Whether from allergies, viral infection or bacterial infection, pressure from sinus congestion is often painful and debilitating. There are several over-the-counter medications designed to break up congestion and relieve pressure, but there are also effective home remedies that relieve the symptoms.
Instructions
The Steam Remedy
1. Fill a large heat safe bowl 1/3 with boiling water.
2. Squeeze half a lemon, 10 drops peppermint oil and 10 drops eucalyptus oil into the boiling water.
3. Hold the face over steaming bowl and cover the head with a large towel, to trap the steam.
4. Inhale deeply, allowing the steam to permeate the sinuses.
5. As the water cools, top it off with more boiling water.
Hot and Cold Compresses
6. Place one of the wash cloths in a large bowl and pour boiling water in the bowl until the wash cloth is covered. Set aside to cool.
7. Fill a 1 quart plastic zipper bag with ice (crushed or small-cubed ice is best).
8. Close the bag and wrap the remaining wash cloth around the outside of the bag.
9. Sit, with head leaning back, and place the ice pack across the pressure areas in the face.
10. When the area goes numb, remove the ice pack, place the ice in the freezer and set the cloth aside.
11. Remove the hot wash cloth from the water and wring until slightly damp.
12. Return to the seated position in Step 6 and place the hot cloth over the pressure areas in the face. If the cloth is too hot, shake it a couple of times to cool it down.
13. When the hot compress cools, return it to the hot water to reheat. If the hot water has gone cold, top it off with more boiling water.
14. Alternate between hot and cold three or four times, ending with the cold pack.
Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)
15. Fill a Neti pot with #xBC; tsp. salt and 8 oz. warm (straight from the tap is fine).
16. Stand over a sink or large bowl, tilt the head to one side, pointing the nostril upward.
17.Pour half the contents of the Neti pot into the upturned nostril.
18. Lean forward, and let the water drain out of the nose, into the sink.
19. Repeat with the other nostril.
Nasal Irrigation (Bulb Syringe)
20. Mix #xBC; tsp. salt and 8 oz warm water in a small cup.
21. Insert the bulb syringe into the cup and draw the salt water into the syringe.
22. Standing over a sink, or similar receptacle, tilt the head to one side, the nostril pointing upward.
23. Gently squeezehalf the contents of the bulb into the upturned nostril.
24. Lean forward, over the receptacle, letting the water drain out of the nose.
25. Repeat with the other nostril.
Tips Warnings
Alternatives to eucalyptus and peppermint oil include mint tea, menthol-eucalyptus cough drops, menthol salve and dried rosemary. Bags of frozen peas also make excellent ice packs.
As with any condition, consult a physician to rule out any bacterial cause for the congestion. While viral and allergic causes will run their course, a bacterial infection needs to be treated with antibiotics. Do not use more than 1/4 tsp. of salt for nasal irrigation. Too much salt will cause irritation and pain to the nasal membranes.
Tags: relieve, sinus, pressure, face, boiling water, wash cloth, areas face, bacterial infection, drain nose, head side, into upturned
