Alternative Treatment for Sinus Infections

Q: I get frequent sinus infections. How can I prevent them? And how bad are antibiotics really? Also, are there any alternatives to antibiotics?

A: This is a great question, and one that many people are asking this time of year. Antibiotics are vastly over-prescribed for the management of sinusitis. Studies have shown that the use of antibiotics does not significantly reduce the severity or the duration of symptoms.

For several years, I have had patients with chronic sinus infections and allergies tell me that the use of a neti pot has been “life changing” (yes, those were the exact words). Now there are studies to support that nasal irrigation, either using a neti pot or other instruments, can improve symptoms.

I recommend that anyone with seasonal allergies or chronic sinus infections use a nasal irrigation on a daily basis.

Learn more:
An all-natural medicine cabinet makeover
Head to toe alternative remedies guide

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.

Read more: Health, Allergies, allergies, antibiotics, neti pot, sinus infection

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

aj E.

2:41PM PDT on May 21, 2013

noted.

2:41PM
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Helga B.

6:58AM PDT on Apr 25, 2013

i use a spray and works so good...

April 25
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Ana Marija R.

5:56AM PDT on Mar 21, 2013

Worth to try... Thank you for sharing.

March 21
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Cynthia H.

10:13AM PST on Mar 1, 2013

First year I've had sinus infections, and I've had 5!!! I was told to use the neti pot & did while I was sick on the 4th time. Now with the 5th one, I'm using it almost every day - after I take a shower & have cleared out my sinuses as best I can.

I think of it like when I had a boo boo and went to the beach - it always healed faster. Makes sense that the saltwater would help the sinuses.

But - use bottle or boiled water. It burns with tap water & you could get something worse exposing your mucus membrane to other potential infections.

March 1
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LMj S.

2:28PM PDT on Aug 31, 2012

Thank you for article.

August 31
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Kiana S.

5:15AM PST on Jan 21, 2012

I was ill a few weeks ago and felt a sinus infection coming on. I used to get them fairly often when I was younger, so I know the signs and know what happens if you don't get on them right away. I immediately started using my neti pot (I use it periodically, but hadn't for a while) and to my surprise my symptoms went away within a few days! I was just hoping to slow the infection down until I could get to the doctor and start a course of antibiotics, but here I am a week later with totally clear sinuses and no splitting headaches. I'm amazed! From now on my neti pot is going to be my first line of defense for sinus infections and antibiotics will be a last resort!

January 21
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Charla D.

8:56AM PST on Dec 26, 2011

I've been using a neti pot once a day for many years now. It took a little getting used to at first but I soon found it very easy to use. One word of caution however: recently there have been a few cases of people dying from a parasitic amoeba that is often found in water (even treated town/city water), after it entered their brain via neti pot use, so make sure that you do NOT use tap water without boiling it thoroughly (at least 3 minutes). Better to be on the safe side.

December 26
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Jan W.

7:19AM PST on Dec 2, 2011

I've been using a neti pot for about 15 years. I tried to get my dad to use one but being the 'nutty' daughter, he ignored me. Then this year, his doctor recommended it and he was thrilled that it worked. HE is now an advocate!