Sinuses are the open cavities that are found in the facial area of your face and they are all connected to your nose through a single opening. They are found in pairs on the left and right side of the face, Sinuses do cause a number of problems, due to infections associated with your nasal passage, such as a cold. One of the problems caused by the sinuses is called the burning sinuses.
Burning sinuses is a condition that manifests as a burning sensation in the nasal passages and comes with some level of pain. When one experiences burning sinuses, then this is an indication that the infection in the sinuses is at an advanced stage. There are a number of medications and home remedies that you can use to alleviate this burning sensation. Although this is usually a minor issue, it can become serious and cause a lot of pain and discomfort. This is a problem that can recur after every two weeks or so, and you should know what to do when you have burning sinuses.
Symptoms of Burning Sinuses
Although burning sinuses bring about a painful burning sensation in the nasal cavities, there are signs and symptoms that will let you know that you are developing the condition.
- Bad breath, also known as halitosis
- A cough that gets worse when in a lying position
- A combination of fever, headache and fatigue.
- Pain in the upper jaw and teeth.
- A poor sense of smell and taste.
- A lot of pressure on the nasal and eye areas.
- An ear ache that may accompany a sore throat.
- Inflammation of the nasal tract making it very red.
- A dark yellow or greenish discharge from the nose.
The above are the initial symptoms, but as the infection spreads through the nasal cavities and sinuses, the symptoms become more prominent. Here are the symptoms that come from severe infection of the sinuses.
- Double vision or other complications with your eyesight.
- A stiff neck.
- Some degree of confusion.
- Problems when breathing.
- A very severe and long-lasting headache.
Burning sinuses can become so severe that you end up feeling disoriented. One should seek immediate treatment when the infection is severe.
Causes of burning sinuses
The cavities of your sinuses play an important role in making sure that the air that gets to your lungs is warm and properly humid. In normal conditions, there is just a lot of air and some mucus in your sinuses. At times, the germs that get in with the air get trapped in the mucus lining the sinuses, and the warm conditions allow the germs to multiply at a fast rate; this is what leads to the infection of the sinuses.
Usually, a common cold is the main reason why the sinuses get infected, but at times it may be due to allergens, bacteria and fungi. Here are some of the causes of burning sinuses.
- A deviated or crooked nasal septum.
- Immune system disorders.
- Having tumors located in the nasal passage.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Hay fever.
The above conditions cause more mucus to be secreted in the nose, and this leads to a blocked nose. When the sinuses get completely blocked, then you will develop the burning sensation indicated by this condition.
Treatment of Burning Sinuses (Home Remedies)
A doctor will normally prescribe certain medicines to reduce the discomfort and pain brought about by a sinus infection. Some of the medicines prescribed for burning sinuses are
- Decongestants
- Nasal sprays and corticosteroid drops.
- Painkillers that can be bought over the counter.
There are many home remedies that can be used to treat burning sinusitis, and some of them are:
- Steaming – When the mucus hardens in your sinuses, you can experience a lot of pain and discomfort. When you inhale steam, the mucus softens and drains easily out of the sinuses. Simply get some clean boiling water and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Cover your head with a towel, and the breath in the warm steam. For this treatment to be more effective, add two or three drops of eucalyptus oil to the steaming water. The eucalyptus helps in fighting the inflammation. Care must be taken so the steam does not burn your face.
- Drinking warm fluids – In order to reduce the mucus and phlegm caused by this condition, one should take more warms fluids such as hot chocolate and herbal teas. You can also warm some milk or take some broth or soup. It is important that you increase your intake of water and fruit juices such as orange juice.
- Heat treatment – In this case, you dip a face towel in warm water, and then apply the towel to the area surrounding your nose. This treatment reduces the pain and inflammation in the area, and also helps drive down any swelling that you may have.
