Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen Antibiotics Are NeededOveruse and ResistanceCommon AntibioticsOTC TreatmentHome RemediesWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When Antibiotics Are Needed
Overuse and Resistance
Common Antibiotics
OTC Treatment
Home Remedies
When to See a Provider
Sinus infectionsthat do not clear up on their own may need treatment with antibiotics. Common antibiotics for bacterial sinus infections includethe Z-pak, also known as Zithromax (azithromycin), Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate), and others.
This article will look at when antibiotics for sinus infections are needed and the types of antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for them. It also discusses over-the-counter (OTC) treatments and home remedies for managing sinus infection symptoms.
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How Long Do Antibiotics Stay in Your System?
Sinus infections were often treated with antibiotics in the past, but today healthcare providers warn against using the medications when they’re not needed.A long history of prescribing antibiotics when they were not truly needed has led toantibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance means that certain drugs no longer work against a specific type of germ. Sometimes, it means a bacteria changed in response to exposure to antibiotics and now the treatments are not effective.
Antibiotic resistance can also develop in a person’s body, and then when the infection is spread to other people in the community, it will also be resistant to treatment.
Still, providers do look at symptoms for clues. For example, since viral sinus infections tend to improve in 5 to 7 days, providers will sometimes only prescribe antibiotics if you have symptoms for longer.
A sinus infection that goes on for longer than a week or keeps getting worse is likely to be bacterial.
Common Antibiotics for Sinus Infections
Antibiotics may be prescribed when symptoms of a sinus infection warrant such treatment. Common antibiotics for sinus infection include:
Which Antibiotic Should I Use?The best antibiotic for a sinus infection will depend on several factors. For example, whilepenicillinantibiotics (like amoxicillin) can be very effective, people who are allergic to penicillin will need to take a different kind of antibiotic that has also been shown to help clear up sinus infections (like azithromycin).
Which Antibiotic Should I Use?
The best antibiotic for a sinus infection will depend on several factors. For example, whilepenicillinantibiotics (like amoxicillin) can be very effective, people who are allergic to penicillin will need to take a different kind of antibiotic that has also been shown to help clear up sinus infections (like azithromycin).
Taking Doxycycline for a Sinus Infection? Here’s What to Expect
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Before prescribing an antibiotic, your provider might want you to try an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for a sinus infection such as:
Warning About DecongestantsNote that decongestants can help relieve nasal andsinus congestionbut they should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma or high blood pressure (hypertension).Ask your healthcare provider before using any type of OTC medication to treat a sinus headache, especially if you take any medication or you have a medical condition.
Warning About Decongestants
Note that decongestants can help relieve nasal andsinus congestionbut they should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma or high blood pressure (hypertension).Ask your healthcare provider before using any type of OTC medication to treat a sinus headache, especially if you take any medication or you have a medical condition.
Note that decongestants can help relieve nasal andsinus congestionbut they should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma or high blood pressure (hypertension).
Ask your healthcare provider before using any type of OTC medication to treat a sinus headache, especially if you take any medication or you have a medical condition.
How Sinus Infection Is Treated
Saline nasal rinsescan flush out thickened mucus and allergens from the nasal passages and relieve dryness. Studies have shown that using a low-pressure, high-volume saline nasal rinse can provide fast, long-lasting improvement in quality of life for people who have chronic sinus infections.
Be sure to ask your provider before using a saline nasal rinse.
Using the Right Water During Saline RinsesWhen using saline nasal rinses, tap water should always be boiled and then allowed to cool to make sure it is clean. Distilled water or premixed solutions could be used instead of regular tap water.
Using the Right Water During Saline Rinses
When using saline nasal rinses, tap water should always be boiled and then allowed to cool to make sure it is clean. Distilled water or premixed solutions could be used instead of regular tap water.
Otherhome remedies for sinus infectionsinclude:
If you think you have a sinus infection, you may not be able to manage it on your own at home. You should call your provider if you:
The sooner you start treating a sinus infection, the better. It’s also important that you finish the treatment your provider prescribes for you, even if you start feeling better before it’s done.
Emergency Symptoms of a Sinus Infection That Spreads to the Brain
Summary
If you have symptoms of a sinus infection and you’re not feeling better or start feeling worse after a week or so, call your provider. They can figure out if you need to take antibiotics to clear up the infection and prescribe the one that will be the safest and work the best for you.
What Causes a Sinus Headache Without Congestion
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Sinus infection.KidsHealth from Nemours.What happens when antibiotics are overused?Egan M, Hickner J.Saline irrigation spells relief for sinusitis sufferers.J Fam Pract. 2009;58(1):29-32.Dehler, J. Allina Health.Ten home remedies to relieve sinus pain and pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Sinus infection.KidsHealth from Nemours.What happens when antibiotics are overused?Egan M, Hickner J.Saline irrigation spells relief for sinusitis sufferers.J Fam Pract. 2009;58(1):29-32.Dehler, J. Allina Health.Ten home remedies to relieve sinus pain and pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Sinus infection.KidsHealth from Nemours.What happens when antibiotics are overused?Egan M, Hickner J.Saline irrigation spells relief for sinusitis sufferers.J Fam Pract. 2009;58(1):29-32.Dehler, J. Allina Health.Ten home remedies to relieve sinus pain and pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection.
Cleveland Clinic.Sinus infection.
KidsHealth from Nemours.What happens when antibiotics are overused?
Egan M, Hickner J.Saline irrigation spells relief for sinusitis sufferers.J Fam Pract. 2009;58(1):29-32.
Dehler, J. Allina Health.Ten home remedies to relieve sinus pain and pressure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection.
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