Can You Buy Antibiotics To Treat A Sinus Infection Over The Counter
Antibiotics require a prescription. You cannot buy them over the counter and most have specific directions for taking them and some side effects. It is a federal law that all antibiotics require a doctors prescription.
While in the past sinus infections were often treated with antibiotics, we now know that most of these infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Antibiotics are generally needed for only severe, prolonged infections greater than 10-14 days in duration or if you have a high fever.
When To See A Doctor
Remember, acute sinusitis can last for several weeks. Give your body a chance to fight it off, using self-care techniques and getting plenty of rest.
If your symptoms start to improveeven if it seems to take a whilethen let it be. Be patient. Your body is slowly, but surely, doing what it needs to do to fight the infection.
However, if your sinusitis symptoms get worse despite proper self-care if theyre accompanied by high fever, a lot of facial swelling, and green or foul-smelling nasal discharge and if these progressively worsening symptoms persist for longer than 10 days, its time to see your doctor.
In these cases, an antibiotic may be warranted because the infection has gotten out of control.
On a final note, be sure to take probiotic supplements while on antibiotics. While important and often lifesaving, antibiotics have a downsidethey also kill beneficial bacteria along with the pathogenic.
Probiotics help ensure you continue to have friendly bugs in your system. Take your probiotics several hours apart from your antibiotics, as the antibiotics could negate their effects.Take good care.
When To Use Prescribed Antibiotics
Your doctor will not prescribe antibiotics for an infection unless they believe it is absolutely necessary.
While they may have been more freely prescribed in years past, with the awareness of the global health risks of antibiotic resistance, doctors are managing antibacterial prescriptions carefully.
When given, antibiotics are needed to prevent bacterial infection from proliferating and worsening illness in the body, as well as to prevent the spread of the infection to others.
While some conditions might respond to natural antibiotics, others will not and prolonging the time to treatment with an antibiotic may result in serious complications.
If your doctor recommends an antibiotic, its important to take it as prescribed.
Do not start a medication and then stop it in favor of taking a natural alternative.
This can lead to complications and promote the development of bacterial resistance.
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How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection Naturally
Sinus sufferers who want real relief without pharmaceutical side effects have discovered that natural home remedies for sinus infections are safe and highly effective. These solutions target the underlying inflammation, promote natural sinus drainage, and help prevent additional infections.
The safest and most effective natural solutions involve the use of water in the form of liquid, vapor, or mist. Water penetrates the blockage allowing mucus to drain naturally so that the sinuses can begin the healing process. These solutions have the added benefit of helping to reduce the intensity and duration of sinus symptoms and improving quality of life.
Risk Of Unnecessary Antibiotics For Sinus Infections
Taking unnecessary antibiotics for a sinus infection is not only ineffectual, but can actually be harmful to the patient. Risks of taking unneeded antibiotics include:
- Increased chance of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection at a later time
- Destruction of healthy stomach bacteria, which can allow harmful bacteria to grow
- Possible side effects, such as upset stomach, rash, or dizziness
- Allergic reaction
According to studies conducted by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology , 60-70% of patients with sinus infections fully recover without the use of antibiotics. Additional research shows that almost 90% of U.S. adults diagnosed with acute sinusitis are prescribed antibiotics.
This overuse of antibiotics for sinus infections, as well as other conditions, can lead to antibiotic resistance, a state in which bacteria change over time as a reaction to antibiotic treatment, in order to survive and multiply, thus making the antibiotics less effective.
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H2o: A Natural Alternative To Sinus Infection Antibiotics
One of the most powerful solvents on earth is nothing more than pure water. Water is used in many applications as a thinner, cleaner, and diluter. When it comes to a sinus infection, water can be used in much the same way to thin mucus, clean the sinuses, and dilute a blockage, which is one of the major sinus infection vs cold benefits. Getting rid of your sinus infection may involve the use of liquid, mist, or vaporized water.
Treatment For Sinus Infection
Whether you have an acute sinus infection or a chronic infection, a number of treatment options can relieve your discomfort. If youre in the early stage of an acute sinus infection, it may be appropriate to start at-home treatments while you monitor your symptoms. If your sinusitis worsens, youll need to call your doctor for medication and further care. Even if youre receiving treatment from your doctor, at-home care can help ease your symptoms.
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Which Common Infections Require Antibiotics
Patients often ask doctors for antibiotics, not knowing whether antibiotics actually treat those conditions. And doctors tend to over-prescribe antibiotics for conditions that dont always require them. Below, well talk about some common infections and what you should know about treating them.
Colds and flu
Colds and the flu are caused by viruses, so antibiotics wont help. Instead, youll want to focus on managing your symptoms. If you have the flu, your doctor may recommend an antiviral medication like .
If your cold or flu lasts for 2 weeks or more, you may be more likely to develop a bacterial sinus infection or pneumonia. In these cases, its important to visit the doctor to talk about your symptoms. If they prescribe antibiotics, its because youve developed a bacterial infection on top of your cold or flu.
