Cheap Cure for a Somewhat Bad Sinus Infection?

Updated on June 25, 2010
J.J. asks from Kearney, NE
24 answers

I have seemed to have come down with a sinus infection and I really don't want to go pay a doctor lots of money for him to tell me that I have a sinus infection. So my question is does anyone know of a fairly cheap and really really good remedy for one?

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

The neti pot and plenty of fluids will probably take care of it, but if it's truly a bad infection, you may need antibiotics to get rid of it. I had one one time that made me feel so bad I could barely sit up,and I had a terrible fever. It wouldn't go away without antibiotics.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

I agree with the Echinacea and Goldenseal remedy. I have gotten some awful sinus infections. Another product you might try is Christopher's Sinus Plus.
That was the only thing that cleared up the one I had after trying Prednisone, antibiotics, and Advair.

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R.R.

answers from Madison on

OTC saline spray. Several times a day. May take a day or 2 longer to clear up but saline spray is $2 a bottle where I live. Netty pot is also good but may take some getting used to.

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D.R.

answers from New York on

yes! try a netti pot with salt water. you dont actually need a netti pot, you can just do it in the shower with your hands. its gross and takes a bit of getting used to, but it works!

2 moms found this helpful
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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Netipot or saline nasal spray (if you tilt your head and the bottle, it comes out in a stream) and old fashioned Sudafed. Not the PE kind they sell now, you need actual Psudephedrine from behind the counter (there are generics too, just ask the pharmacist). You don't need a Rx, but you will have to ask the pharmacist for it because it's kind of controlled these days.

Good luck.

T.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Get a "Neti Pot" which can be found at any drugstore, health food store, Whole Foods.
Use it to rinse your nose.... it works.
Do it regularly, if you are prone to sinus infections/colds.
My Husband is and uses a Neti Pot regularly...and it greatly reduces the frequency of his sinus problems.
My daughter even will use it when sick.
Doctor's really recommend it as well.

Or, get an over the counter Sudafed.... but the kind with pseudoephedrine

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Omaha on

A neti pot or a nasal rinse is a great inexpensive way to keep sinus infections from happening. You can find them at a drug store or places with a pharmacy like walmart. Unfortunately, since you already have a sinus infection you may need to see a doctor for some prescription meds, but the rinses really work. An ear,nose and throat doctor will tell you to use it daily. Sort of like brushing our teeth to rid them of germs and bacteria and prevent cavities, we also should do the same with our noses since they collect just as many germs that can cause sinus infections.
HTH,
A.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Google "neti pots" and do that!

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A.C.

answers from Seattle on

Neti pot. I have heard it really works. Oprah and Dr. Oz have talked about it alot. Not too much $ and is reusable over and over.

Good Luck

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H.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

Generally I think that Sinus infections are treated with Antibiotics..also, be careful, the sinus cavities are obviously next to the brain, I have been told not to "mess" with a sinus infection for that reason... Don't know if it could spread beyond the cavity, but I wouldn't take the chance.

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J.J.

answers from Omaha on

As long as the infection isn't super bad I think you can try to flush it out with some saline flushes. I would also get pseudoephidrine (Sudephed) and take with some antihistimines. You have to get the Sudaphed from behind the counter at your pharmacist. Keep flushing your nose out several times a day. When you flush it, make sure you keep doing it until you can taste the saline in the back of your throat. This is what my doctor recommended I do. Also, take 3000-5000 IU of Vit D3 a day with some Vit C. You should start feeling better soon.

T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

There are many OTC products that will help your sinus infection, but without a prescription, it will take much longer to go away.
I took Mucinex to break up the mucus, Sudafed to dry me out, and most importantly Saline Solution. You can buy these nasal sprays in a can at most retail drug stores and it's just a saline solution that you spray up and get into your nasal passages and it really helps clean you out. You can do it several times a day for quick relief.
Hope you feel better soon!

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

The only CURE for a sinus infection is an antibiotic which requires a prescription from a licensed health professional.

Neti pots have really emerged on the scene since Dr. Oz showed them on Oprah, and the company who introduced it to the market has done a good job of conducting studies and released clinical information to validate their uses. The KEY thing you have to do to properly use a neti pot is to make sure you have sterile water - otherwise, you're introducing more bacterial into the cavity.

