Treating a Sinus Infection
Steps to take when curing sinus infections

Sinus infections occur when sinuses are overwhelmed by viruses and bacteria. This coupled with a depressed immune system leads to the inflammation and general symptoms associated with sinusitis. An infection can be treated effectively with appropriate medication and therapy.
When treating a sinus infection, the main goals to keep in mind are reducing the swelling and inflammation in the sinuses, promoting sinus drainage, and maintaining open sinuses.
How to reduce congestion and inflammation
Reducing blocked airways is an important part of treating a sinus infection. There are a few different decongestants you can try. Remember that taking decongestants with other sinus medications might reduce the efficacy of both.
Decongestants
Try nasal sprays for mild to moderate sinus infections. (brands include Afrin, Otrivin, and Naphcon Forte). Although these work the fastest, you should not use them for more than three days because they grow less effective over time.
Oral decongestants are another option. These are offered in wide variety in drug stores everywhere. These medications become effective in fifteen to thirty minutes. Like nasal sprays, oral decongestants grow less effective over time and prolonged use.
Symptoms associated with decongestants include insomnia, dry mouth, anxiety, and headache. Persons with a history of heart disease, anxiety attacks, and high blood pressure should see a doctor before using decongestants.
How to eliminate infection

Eliminating infection is the primary goal of treating sinus infections. This ensures that the infection will not suffer from complications.
Antibiotics - Usually, a dosage of amoxicillin is enough to take for a sinus infection. This antibiotic is effective against most infections. It has a few side effects, including nausea and swelling of the throat. For more severe infections or resistant bacteria, antibiotics such as Cleftin or Augmentin can be prescribed. If you are taking birth control, keep in mind that antibiotics reduce your birth control’s efficacy.
Promoting drainage
There are numerous ways you can promote drainage—try inhaling steam or increasing your water intake. Sometimes, if the sinusitis is caused by outside allergies, taking antihistamines can help as well. Many antihistamines have been shown to be ineffective at promoting drainage because they dry out the skin and mucous. Antihistamines such as Allegra, Claritin, or Clarinex do not dry out the sinuses and are good for promoting sinus drainage.
Maintaining open sinuses
When treating acute sinusitis, a simple antibiotic prescription is usually enough. However, for more severe or chronic cases of sinusitis, consider using an intranasal steroid. Medications include Beconase, Nasacort, and Nasalide. Keep in mind that some intranasal steroids are more tolerable for you than others. Steroids are very potent inflammation inhibitors and result in long-term improvement.