How to Treat a Sinus Drip

A sinus drip is one of the most common side effects of a sinus infection. A drip can be painful and embarrassing. Thankfully, there are numerous simple steps you can take to treat a sinus drip.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Saline solution
• Allergy shots
• Nasal corticosteroid spray
• Antihistamine nasal spray
• Nasal irrigation system

1. Drink plenty of water. By staying properly hydrated, you'll help to thin the mucous that collects in the sinuses. Thick, congested mucous can prolong the discomfort and irritation of a sinus drip.
2. Cleanse your sinuses to wash away any built-up mucous, bacteria or other environmental particles. Use a warm saline solution that's free of additives and preservatives. While this process will help to relieve the discomfort of a sinus drip, it won't cure the sinus infection that's responsible for the drip.
3. Visit an allergist to see whether your nasal drip is the product of an allergic reaction. Through a series of tests, an allergist will be able to determine what specific allergies are contributing to your sinus problems. Once they're identified, a doctor will be able to help you overcome these allergies.
4. Get a series of allergy shots to treat any allergic reaction responsible for your nasal drip. A regimen of allergy shots can be administered over a prolonged period of time to help your immune system overcome certain allergic reactions. This is a very involved process that can take up to 5 years to complete.
5. Use a nasal corticosteroid spray to fight sinus allergies. These sprays can also help to soothe inflamed skin within the sinuses, reducing the severity of a sinus drip.
6. Find an antihistamine nasal spray to help fight the allergies responsible for your nasal drip. You can also find an antihistamine spray that includes decongestant properties to help break up sinus congestion.
7. Administer a nasal irrigation system to help ease a sinus drip. Two common forms of nasal irrigations are the neti pot system and the bulb syringe system. The tools and ingredients necessary to perform this treatment are available in most grocery stores and pharmacies.

Tips & Warnings

• Chronic bad breath is often an unfortunate side effect of a sinus drip. Treat a sinus drip to reduce your dependence on breath mints and chewing gum.
• It's possible to treat a sinus drip without directly addressing the sinus infection responsible for creating the drip. In addition to taking steps to treat a sinus drip, you should also talk to your doctor about ways to prevent sinus infections from occurring.