Sinus congestion can be relieved with both over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home remedies. Learn about the best medicines for sinus congestion and when to see a doctor if your symptoms are severe.
5 medicines that help relieve sinus congestion
- Decongestants: Decongestants help reduce swelling in the nasal passages and ease sinus congestion and pain. Do not take decongestants for more than 3-5 days. Avoid giving them to children without consulting a pediatrician. Examples of decongestants are include:
- Privine (naphazoline)
- Afrin, Dristan, Nostrilla, and Vicks Sinus Nasal Spray (oxymetazoline)
- Neo-Synephrine, Sinex, and Rhinall (phenylephrine)
- Sudafed PE (phenylephrine)
- Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines are allergy medications that can help relieve nasal congestion and pressure caused by allergies.
- Steroid nasal sprays: Steroid nasal sprays can help with allergy stuffiness and relieve inflammation in your nasal passages.
- Pain relievers: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen can ease the pain and pressure caused by sinus congestion.
- Medicated ointments: These contain menthol, which can help you breathe better by opening up your airways.
Brand names of some of the best OTC medications for sinus congestion include:
- Benadryl Ultratabs (tablets for congestion allergies)
- Advil (tablet for sinus congestion and headache)
- Afrin No-Drip (nasal spray for severe congestion)
- Sudafed PE (day/night duo sinus pressure tablets)
- Cabinet (nasal decongestant tablets)
- Mucinex Nightshift (a pain reliever and a cough suppressant)
- Little Remedies (decongestant nasal drops for kids)
What home remedies can help relieve sinus congestion?
When your nose is stuffy and congested, you can keep your nasal passages and sinuses moist by:
- Using a humidifier or vaporizer
- Inhaling steam from a hot shower or pot of hot water
- Drinking plenty of fluids to thin out the mucus
- Using a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages from drying out
- Applying a warm, wet towel to your face to help open up your sinuses
- Avoiding chlorinated pools
- Trying a neti pot or nasal irrigator to flush out the sinuses (done under medical supervision)
- Keeping your head elevated when lying down
- Avoiding blowing your nose too forcefully, which can force the mucus into your ears or other parts of the sinuses
- Applying eucalyptus oil to a tissue paper and sleeping next to it or adding it to hot water and inhaling the steam
What causes sinus congestion?
Sinus congestion has many causes, with the most common cause being a virus. In some cases, it can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection.
Other causes of sinus congestion include:
- Cold
- Flu
- Seasonal allergies
- Acute or chronic sinusitis
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated nasal septum
- Allergic rhinitis
What are the symptoms of sinus congestion?
Sinus pain most commonly occurs above the eyebrow, behind the eye, and under the cheekbone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sinus congestion may cause symptoms such as:
- Blocked, stuffy, or runny nose
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Tiredness
- Coughing
- Clear nasal discharge followed by a white or yellow discharge
- Fullness in the ears or earache
- Fever (occasionally)
- Loss of smell
- Mouth breathing
- Bad breath
- Postnasal drip (mucus that drips down the back of the throat)
When to see a doctor for sinus congestion
Sinus congestion usually resolves with over-the-counter medications and home remedies within a week. The CDC recommends consulting a medical professional if you notice the following:
- Temperature higher than 100.4 F
- Fever that lasts more than 3 days
- Worsening symptoms
- Symptoms that persist even after 10 days
- Frequent sinus issues
- Swelling or redness of the skin
- Severe breathing difficulties
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Medically Reviewed on 5/19/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Image
Morgan Griffin. How to Treat Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure. WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-congestion
Sinus Infection. American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/sinus-infection/
Jayne Garrison. 6 Steps to Fight Sinus Problems. WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-tips
Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help? Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/expert-answers/acute-sinusitis/faq-20058562
Morgan Griffin. How to Treat Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure. WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-congestion
Sinus Infection. American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/sinus-infection/
Jayne Garrison. 6 Steps to Fight Sinus Problems. WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-tips
Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help? Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/expert-answers/acute-sinusitis/faq-20058562
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