How to Relieve Sinus Pressure in the Face

Whether from allergies, viral infection or bacterial infection, pressure from sinus congestion is often painful and debilitating. There are several over-the-counter medications designed to break up congestion and relieve pressure, but there are also effective home remedies that relieve the symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• For the steam remedy:
• Large heat safe bowl
• Large towel
• Lemon (optional)
• Eucalyptus oil (optional)
• Peppermint oil (optional)
• For the compress remedy:
• Two wash cloths
• Zippered storage bags
• Ice
• For nasal irrigation:
• A Neti pot or ear bulb syringe
• Non-iodized salt

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Instructions

The Steam Remedy

• 1

  Fill a large heat safe bowl 1/3 with boiling water.

• 2

  Squeeze half a lemon, 10 drops peppermint oil and 10 drops eucalyptus oil into the boiling water.

• 3

  Hold the face over steaming bowl and cover the head with a large towel, to trap the steam.

• 4

  Inhale deeply, allowing the steam to permeate the sinuses.

• 5

  As the water cools, top it off with more boiling water.

Hot and Cold Compresses

• 6

  Place one of the wash cloths in a large bowl and pour boiling water in the bowl until the wash cloth is covered. Set aside to cool.

• 7

  Fill a 1 quart plastic zipper bag with ice (crushed or small-cubed ice is best).

• 8

  Close the bag and wrap the remaining wash cloth around the outside of the bag.

• 9

  Sit, with head leaning back, and place the ice pack across the pressure areas in the face.

• 10

  When the area goes numb, remove the ice pack, place the ice in the freezer and set the cloth aside.

• 11

  Remove the hot wash cloth from the water and wring until slightly damp.

• 12

  Return to the seated position in Step 6 and place the hot cloth over the pressure areas in the face. If the cloth is too hot, shake it a couple of times to cool it down.

• 13

  When the hot compress cools, return it to the hot water to reheat. If the hot water has gone cold, top it off with more boiling water.

• 14

  Alternate between hot and cold three or four times, ending with the cold pack.

Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)

• 15

  Fill a Neti pot with ¼ tsp. salt and 8 oz. warm (straight from the tap is fine).

• 16

  Stand over a sink or large bowl, tilt the head to one side, pointing the nostril upward.

• 17

  Pour half the contents of the Neti pot into the upturned nostril.

• 18

  Lean forward, and let the water drain out of the nose, into the sink.

• 19

  Repeat with the other nostril.

Nasal Irrigation (Bulb Syringe)

• 20

  Mix ¼ tsp. salt and 8 oz warm water in a small cup.

• 21

  Insert the bulb syringe into the cup and draw the salt water into the syringe.

• 22

  Standing over a sink, or similar receptacle, tilt the head to one side, the nostril pointing upward.

• 23

  Gently squeezehalf the contents of the bulb into the upturned nostril.

• 24

  Lean forward, over the receptacle, letting the water drain out of the nose.

• 25

  Repeat with the other nostril.