15 Non-prescription tips to deal with Sinus allergies

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Description – Inflammation related to sinus headache and pain may be related to bacterial, fungal or viral infection. Nasal blockage may accompany sinus inflammation.

Sinus inflammation can occur due to common environmental allergens like weed pollen, tree pollen, grass pollen, mold, fungus, animal dander, dust mites and cockroaches etc. When the immune system overreacts to the above allergens then sinus inflammation may occur.

Sinus inflammation can be controlled by oral or nasal medication prescribed by your doctor. Doctor might recommend allergy test and / or prescribe allergy shots. I had taken allergy shots which have helped minimize the severity of allergy attacks.

To avoid sinus infection it is important to take action on the first sign and not try to avoid taking action or if required medication. "A stitch is time will save nine".

15 Non-prescription tips to deal with sinus allergies include the following:

1. Air Conditioning: Limit your exposure to allergens. Turn on the air conditioner to keep indoor air free of outdoor allergens. Turn on the air conditioner when inside the house or inside your car. If you or your kid wants to go or play out for long time during spring or summer then do so for some time only but not for extended hours. When your kid doesn't want to come in then "bribe" him / her with a trip to the library or the mall where the air conditioner is on. Pollen count is usually high during mid morning, early evening and times when wind is blowing more than normal.

2. Air-filter: Keep your air-filter in the stand alone and furnace clean. Use HEPA labeled filter to remove most allergens from the air.

3. Humidifiers / De-humidifier: Low humidity helps virus and high humidity breeds mold. Invest in humidifiers with hygrometer (device to measure humidity). During winter months try to keep the humidity in the house around 45%. Some humidifiers come with a container where you can put Eucalyptus oil for soothing the sinus. During summer month De-humidify the house to reduce growth of mold.

4. Vapor Rub: Vapor rubs or baby rub with eucalyptus oils will help open nasal passage.

5. Nasal blockage: Sometimes nostril/s may get blocked due to allergies. If the blockage is not taken care of in time then this may lead to sinus infection. Dryness in nostrils can be avoided by applying a very light coat of petroleum jelly or lotion.

6. Shower: We have found that taking showers couple hours before bed time and keeping your hair dry helps in reducing the occurrence of allergy attacks. It could be that the body and hair is washed off the allergens and the bed remains clean of allergens for extended period of time. Put Eucalyptus oil in hot shower and inhale the vapor to sooth the sinus. The water vapor in the shower helps loosen the sinus pressure. Train your kids to blow their nose in the shower after they have been in it for some time.

7. Fluids: Encourage yourself and your kids to drink lot of clear fluids through out the day to help get rid of toxins. Keep water in reach so that you and your kids are reminded to drink it. Also try to drink herbal tea with mint, spearmint and honey couple time during the day.

8. Saline Water: Saline water, Neti Pot etc. are easy ways to keep the nasal passage and sinus clean of bacteria. Nasal spray can help remove nasal blockage. Use warm saline water to gargle to keep your mouth clean of food particles which helps in reduce growth of bacteria and hence nasal, sinus and throat infections.

9. Spicy Foods: Spicy foods cooked with ginger, garlic, hot pepper, onions, fenugreek may help thin mucous and relieve sinus pressure.

10. Milk: Some people are sensitive to milk and sometime increase mucous secretion. Try to remove milk from your diet to see if it helps reduce sinus pressure.

11. Multi-Vitamins: Taking multi-vitamins is the building block to have a strong immune system. Make it part of your daily routine since this is one of the steps that gets forgotten or skipped since it is difficult to measure the immediate results from vitamins.

12. Medicines (Non-prescription): Anti-histamines help your body from not over reacting to allergens. Take them in time so that the sinus issues don't flare up.

13. Yoga: Doing breathing exercises everyday, even for little kids, can be very helpful. Breathe in and breathe out takes less than 10 minutes but helps our bodies to get back to equilibrium. Google for "Yoga breathing" on YouTube.

14. Hypo-allergenic Bedding: Pillow cases, mattress covers, bed sheets that are hypo-allergenic are recommended. Try
to wash the bedding every week in hot water to get rid of dust mites and other allergens.

15. Join Support Group / Forums to discuss and share your knowledge, as experience is the best teacher.