If you're looking to get rid of nasal congestion, a decongestant may work a little better and may be a bit stronger than a typical antihistamine. The thing is, taking a decongestant too often can make your symptoms harder to treat.
Along the same lines as OTC options, antihistamine medications, such as Sudafed, Claritin, Zyrtec or Benadryl, can also offer sinus infection symptom relief. While these medications specifically target allergy symptoms, sinus infection symptoms can be similar, making antihistamines worth a try.
Try using a medicine that thins mucus and improves sinus drainage (mucolytic). Guaifenesin is a commonly used mucolytic. Mucolytics are often combined with other medicines such as cough suppressants. Acetaminophen can be found in many forms and comes in different doses.
Antihistamines and decongestants won't cure your allergies. But they'll give you much-needed relief for a runny or congested nose. Antihistamines target histamine, which your body makes during an allergic reaction. You can take them as pills, nasal spray, or eye drops.
Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are three second-generation antihistamines that alleviate allergy symptoms that can lead to sinusitis. Some of them can be used daily.
ZYRTEC-D® contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant for allergies. It powerfully clears your blocked nose and relieves other allergy symptoms. You can find decongestant products like ZYRTEC-D® at your local drug store behind the pharmacy counter. No prescription is necessary.
"The downside of Benadryl and antihistamines during a time when you have mucus buildup is they make the mucus thicker, so it has a harder time getting out of the sinus," said Larian. Instead, prescription nasal steroids can help ease symptoms.
Zyrtec is an antihistamine, while Sudafed is a decongestant. As an antihistamine, Zyrtec can help with many allergy symptoms, while Sudafed primarily helps with nasal congestion. These medications can usually be taken together, as long as it's safe for you to take either medication alone.
They then mistakenly take antihistamines, which end up drying out the nose and making thick mucus worse. "That's why it's important to make the right diagnosis," says Ellis, who also warns against self-medicating with decongestants like Sudafed, which are also drying and will further thicken your mucus.
To thin the mucus, drink plenty of fluids, take decongestants, gargle with salt water and inhale steam. If sinus drainage lasts more than 10 days and becomes thick and cloudy, you should see a doctor since it could be a sinus infection which requires antibiotics.
Place warm, damp towels around your nose, cheeks and eyes to ease facial pain. Drink plenty of fluids. Consuming additional fluids helps dilute mucous secretions and promotes drainage. Use a saline nasal spray.
Postnasal drip caused by allergies can be managed with OTC antihistamines and decongestants. Note that older antihistamines like Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton can actually thicken mucus; instead, try Claritin, Alavert, Allegra, Zyrtec, Xyzal or Clarinex.
BENADRYL® Allergy Relief Plus Decongestant is the only capsule to combine a fast acting antihistamine (acrivastine) with a powerful decongestant (pseudoephedrine).
Over the counter nasal sprays work great in alleviating sinus infection pressure in the short term, but can have lasting effects if not properly used. The main chemical in nasal spray can cause your sinus infection to get worse!
Steroid nasal sprays
Intranasal steroids, or steroid nasal sprays, are a good first choice to treat nasal congestion or postnasal drip. They can decrease inflammation and drainage in the nasal passages and sinuses.
For true cold symptoms, a decongestant will provide more relief than an antihistamine. If you notice your “cold” symptoms occur at the same time each year (spring for examine), or are consistent year-round, you may actually have allergies that could benefit from antihistamine medication.
Studies have shown equal effectiveness for Zyrtec and Claritin for allergic rhinitis and urticaria. Studies have not compared the effects of Zyrtec and Claritin for conditions such as postnasal drip, but research suggests intranasal antihistamines such as azelastine are more effective.
Chronic sinus infections
A chronic sinus infection, sometimes called chronic sinusitis, some can last for 12 weeks or longer. They can be caused by fungal infections or untreated bacterial infections, the constant infection and inflammation of chronic sinusitis won't go away on its own.
Chronic sinusitis can be brought on by an infection, by growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or by swelling of the lining of your sinuses. Also called chronic rhinosinusitis, the condition can affect both adults and children.
The best sleeping position for sinus drainage issues and other sinus problems is to sleep with your head propped up. Sleeping with your head propped up will help gravity naturally drain your sinuses and lower the likelihood of excessive blood flow that can create sinus congestion.