Home remedies that can relieve sinus allergies

But first, what causes sinus pressure?

A type of skin called mucous membrane lines the sinuses. This membrane protects the body by producing mucus, which catches dirt and other particles that might otherwise cause illness.

Woman sneezing into tissue Pulse

The lining of the sinuses can swell if a person has an allergic reaction or infection. Swelling may lead to a feeling of pressure around the nose, cheeks, and above the eyes. These areas of the face may feel painful or tender. Infections or allergies can lead to uncomfortable pressure in the sinuses.

Below are natural alternatives to over-the-counter (OTC) medications for sinus pressure.

Increase humidity in the air

This will work particularly well indoors. Put a kettle on the fire and let it boil for long so that the water vapor mixes with the air in the house. The more humid the air you are breathing is, the more relief you get.

Dry air can irritate the mucous membrane and dry out the sinuses. Blowing all mucous from the nostrils might seem like a good solution, but the drier the mucous membranes the worse the condition gets just as arid air will worsen the irritation and sinus pressure.

If you have the means, get a humidifier or vaporizer in your home. These add water into the air. A person breathes in the humid air, and it helps moisturize the delicate skin lining the sinuses.

The increased humidity is especially helpful in bedrooms and any place a person spends a great amount of time. Sleeping in a room while one of these devices is running can help relieve sinus pressure and may reduce congestion upon waking up.

Saline irrigation

Rinsing nasal passages with a saline solution can help reduce irritation and inflammation in the nose.

A saline solution can easily be made at home using sterile water, salt, and baking soda. Combine the following ingredients:

one-quarter pint of clean water
one-quarter teaspoon (tsp) of salt
one-quarter tsp of baking soda

People can sniff this into the nose from cupped palms, one nostril at a time. A person can also use a syringe to squirt a solution into their nostrils.

Steam inhalation

Using steam to open the passages in the nose can help relieve sinus allergies.

Steam inhalation is straightforward for people to do at home. Boil water, pour it into a large bowl, and lean over, so the face is directly above the water. Cover the head with a towel, and breathe through the nose.

People should not breathe directly over a steaming kettle or boiling pot of water. The steam can burn skin.

Baths and showers

A person can skip the boiling water and turn on the shower instead. Hot showers and baths create steam that can quickly fill a room. This steam helps moisturize the air, and when a person breathes it in, it moistens their sinus passages.

The extra moisture can ease irritation in the sinuses and thin out mucus so clearing the sinuses is easier.

Drink a lot of fluids

Any time a person is unwell, it is essential to keep the body hydrated. Proper hydration can help to keep the mucus membranes of the nasal passages moist and working correctly.

Warm cloth compression

Applying heat to the sinus area can also help to relieve pressure. One of the easiest ways to do this is using a warm washcloth.

Run a clean washcloth under reasonably hot water and wring it out. Fold it, and lay it across the bridge of the nose and cheeks for a few minutes.

Essential Oils

Many people claim that essential oils can help relieve symptoms of sinus congestion. Essential oils are natural oils that people extract from plants.

Studies show that some essential oils can have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, most support for the use of essential oils in treating sinus pressure is anecdotal, and research in the field is lacking.

Popular oils for the treatment of sinus inflammation include peppermint and eucalyptus oils. People can use these essential oils by adding small drops to a steam bath or a diffuser.

What to avoid

These home remedies for sinus pressure can help reduce symptoms and make breathing easier in time. But it is important that a person does not set back recovery by doing certain things. These include:

Breathing dry air: Dry air, like that of saunas, may irritate the sinuses and prolong recovery.
Breathing in chemicals: Cleaning agents like bleach and chlorine can irritate sinuses on a typical day. They may aggravate sinuses even more if they’re inflamed already.
Blowing too hard: If a person’s sinus passages feel stopped up, they can try to remove some of the mucus by blowing their nose. Individuals need to be careful not to blow too hard. Too much pressure can be painful and actually increase pressure.
Flying while sick: It is not uncommon for people to experience increased sinus pressure after flying. Most sinus pressure from flying will ease in a matter of hours after landing. But if a person with an upper respiratory infection or sinus infection flies, they may experience even more sinus pressure from the flight because their sinuses are already irritated. Rearranging the flight until the infection clears is recommended.