Pregnancy is the glorious recognition that your body is creating new life. With the pregnancy fatigue and sickness donning your body the last thing you want is a sinus infection. But behold, germs now see you as an easy target with your immunity lowered. How to treat a sinus infection while pregnant? Is it as easy as it was before pregnancy?
How To Treat A Sinus Infection While Pregnant
For Treating a sinus infection while pregnant, medications such as Tylenol are deemed safe to ease headaches and pains whilst some decongestant medications are best avoided.
Alternatively, the best method is to try and treat your symptoms while the infection runs its course this can be through using a humidifier and elevation while sleeping.
Pregnancy and Sinus Treatment
Feeling under the weather is no fun especially when you are pregnant. You may assume that what you are experiencing are the typical pregnancy symptoms be it fatigue, headaches, or stuffy nose. But considering you have a sinus infection can fill your already groggy head with confusion as many medications you would turn to aren’t always safe for your baby.
How to treat a sinus infection while pregnant doesn’t have to be as complicated as you may think. Whether you prefer to take a more natural route or feel like taking any (safe) drug under the sun to eliminate your symptoms, stick with us while we explain in detail how you can help yourself get back to enjoying being pregnant.
What Is a Sinus Infection?
Having infected sinuses can at times mimic a nasty cold. Our sinuses are tiny air-filled pockets in line with our cheekbones, under normal circumstances, the mucus made by the membranes in these pockets can drain away leaving your head clear and making it easy to breathe but if an infection occurs then your sinuses become swollen making the mucus build up and giving a full congested feeling.
A sinus infection and pregnancy may seem more prominent and symptoms may feel more extreme but as your immunity is lowered it leaves you open to contracting more viruses and infections than before coupled with your pregnancy symptoms you may be having a really rotten time.
Types of Sinus Infection
There are two variants of sinus infection that are categorized by the severity of symptoms and how long it lasts.
The first is known as Acute Sinusitis which is typically a short term inflammation of the sinuses leaving you with groggy cold like symptoms.
The other is Chronic Sinusitis. If symptoms persist for longer than three months then it can transform into a chronic case. If you have asthma or any allergies you may be more vulnerable to chronic Sinusitis.
Causes Of Sinus Infection
If you are suffering with your sinuses during pregnancy then you can blame your hormones.
Estrogen and Progesterone are responsible for the multiplication of cells and growth of both the placenta and your baby, unfortunately, this is also the case for the amount of mucus made within the nasal passages meaning you are more likely to feel congestion during pregnancy.
Coming into contact with others who have the infection or a common cold can also subject you to becoming ill. Sinusitis is formed from a virus and can develop into a bacterial infection which can contribute to symptoms worsening.
Symptoms
Being pregnant and suffering with your sinuses can knock you off your feet. Whether it’s your body’s way of saying take a break or the aftermath of a viral infection, symptoms of a sinus infection can vary.
You may even consider whether or not you have a sinus infection but if you have any of the following chances are you are battling with infection.
- Pressure around cheekbones and nasal area.
- Toothache, especially in the top canines.
- Congestion
- Feeling full of cold
- Green snot
- Headache
Overall each of these symptoms mimics the typical cold but if they remain for longer than a week you may be facing a sinus infection.
Even though you may feel like rubbish the good news is that your baby won’t be affected by the infection but that’s not to mean you should suffer for longer than necessary.
With the rules and advice of what’s safe to take during pregnancy many women are scared to take anything at all but before you become a prisoner in a bed of your own snot let’s look at how to get rid of a sinus infection while pregnant.
How To Get Rid of a Sinus Infection While Pregnant
Concerns over taking medication whilst pregnant are very common. You are striving to eat the perfect diet, taking vitamins, and hydrating so putting anything that’s not natural into your body can seem unnerving.
What Can I Take For A Sinus Infection While Pregnant?
Fortunately, there are over the counter medications that are safe to take whilst pregnant.
