As the weather turns colder, sinus issues can flare up and leave you congested and frustrated. Sinusitis, or inflammation of your sinuses, is common during the fall and winter months thanks to the combination of cold air, dry indoor heating, and the prevalence of seasonal viruses.
Close to 30 million Americans struggle with sinus problems, but there are steps you can take to reduce symptoms and breathe easier all season long.
Here, Conrad Kyle McCutcheon, MD, FACS, and the Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing team in Houston, Texas, explain the types of sinusitis and share five tips for managing the condition during the colder months.
Sinusitis comes in several forms: acute, subacute, chronic, and recurrent.
Acute sinusitis lasts less than four weeks and often develops from a cold that turns into an infection. Subacute sinusitis lasts 4–12 weeks and may be triggered by either bacteria or allergies.
Chronic sinusitis persists for more than 12 weeks, sometimes caused by ongoing infection, allergies, or structural issues in the nasal passages. Recurrent sinusitis occurs multiple times per year and is often tied to allergies.
The cold weather and indoor allergens can trigger any of these types of sinusitis.
Regardless of which type of sinusitis you struggle with, these tips can help keep your sinuses healthy during the winter:
Drinking plenty of water helps thin mucus and keeps your sinuses from becoming clogged, but many people inadvertently reduce their fluid intake when the weather cools off. Stay consistent with your hydration goals even if you’re no longer battling Texas summer heat.
In addition to your daily water goals, warm liquids like herbal tea or broth can also soothe irritation and keep mucus flowing.
Indoor heating dries out the air, which can worsen sinus inflammation. A humidifier adds moisture to your home or office, which helps keep your nasal passages comfortable. A humidifier can also help reduce nasal congestion.
Pro tip: Keep your humidifier clean! A dirty humidifier can get moldy, and unfortunately, mildew and mold can trigger allergies and make your sinus issues worse. Stay a step ahead of it by following the cleaning directions for your humidifier.
Rinse out your nasal passages with a saline solution. You can use a neti pot or squeeze bottle to flush out allergens, irritants, and excess mucus.
Regularly doing this may reduce the frequency and severity of sinus flare-ups. Researchers also have found that this method of rinsing your sinuses can help reduce sinus headaches and post-nasal drip.
Safety tip: If you practice nasal irrigation, always follow the instructions on your neti pot or nasal irrigation bottle. Using tap water can introduce bacteria into your nasal passages. Instead, use distilled water (or boiled-then-cooled water) and keep your neti pot/irrigation bottle clean.
Cold weather often brings dust, mold, and indoor allergens to the forefront. To reduce indoor allergens and irritants:
If you already know that you have allergies, stay consistent with your allergy treatment plan and take your allergy medication as directed.
If you’re not sure whether you have allergies, talk to us. Dr. McCutcheon may recommend allergy testing. If needed, he can prescribe allergy medication or sublingual immunotherapy.
If you have allergies or chronic sinusitis, keep up with any treatment protocols that you currently follow. If your normal routine isn’t working any longer, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. McCutcheon for adjustments to your treatment.
You can manage most sinusitis cases with at-home care, but persistent or severe symptoms — such as facial pain, fever, or green nasal discharge — may require additional treatments.
Dr. McCutcheon offers comprehensive care for chronic and acute sinusitis, including medical management, allergy testing, and advanced procedures like balloon sinuplasty when necessary.
Advanced imaging – our office features a sinus-optimized CT scan using the MiniCAT 2020™ — allows Dr. McCutcheon to see the nasal passages and sinus cavities in detail. With this level of detail, he can develop the treatment plan that works best for you.
Our team at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing is here to provide personalized care to help you breathe easier during the colder months and enjoy the season. Call 281-990-4259 today or click here to schedule a consultation.