Sinus infections
Sinus infections occur when fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in your face , allowing germs to grow. Symptoms include pain or pressure in your face, a runny or stuffy nose, headache, and mucus dripping down the back of your throat.
Urinary tract infections
Common antibiotics doctors prescribe for UTIs are , , and .
Sore throat, strep throat, and tonsillitis
Inflammation of your throat or tonsils can cause soreness and pain, and you may or may not need antibiotics to treat it. If your sore throat is caused by a virus , you wont need antibiotics. But when its due to bacteria, as in strep throat and bacterial tonsillitis, you will.
Easy Natural Remedies Help Mucus Flow
In many cases, sinushome remedies including those things your mother told you to do can effectively improve inflamed sinuses, says Anthony Del Signore, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City.
These treatments sooth irritated passageways and increase the flow of mucus so you dont feel so stuffed up, he explains.
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What Is The Best Medicine For A Sinus Infection
Most of the time, sinus infections will clear up within 7-10 days with rest, fluids, and some simple over the counter and home remedies. If your sinus infection lasts longer than a week, you should speak to a doctor. Here are some of the best medicines for a sinus infection:
Nasal decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline may relieve symptoms, but you should not use them any longer than three days since you may suffer from rebound effects.
-Over the counter steroid nasal sprays like fluticasone or triamcinolone can relieve your symptoms, and they do not have a risk of rebound effects.
-Saline nasal irrigation or a Neti Pot can help flush mucus from your sinus cavities, which can help reduce your symptoms. It is important to note that you should use filtered or boiled water tap water can cause problems.
-Antihistamines and decongestants are easily found over the counter and can help alleviate sinus pressure and sinus headaches. Some examples may include Sudafed, Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin.
Mucus thinners can make the mucus easier to remove, and less mucus may mean less sinus pressure. Mucous thinning medication includes Mucinex, or Guaifenesin.
-Over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve sinus headaches.
Do you have a sinus infection that has lasted more than a few days? If it is time to explore antibiotics, book an appointment with an online doctor.
Will Sinus Infection Clear On Its Own
Sinusitis often develops after a cold or viral infection. Most sinus infections improve on their own, but sometimes they develop into a bacterial infection swelling, inflammation, and mucus production caused by the cold can lead to blockage in the nasal passages, which may encourage the growth of bacteria.
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Naturally My Cold Progressed Into A Sinus Infection And I Had A Decision To Make I Could Go Down To The Clinic And Get An Antibiotic Or I Could Try To Treat It Naturally
After doing some more research, I found that most sinus infections are viral and will actually go away without antibiotics, and since I am trying to rebuild my gut health, antibiotics should not be my first choice.
Since we previously lived in a moldy environment, I knew that there was a high chance that this sinus infection was either viral or fungal. That doesnt make it more pleasant to deal with, it simply tells me that getting an antibiotic would likely have no impact on the symptoms.
The symptoms were still brutal: negative pressure in my cheekbones and face, throbbing teeth, and horrible headaches. Ill be honest, as someone who has given birth naturally, twice I may actually prefer that to the facial pain that comes with a sinus infection. Theres just something about the sensitive nerves in your face throbbing with no relief that really does you in.
How To Solve A Sinus Infection That Wont Go Away
Sinus infection is a common problem that can affect any age group. It represents the fifth most common condition that requires an antibiotic prescription.
Sinuses are four paired air-filled spaces in your skull and face bones surrounding your nose. Their main function is to produce mucus that forms a layer inside the sinuses to humidify inhaled air and keep the interior of your nose moisturized. This mucus layer can trap dust particles, other pollutants, or bad germs and brush them out through your nose. Each sinus drains into your nose through small openings to keep these passages clear of excess mucus and the trapped particles.
However, sometimes, such as when the weather changes and you catch a cold, it can turn into a sinus infection. This causes inflammation of your sinuses, known as sinusitis. Usually, sinusitis should go away in a few days or a week. But sometimes that sinus infection can stick around for a long time.
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When Should I See A Doctor
These home remedies for sinus infections are great for acute infections in the upper respiratory system.
But if five days or so pass and youre not seeing any improvement, or if things are getting worse, its probably time to see an ENT doctor.
If you feel a lot more pressure behind your cheekbones and eyes or your nasal drainage has changed to yellow or green-tinged, its likely your sinus cavity has gotten infected from the blockage.
If you have symptoms like a fever, body aches, chills, chest congestion, or a cough, something more serious could be going on. Especially in this era of COVID-19, its a good idea to get checked out just to be safe.
If youve tried these home remedies without luck, contact ENT Associates of Lubbock to see what your next steps should be.
Inhale Diffused Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has a strong odor that often helps patients find instant relief from sinusitis. Research has found that cineole, the main ingredient in eucalyptus oil, helps people recover from sinus infections more quickly than those who dont use eucalyptus oil. You can inhale eucalyptus oil through a diffuser, or rub some on your temples and chest to open your breathing passages. You can even use food-grade eucalyptus oil and place a drop on the roof of your mouth.
