Sinusitis

Sinuses are small air-filled cavities or sacs located throughout the body. The most commonly known Sinuses are those that are located in the skull, near the nose. There are four paired cavities which are connected by narrow passages. These cavities are located between the eyes and behind the forehead, nose, and cheekbones.

Sinusitis or sinus infection is a medical term used to describe the inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses and is usually caused by an infection or irritants like allergens.

Sinusitis is fairly common and most cases usually resolve within 2-3 weeks and don’t require any treatment.

What are the causes of Sinusitis?

Sinusitis can be caused by:

Infections

Most adults will get colds or upper respiratory tract infections up to three times a year. Both viral and bacterial infections cause swelling of the tissues inside the nose and thickening of the normal mucus. This slows down or even stops proper sinus drainage and infection in the sinus may ensue.

Irritants

Air pollution, smoke and chemical irritants, for example, some sprays containing pesticides, disinfectants and household detergents, may cause swelling and blockage of the lining of the nose causing a narrowing of the drainage opening from the sinuses. This can once again lead to impairment of sinus drainage and consequent infection.

Allergies

Allergies can cause inflammation inside the nose. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include nasal stuffiness, runny nose, sneezing and itchy watery eyes. Allergies are responsible for asthma in some patients and may also cause nasal stuffiness making the asthma more difficult to control.

Structural problems

Occasionally structural problems within the nasal cavity can cause a narrowing. Some of these can as a result of trauma while others may develop during the growth period. Occasionally the structural narrowing can be so severe that mucus builds up behind these areas of blockage giving rise to sinus infection.

What are the symptoms of Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is characterised by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Runny nose with thick yellow or green mucus
• Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down your throat)
• Blocked or stuffy nose
• Pressure around your nose, eyes and forehead, which gets worse when you move your head around or bend over
• Pressure or pain in your teeth
• Pressure or pain in your ears
• High temperature (Fever)
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Cough
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Sounding nasal when speaking

Is Sinusitis contagious?

Sinusitis itself is not contagious. However, the viruses and bacteria that can cause it are. Always follow good handwashing and personal hygiene practices.

When to get advice from a GP

You should contact your GP if you suspect you have Sinusitis and you have:

• Had four or more annual episodes without persistent symptoms in the
• intervening periods
• symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks (indicates possible Chronic Sinusitis)
• An anatomic defect(s) causing nasal obstruction
• Nasal polyps

Check if you qualify for FREE treatment with NHS Pharmacy First, without seeing your GP

You can check your eligibility to use the NHS Pharmacy First service if you suspect you have Sinusitis and you:

• Are 18 years or over

The NHS Pharmacy First service may be suitable if you have:

• Nasal blockage (obstruction/congestion) OR
• Nasal discharge (anterior/posterior nasal drip)

AND ONE or more of the following:

• Facial pain/pressure (or headache) OR
• Reduction (or loss) of the sense of smell (in adults) OR
• altered speech indicating nasal obstruction, and tenderness, swelling or redness over the cheekbone or periorbital areas
• Symptoms that have been present for 10 days or more with little improvement

The NHS Pharmacy First service is available to all NowPatient users who are registered with the NHS in England. If you are exempt from paying for your prescriptions, the service and the treatments are provided free of charge. If you are not exempt from paying prescription charges, treatments are provided at the prevailing NHS prescription charge rate. There is no charge for consultations.

What NHS Pharmacy First treatments are available for Sinusitis?

If your Sinusitis symptoms persist for more than 10 days and you do not have a weakened immune system due to a particular health condition or medication that suppresses your immune system, then you may qualify to be treated under the NHS Pharmacy First service.

If the Pharmacy First clinician suspects that your Sinusitis needs treatment, then they may prescribe the following medications:

• Steroid nasal sprays or drops to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
• Antibiotics. However, this is not common as sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, not bacteria

Mild Sinusitis can be treated without seeing a GP by:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Taking analgesia like paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under 16)
• Avoiding triggers like certain allergens
• Avoid smoking
• Cleaning your nose with a saltwater solution
• Using over-the-counter remedies like decongestant nasal sprays or drops that can unblock your nose
• Using antihistamines, if the cause of your Sinusitis is an allergy

To clean your nose with a saltwater solution, use the following method:

1. Boil a pint of water
2. Let the water cool
3. Mix 1 teaspoon of table salt with 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.
4. Now wash your hands
5. While standing over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and our a small amount of the solution you made, into it
6. Sniff the water into one nostril. Then breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Avoid letting the water trickle to the back of your throat
7. Repeat the steps above, 3 times a day until your symptoms are more comfortable

If your Sinusitis does not resolve, you should contact your GP who may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist if you:

• Still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
• Keep getting sinusitis
• Only have symptoms on 1 side of your face

Sources

• NHS – Sinusitis condition
• Cleveland Clinic – Sinusitis
• Newcastle hospitals – Sinusitis