4 Habits to Adopt to Avoid Sinus Infection

A woman pinching her nose due to pain from a sinus infection

A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is swelling or inflammation of the tissues that line the sinuses. Sinuses are the hollow spaces between our eyes, in our forehead, and behind our cheekbones. Mucus is produced in these spaces, which traps pollutants, allergens, and dust in our noses.

As per the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 31 million people in the country are afflicted with a sinus infection, and spend more than a billion dollars on its treatment each year. A person dealing with a sinus infection would experience a runny nose, sore throat, facial pain, and cough. Here are four habits to adopt to avoid sinus infections.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

Common infections such as colds or flu can contribute to sinus infections. Regularly washing hands eliminates harmful microbes, thus reducing the accumulation of harmful germs in the sinuses and nasal cavity. To avoid sinus infections, it's also recommended to get flu shots as the first line of defense against microbes that contribute to a sinus infection.

Use a Humidifier

Dryness can contribute to sinus congestion, thus triggering a sinus infection. A humidifier would increase the amount of humidity in your home. This would remove the irritant dry air that leads to inflamed air passages in your throat and nose. Follow these tips for effective humidifier usage.

In the case of children, always use a cool mist humidifier
Keep the humidifier at least two feet away from yourself
Keep the humidity level between 30% and 50%
Regularly drain and clean your device, as not doing that may cause bacterial growth.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

Good health ensures healthy sinuses. To keep your sinus fit and healthy, adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising regularly, having enough sleep, and eating healthy. These activities would improve your immune system and avoid sinus infections. Having a strong immune system would not only keep you away from sinus infections but also ensure prevention from other diseases such as cold or flu, which indirectly can cause a sinus infection.

A mother teaching her daughter how to touch her toes when exercising

Managing Allergies

Allergies can trigger a sinus infection. Therefore it is important to control them to avoid sinus infections. Try to stay away from irritants or allergens that cause you sinus infections. Allergens vary from person to person, but some common allergens and irritants are pollens, dust mites, mold, or dander. Some of the most used medicines to manage sinus allergies include cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine.

Avoiding sinus infections would contribute to a healthy and tension-free life for someone with a vulnerable sinus. If you are someone, who goes through the same problem, we got you covered. At TelMDCare our expert team of online doctors can treat your sinus infections. Our exceptional online treatment not only covers online consultations but also medication refills. Looking for online doctors for other medical conditions? Try our online doctors for UTIs, COVID, strep throat, ear infections, and many other medical conditions.