Causes, Symptoms, & Home Remedies for Burning Sinus Infection

By Patricia | June 26, 2009

The sinuses are the open cavities that are located in your facial bones. These cavities are situated in four different parts of your skull and are always found in pairs. All these are directly linked to your nose, through a natural opening. Unfortunately, there are number of sinus-related issues that people can suffer from, and sinusitis is the most common, which occurs due to an infection. Many people also experience a problem known as burning sinuses.

Burning sinuses refers to burning sensation in the nasal cavities accompanied with a degree of pain. Burning nasal passages are generally an indication that the infection has reached an advanced stage. In addition to the burning sensation, you are also likely to experience yellow discharge, swelling, fever and sinus pain.

A burning sinus usually begins with a minor ailment; however, before long, it could become very painful. You could elevate the nasal cavity pain and burning with the help of medication and home remedies. However, burning sinuses can be an ongoing problem and will probably recur after a couple of weeks. Therefore, you need to be aware of the risks and take essential preventive care.

Causes:

The sinus cavity makes sure to warm the inhaled air and humidify it, before it goes into the lungs. Normally, there is nothing but mucus and air in your sinuses. As we breathe germs move into the respiratory system through your nose, and are trapped in your sinuses. Here the warm environment aids rapid multiplication, leading to an infection.

In most instances, sinus infections occur because of the common cold. However, there could be several other factors that trigger off this infection, like the bacteria, fungi and allergens. Some of the lesser known causes of a sinus infection include –

  • Nasal septum that is crooked or deviated
  • Hay fever
  • Presence of tumors in the nose
  • Medical conditions like cystic fibrosis
  • Disorders in the immune system

These factors increase the production of mucus within the nasal passages, which in turn results in blocked nose. In case the sinuses get blocked by the mucus completely, you will suffer from pain and burning in the nasal passages.

Signs and symptoms:

Burning sinuses are known to cause a burning sensation and pain in the nasal cavity. However, in the initial stages, you may experience signs and symptoms that are fairly mild, like –

  • Pain in the teeth and the upper jaw area
  • Halitosis or bad breath
  • Coughing, which gets worse when you lie down
  • Fever, generally accompanied by fatigue and a headache
  • Pressure around the eyes and nose
  • Swelling and some pain in the nose as well as the surrounding area
  • Earache
  • Sore throat
  • Redness in the nasal tract
  • Reduction in the sense of taste as well as smell
  • Nasal Discharge, which is dark yellow or greenish in color

As the infection spreads to the surrounding tissue, the signs and symptoms will be more evident. Some of the symptoms related to severe sinus infection are –

  • Breathing problems
  • Confusion
  • A severe and unbearable headache
  • Neck stiffness
  • Double vision or other similar vision problems

At times, the burning sensation may be so severe you may feel disorientated because of it. These symptoms are a cause for concern and should be treated without any delay. Make sure you visit your physician the moment you notice any of these symptoms.

Treatments:

There are several medicines that can reduce the pain and discomfort caused by a sinus infection. Given below are some of the medicines that doctors suggest for treating burning sinusitis –

  • Nasal corticosteroids and sprays
  • Decongestants
  • Over the counter painkillers

These medicines helps your body get rid of the infection at a faster pace.

Home Remedies:

Several people prefer using simple home remedies to treat sinus infections, mainly because there are a few side effects associated with medicines. Given below are some effective home remedies that help in alleviating sinus infections –

  • Heat therapy: Applying a heating pad or a hot compress on to your face helps alleviate the pain and burning sensation to a great extent. This remedy is also good for reducing inflammation and swelling in the area. However, make sure that the heating pad or the compress is not too hot, or else you could burn yourself.
  • Steaming: Breathing in hot steam helps to loosen the hardened mucus, making it easier for your body to get rid of it. Boil some fresh water and let it cool for about 5 to 10 minutes. Use a towel over the head and inhale the stem from the pot deeply. To maximize the effectiveness of this home remedy, add 2 or 3 eucalyptus oil drops to the boiled water. Take care not to burn your face as the steam can sometimes be very hot.
  • Warm fluids: You could increase the consumption of warm liquids to get rid of the phlegm or mucus. Make sure that you have some warm broth, herbal tea, skim milk or orange juice throughout the day. You also need to drink at least 8 glasses of water during the day.

It is also important for you to get an adequate amount of sleep and rest during the day. Moreover, check with your doctor before you use any of these home remedies.

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