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What is a Nasal Infection?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A nasal infection is an infection in the nose and sinus passages. Sometimes referred to as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, nasal infections can be acute or chronic, and they have a variety of causes. Classic symptoms of a nasal infection include a thick, smelly discharge from the nose, a feeling of tightness around the face, heat around the nose, and a constant sense of feeling stuffed up and sniffly.

The nose is one of the body's first lines of defense against infection. It is very adroit when it comes to trapping bacteria, allergens, and other invaders. Sometimes, however, infectious or irritating material manages to get past the nose, and it can cause infection. Nasal infections happen when bacteria start to colonize the nose and sinuses; this warm, moist environment is a haven for bacteria once they gain a foothold.

Inhaling steam might help treat a nasal infection.
Inhaling steam might help treat a nasal infection.

Nasal infections can also happen when people with allergies develop an inflammation and the inflammation goes untreated. In this case, people may feel snuffly or unwell for several days before unpleasant discharges start to emerge from the nose. Nasal infections also sometimes accompany viral infections of the respiratory tract, with the viruses settling in the nose and sinuses and causing infection.

As babies tend to only breath through their nose, cleaning out their nasal passages is important.
As babies tend to only breath through their nose, cleaning out their nasal passages is important.

Some nasal infections can be treated at home. Resting, drinking lots of fluids to promote drainage, inhaling steam or eating hot soup, and taking over the counter expectorant medications can sometimes resolve the infection. In other cases, prescription medications may be needed to knock out the agent causing infection. If a nasal infection persists or becomes recurrent, medical treatment should be pursued to resolve the problem.

Drainage from a nasal infection can irritate the lining of the throat.
Drainage from a nasal infection can irritate the lining of the throat.

For a chronic nasal infection, surgery may be recommended. The shapes of the sinuses are very different from person to person, and sometimes small irregularities can predispose someone to infection. A surgeon can address the problem, reducing the risk of future infections. Surgery can also be used to clear infected and dead material if it has started clogging the nose and sinuses.

Expectorants can help relieve sinus congestion.
Expectorants can help relieve sinus congestion.

If a patient does opt for surgery for a chronic nasal infection, it is worth talking to the surgeon about the goal of the surgery, the length of recovery, and the risks. Surgery on the face can carry some special risks which patients should carefully weigh before making a commitment. A reputable surgeon can provide information about success rates, risks of the procedure, and experience in the field to make a patient feel more at ease with a proposed procedure.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

pastanaga

You have to be careful if you get chronic infections not to get addicted to those nasal sprays that clear your nose. I know a lot of people who, when they feel the nasal infection symptoms coming on, reach automatically for the nasal spray, without reading or following the instructions. Especially the instructions that explain you can only use it regularly for a few days before giving it a break.

If you use it more often, eventually you can't stop getting a runny nose and your nose membranes will swell up, which of course, does not help the infection. Some people even have to get surgery. I'm not saying don't use the sprays, just be careful, and follow the instructions. But, in my opinion, it's much better to treat the cause, rather than just mask the symptoms with a spray.

irontoenail

In my experience the best treatment for a blocked nose is to snort salt water. I know that sounds drastic, and it can hurt a little bit but I've seen it work a few times, and I don't think it will do you any harm, especially if you boil the water first. Just add enough salt so that a cup of luke warm water tastes like sea water, and make yourself sniff it back.

Try not to swallow it or get it into your lungs, clear your throat a bit and try to spit out the bad stuff. Often there will be much more bad stuff in there than you would expect.

It's often hard to make yourself breath in the water through your nose, but it can make you feel much better. If it won't go in properly you might try leaning your head back and pouring it in.

Inhaling steam can also help, but if your nose is really really blocked, it can be hard to get it to where it's needed. Of course, you should make sure your doctor agrees before you try this.

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    • Inhaling steam might help treat a nasal infection.
      By: absolutimages
      Inhaling steam might help treat a nasal infection.
    • As babies tend to only breath through their nose, cleaning out their nasal passages is important.
      By: aseph
      As babies tend to only breath through their nose, cleaning out their nasal passages is important.
    • Drainage from a nasal infection can irritate the lining of the throat.
      By: kmiragaya
      Drainage from a nasal infection can irritate the lining of the throat.
    • Expectorants can help relieve sinus congestion.
      By: rudisetiawan
      Expectorants can help relieve sinus congestion.
    • Paranasal sinus infections are often caused by a  virus or other pathogen.
      By: drubig-photo
      Paranasal sinus infections are often caused by a virus or other pathogen.
    • Resting and drinking a lot of fluids will help to treat a nasal infection.
      By: nikomi
      Resting and drinking a lot of fluids will help to treat a nasal infection.
    • Shapes of the sinuses vary from person to person.
      By: Sebastian Kaulitzki
      Shapes of the sinuses vary from person to person.