Sinus Infection Symptoms (Temple Pain)

… Continued …

1. Home remedies such as keeping hydrated and get adequate rest are often enough to cope with sinus infection. But if the symptoms worsen or don’t improve with home remedies after 7-10 days, see a doctor!
2. Fever is common symptom. But if you have persistent high fever, you should not ignore it!
3. If you have a personal history of chronic /recurrent sinusitis.
4. If you experience unusual symptoms such as swollen temple /forehead, redness /swelling around the eyes, confusion, vision changes (like double vision), and neck stiffness. Some of these symptoms may signal a serious infection.
5. If you have severe, unrelenting headache. It may come on abruptly or get steadily worse. In worse scenario, it may be followed with changes in mental function (personality), slurred speech, decreased alertness, numbness, or even seizures.

Mild sinus pain /headache usually improves with lifestyle measures and home remedies. But in severe cases, medical intervention is required.

The treatment is dependent on the underlying cause of your sinus inflammation and congestion. For examples, sinus infection associated with allergies is usually responsive to antihistamines.

And if it is caused by bacterial infection, antibiotics can be prescribed. But taking antibiotic right away is not recommended. Your doctor usually will ask you to wait a few days to see whether the infection improves without antibiotic. This is important to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance!

In worst scenario, sinus headache /pain due to chronic sinus infection may require surgery. Surgical treatment is the last option when other treatments fail to work. It is usually used to remove damaged sinus tissue so normal sinus drainage can be restored.