If your symptoms are prolonged or worsening then your doctor may decide that the best treatment would be to head down the antibiotic route to zap the infection. Other than that, relieving headaches or pain can be combated by taking Acetaminophen. Otherwise known as Tylenol, studies have shown that short term use during pregnancy has no lasting effects on your baby but regular use is not advised.
My first experience with a sinus infection hit me like nothing I had ever felt before. I found myself at a loss because the typical decongestants in my medicine cabinet were not advised during pregnancy so you need to be careful about taking your typical cold and flu medications.
Seek advice before taking:
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Cough mixtures
- Ibuprofen
This isn’t to say that any of the above cannot be taken but doctors supervision must be sought.
Natural Remedies of A Sinus Infection While Pregnant
As with any viral infection sometimes antibiotics won’t be needed so in order to help ease your symptoms treating a sinus infection while pregnant can be done through the form of natural remedies.
- Hydrate
keeping your fluids up is key during pregnancy but it can also help to clear excess mucus clearing your nose in hand. Cool or warm liquids can also soothe your sore throat.
- Nasal irrigation
Not the most pleasant but flushing saline solution or salt water up your nose can help clear and remove the gunk blocked in your nasal pathways.
- Use a humidifier
Perfect during the night time when you need your rest, humidifiers work to maintain the balance of moisture in the air. Dry air can irritate your sinuses further so using this can help with thinning mucus.
- Boost your pillows
If you haven’t taken over your bed with a pregnancy pillow yet then you may have space for elevation. Lifting your head, neck, and chest will minimize the amount of mucus gathering in your cavities.
- Steam
a steamy warm bath or shower can be your best friend if fighting congestion.
- Hot/cold Therapy
Applying a hot or cold compress to your sinuses can help ease the pressure pain and help relieve tension and headaches.
- Rest
Your body is doing so much at the moment, creating life is not an easy job so if you’re unlucky enough to have a sinus infection on your plate as well then take note of your body and rest whilst you can.
From the list above you can see that there are extensive options for you to try to help ease your symptoms. You don’t have to suffer just because you can’t take the traditional meds you otherwise would if you weren’t pregnant.
I found that raising myself in bed and inhaling steam worked best for me. Even though it took a while for me to get over my infection, ensuring I got a good night’s sleep was my main goal.
When To See A Doctor
You may feel as if you are living in your doctor’s office since you have had your big fat positive and that is totally normal. If you don’t feel well at any time in pregnancy then seeking advice is the best possible thing you can do for yourself and your baby.
If you are unwell without any signs of getting better then getting sinus infection treatment while pregnant may only be considered by a doctor. Antibiotics can be prescribed or alternative treatments can be considered.
Your pregnancy is personal to you and with your medical history, your doctor will be able to examine and determine how best to go forward.
If you begin to have a severe cough, high fever, prolonged sickness that’s not typically pregnancy related, or trouble sleeping then you must not hesitate to get in touch with your doctor.
Wrapping Up
Becoming ill with a sinus infection whilst pregnant is never a walk in the park. Your vulnerability to common viruses is unfortunately heightened so it’s best to avoid coming into contact with others with colds.
If you are currently wondering, how to treat a sinus infection while pregnant. The truth is it can become a drawn-out process as many traditional medicated remedies are off limits but thankfully with the alternative options you don’t have to suffer. Opt for a steamy bath to relax those muscles or sleep like a queen with your pillows plumped high.
More to Read
- What Happens If You Don’t Eat Enough While Pregnant? – Surprising Facts
- Is My Baby Hungry When I’m Hungry During Pregnancy?
- Is It Bad To Not Take Prenatal Vitamins While Pregnant?
- It Feels Like Baby Is Shaking Inside Me! Is That Normal?
- Why Is My Pregnant Belly Soft When I Lay Down – What You Should Know
- Why Does My Pregnant Belly Look Smaller Some Days?
- Can You Crack Your Back While Pregnant – Is It Safe?
- Pregnant and Scared of Life Changing – Guide to Overcome