Pseudoephedrine simply helps reduce inflammation of nasal passages.
Mucinex is an expectorant.

I'd ask a pharmacist about all the suggestions you've received to see what they recommend as customers in pharmacies tend to be much more open with pharmacists than they are their own physicians.

Most pharmacies have several different antibiotics on their $4 generic list. The question is how many are FDA approved to treat sinus infections vs. other bacterial conditions.

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C.M.

answers from Rochester on

I'm prone to very very bad sinus infections. My doctor, after having seen me for a few infections through the span of like 4 months told me to invest in a netti pot. They do help me, I haven't gotten them as severe or as often since starting that. Saline drops may help too.

If those aren't helping, if otc meds aren't helping.. you're going to just have to go to the doctor. Maybe instead of going to your regular doctor (if it costs more, depends on your insurance) you can try one of the fast clinics that have become popular over the past year or two. The costs are usually 40-50 dollars for the visit then you pay for the prescrip if they send one in for you. Generally if your co-pay is lower, you'll only pay your co-pay instead of the full price.

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Chamomile tea detoxifies the body. You need to drink l aot of it. I use a 12 cup drip coffee maker, put the tea bags on the pot and run water through it like you would for making coffee, let it steep a few minutes and drink. If you don't like the taste try using one pepermint tea bag and one chamomile tea bag, it will taste more like the mint.
How it works is chamomile makes you pee and sweat, which is how your body de-toxifies itself. It may take 2 - 3 days but it does work. This is a more healthy choice instead of taking antibotics all the time.
This also works for any virus flu-colds etc.

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

Get some Mucinex for sinus congestion (DM is not necessary) and that will help take care of the problem as well as using a Netipot. Good luck!

Remember that sinus drainage that is green or yellow doesn't necessarily mean infection, but if you have a fever ALSO, then you do need to see a doctor. Hopefully you caught it before it gets that bad.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Seriously, I swear by Advil Cold and Sinus Gelcaps. Its kept behind the Pharmacy counter. The stuff works miracles. My husband and I get sinus infections a couple of times a year and we haven't gone to the dr or had antibiotics in many, many years. This is the only stuff that relieves the pressure, headaches, etc. I hope you feel better!

Updated

Seriously, I swear by Advil Cold and Sinus Gelcaps. Its kept behind the Pharmacy counter. The stuff works miracles. My husband and I get sinus infections a couple of times a year and we haven't gone to the dr or had antibiotics in many, many years. This is the only stuff that relieves the pressure, headaches, etc. I hope you feel better!

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K.S.

answers from Green Bay on

The best first step is to rinse your sinuses 2x a day with saline solution. I use NeilMed sinus rinse packets and bottle. It works better than a Neti pot.I got them at Walgreen's.

Another thing to do is avoid dairy.

One product that I add to my regimen when fighting something is called Defend and Resist. http://K..myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20613

Let me know if you have any questions!

Here to help,

K. Sikich
http://K..myshaklee.com

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S.H.

answers from Green Bay on

Well it's not a cure but might prevent more later. A Netti pot.
S.

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K.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I swear by echinacea/goldenseal capsules. You can purchase them at Walgreen's for $5 or so. I have had this remedy knock out a terrible sinus infection after two rounds of antibiotics did not touch it. Obviously, I'm not a doctor so don't take it if you are allergic, on other meds, other health conditions, etc.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Nasal rinse or netti pot. The rinse is about $12 and comes with the saline additive. Works great. It may not cure a current infection but it works well for use here in TX with tons of allergies.

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S.S.

answers from Omaha on

If it's truly an infection, I believe you have to have antibiotics to clear it up. I take allegra to clear my sinuses, but doubt they have ever been truly infected- or the allegra just wouldn't work- my coworkers like mucinex

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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

If you truly have a sinus infection, nothing over the counter is going to help, you need an antibiotic to get rid of the bug. You can tried Neil Med Sinus rinse http://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php we carry it behind the counter in our pharmacy because we have to order it in but you don't need a prescription to get it. If you have lots of "gunk" to get rid of, consider some Mucinex D to help loosen and thin the congestion so you can get it out. You can use the sinus rinse as often as you like ( I find it help me the most of I use it as warm as it is comfortable) and it really really does help clean things out!!

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