled nasal passages. When this happens, the bacteria can grow and thrive. The virus causes most sinus infections and, according to the CDC, does not need to be treated with antibiotics (only valid for bacterial infections). Instead, talk to your doctor about how to relieve symptoms naturally. These are the best home remedies for getting rid of sinus infections. 1. Wait it out

A proven method for treating most viral infections? Please take your time. Most sinus infections caused by the virus resolve spontaneously within 7-10 days, Erica Elsing-Stevens, GP of Spectrum Health West Michigan Primary Care, told LIVESTRONG.com. "Bacterial infections occur in only 0.5 to 2 percent of cases," he adds. You can try to wait for the sinus infection to pass and see a doctor if the condition does not improve within a week. The CDC calls this approach "alert wait" and recommends it to parents of children with sinus infections. "It's widespread to manage sinus infections yourself with symptom management," says Dr. Elsing-Stevens. About managing symptoms: Read the best way to deal with sinus congestion. 2. Continue hydration

You can't get rid of sinus infections within 24 hours, but you can relieve symptoms all day long.

"The first thing you can do is keep hydrated, which means you have to drink plenty of water," he says. Elsing-Stevens. She recommends drinking water at least every few hours to wake up to clean the sinuses. According to St. The Luke's Health System drinks more water to dilute the mucous membranes and allow them to drain more quickly through the sinuses. As a rule of thumb, you should drink half your weight in grams every day, but you may want to gain a little if you are overweight. 3. Avoid triggers

According to the CDC, certain risk factors can make you more susceptible to sinus infections. These include:

From smoke

Exposed to indirect smoking

Seasonal allergies

Previous infection

To reduce the risk of developing sinus infections, or to manage symptoms and eliminate sinus infections, you need to do the following:

4. Try nasal irrigation

You may have heard that the sinus lavage mixture should contain salt and baking soda, but it is best to use only sterile water. You can physically flush the sinuses with a product like Netipot, and it cleans the physical mucus that causes discomfort and helps kill the bacteria hanging in the sinuses. The lavage cavity physically irrigates the sinuses with distilled or sterile water. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Neti pots are a safe and effective way to treat sinus infections, but only if used correctly and with the right ingredients. Each product may vary slightly, so you should follow the instructions that came with your Neti pot. However, the most important rule to remember is not to use tap water in the net pot. According to the FDA, only the following types of water should be used when performing homemade sinus irrigation on a net pot:

Purchased sterile or distilled water so marked

Boiled cooling water: Water should be boiled for 3-5 minutes before cooling. This type of water can be stored in a clean, airtight container for up to 24 hours.

Water is filtered with a special filter for infectious microorganisms. Finally, clean the appliance thoroughly after each use. 5. Use nasal drops

According to the FDA, nasal drops help hydrate dry nasal passages, but they are ineffective as nasal irrigation devices. However, you can still open the nasal passages to relieve nasal congestion and make it easier to drain the sinuses, says Dr. Elsing-Stevens. You can get nasal drops at the counter or by nasal drops ($ 11.95, Amazon.com) that can be filled with your own distilled or sterile water. 6. Find ginger

Ginger is one of the best foods to cleanse the sinuses.

No food can cure sinus infections. However, he says that eating antibacterial foods and herbs such as garlic, ginger, and onions can help fight infections. Elsing-Stevens. Ginger is beneficial when sinus infections are the result of allergies. According to an April 2020 study by BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, a daily dose of 500 milligrams of the ginger extract was as effective as taking it.