How To Relieve Sinus Pressure: Home Remedies and Treatments

If you’re like me, you probably don’t think about your sinuses much.

That is, unless they’re acting up. And then, it’s about all you can think about.

Your sinuses are lined with a type of skin called mucous membrane. This membrane protects you by producing mucus. 

And mucus is like a sticky shield, designed to catch dirt and other particles that you don’t want up your nose.

When sinuses swell, it can lead to pressure around your nose, cheeks, and above the eyes. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know it can feel quite painful and tender.

If you’re prone to this type of sinus pressure, there are a few things you can do at home to ease the pain. 

The first is a simple saline solution you can make at home using sterile water (not tap water), salt, and baking soda. 

Combine the following ingredients:

• 1/4 pint of clean water
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1/4 tsp of baking soda

Sniff this into your nose from cupped palms, one nostril at a time.

Or you can use a clean, dry spray bottle. Gently insert the nozzle into a nostril and spray in the solution. Repeat two to three times per day.

If the thought of snorting salt water is too much to consider, then a neti pot is probably out of the question too. If that’s you, you could try steam inhalation instead.

It’s easy to do at home. Simply boil water, pour it into a large bowl and lean over, so your face is directly above the water. 

Cover your head with a towel, and breathe through your nose.

Of course, staying hydrated supports your health in many ways, and your sinus health is no exception. Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep the mucous membranes in your sinuses moist, so they work properly.

Another simple solution in a pinch is a warm compress. 

Just run a clean washcloth under reasonably hot water (about as hot as you can stand) and wring it out. Fold it, and lay it across the bridge of your nose and cheeks for a few minutes.

Some folks also swear by essential oils like menthol and peppermint, which many believe will open up your nasal passages and ease sinus pressure. 

Truthfully, there’s not a ton of science behind these oils, but try convincing someone who uses them that they don't work.

No matter what you do, with fall upon us, sinus care should be top of mind. Because nothing can mess up a beautiful fall day faster than a reminder that your sinuses are working overtime…