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Three Easy Steps To Eliminate Most Sinus Infections Naturally
1. Purchase Tiger Balm analgesic balm, red. Boil a cup of water in the microwave. Take a 1/3 tsp. of tiger balm and place it in the hot water. Close your eyes and breathe in the fumes into the sinuses. In most cases, after a few tries, the sinuses will relax and open. Important note, do not over boil. I would recommend 1 min and 30 seconds and then check the water. Two min max but this can vary with the power of the microwave you are using.
2. Once the sinuses are open, use Neo-Synephrine or another brand of sinus spray and use it to keep the sinuses open. Then rinse the sinuses with ocean or another nasal saline spray to wash away the bad bacteria.
3. After 24 hours of keeping the sinuses open and draining, most infections will go away. This is because the bacteria that cause these infections do not tolerate oxygen. Add oxygen, and the bacteria die.
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Bacteria Causing Food Poisoning
Here are some common symptoms attached when you have bacterial infection related to food poisoning issue.
- Campylobacter jejune is a diarrheal illness that is often accompanied by fever or cramps
- Escherichia coli is another diarrheal illness whose symptoms are fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and nausea.
- Clostridium botulinumis considered as a potentially life-threatening bacterium, which produces powerful neurotoxins.
- Salmonella is often accompanied by fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
- Listeria monocytogenes can cause fever, muscle aches along with diarrhea. Especially, elder people, pregnant women, and infants who often have weak immune system are more likely to suffer from this issue.
- Last but not list, vibrio is attached with diarrhea. Sometimes, when bacteria exposed to an open wound, they can cause severe skin infection, which will be a big problem if you do not have a proper treatment in time.
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Essential Oils For Sinus Infection
There are many essential oils that have antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties, including:
- Eucalyptus oil
- Thyme oil
- Rosemary oil
Combining a few drops from different oils may be the best route to obtain maximum benefit from their different properties. Components of eucalyptus oil help to clear the air as well as break up mucus, while oregano oil is a potent antibacterial and antifungal oil. Eucalyptus is commonly found in cough drops and other medicines, but using it as an essential oil will yield a pure and more concentrated dose. There are a few ways to reap the benefits of these oils when you have a sinus infection.
- Steaming add a few drops to a pot of boiled water and hold your face over the steam.
- Sinus irrigation add a few drops to your neti pot solution for sinus irrigation.
- Homemade vapor rub or massage oil combining a few drops of essential oil with a base oil such as coconut oil or olive oil will yield a mixture that you can massage onto your throat to soothe and break up congestion.
- Oral consumption put one drop of food grade essential oil on the roof of your mouth. Careful not to consume much more than this, as essential oils are highly concentrated.
Can I Treat Chronic Sinus Infections Without Antibiotics
Regardless of the type of sinusitis you have, there are a number of treatments that can help. The key to finding relief is to figure out whats really causing the underlying problem thats causing your sinusitis.
Your doctor may recommend any of the following treatments to help relieve your symptoms:
- Saline nasal irrigation: This treatment involves spraying or pouring a saline solution into one nostril. The solution washes out mucus as it moves from one nostril to the other.
- Nasal corticosteroids: These sprays help reduce the swelling and mucus associated with chronic sinusitis. They can also be used to help prevent nasal polyps from growing back after theyve been surgically removed.
- Oral or injected corticosteroids: Similar to nasal corticosteroids, these are used to relieve inflammation, especially if you also have nasal polyps.
- These medications are available as over-the-counter and prescription medications in various forms. They help lessen the leaking of fluid into your nasal tissues and help your nasal passages feel more open.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve facial pain.
Antibiotics are only sometimes necessary for sinusitis if you have a bacterial infection.
If chronic sinusitis keeps coming back, surgery is occasionally the best treatment option. A surgeon can remove blockages and enlarge the sinus passages, making it easy for fluid to properly drain.
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When Should I Ask My Doctor About A Sinus Infection
As with any other medical condition, it is imperative that you see a doctor if certain worrisome symptoms begin to appear. This is especially true during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the first hint of sinus pain may not be a reason to head to the doctor, if you have been exposed to others who have tested positive or may be infected with the coronavirus, you should get tested if you begin feeling poorly. Similarly, a bit of nasal decongestion may not be cause for concern, but if you begin experiencing severe shortness of breath, get medical help immediately.
One of the reasons many people do not seek medical attention when they should is uncertainty about when they can get an appointment with their healthcare provider. At TrustCare, our many walk-in clinics are open every day of the week to make sure you can get the care you need without the hassle of making an appointment. If you are experiencing symptoms that seem like more than a bit of nasal congestion, visit one of our TrustCare locations today.
In the United States, sinusitis is the fifth most common medical diagnosis for which antibiotics are prescribed these days. The management of acute and chronic sinusitis is also costing this country over $11 billion every year. That doesnt even include the economic impact of lost work time due to illness.
