When Malaysians say they have "sinus", they usually mean sinusitis: swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection after a cold or flu, which causes pain around the cheeks, eyes or forehead, a blocked nose (hidung tersumbat) and green or yellow mucus. Sinusitis usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks. Rest, fluids, painkillers and rinsing the nose with salt water help, and a pharmacist can suggest a steroid nasal spray. Antibiotics are rarely needed because most sinusitis is caused by a virus. See a doctor if it does not improve after 3 weeks, keeps coming back or only affects one side of your face, and get urgent advice if you are very unwell.
What is sinus (sinusitis)?
The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of your nose. According to the NHS, sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. The swollen lining stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, which makes you feel blocked up.
Sinusitis is common, especially after a cold or flu, and usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks. In everyday Malaysian conversation, "sinus" is often used to mean this condition, and sometimes for any long-lasting blocked or runny nose.
What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?
According to the NHS, the main symptoms of sinusitis are:
- pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead;
- a blocked or runny nose;
- a reduced sense of smell;
- green or yellow mucus from your nose;
- a high temperature.
Other symptoms include a headache, toothache, bad breath, a cough and a feeling of pressure in the ears. You may also snore at night and sound nasal when you speak. Young children may be irritable, have difficulty feeding and breathe through their mouth.
Sinus, resdung or selsema?
A blocked nose can come from sinusitis, an allergy or a cold. This table, based on NHS information, shows the main differences:
| Sinus (sinusitis) | Resdung (allergic rhinitis) | Selsema (common cold) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | Swelling of the sinuses, usually from an infection after a cold or flu | An allergy to a trigger such as dust mites | A virus |
| Typical signs | Face pain or pressure, green or yellow mucus, reduced sense of smell | Sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, starts within minutes of exposure | Sore throat, sneezing, blocked or runny nose |
| How long | Usually clears within 4 weeks | Comes back whenever you are exposed | Usually 1 to 2 weeks |
See our guides to resdung and selsema. Mucus dripping down the back of the throat can also cause a cough; see our guide to batuk and kahak.
Cara hilangkan hidung tersumbat: what helps at home?
You can usually treat mild sinusitis yourself. The NHS recommends:
- getting plenty of rest;
- drinking plenty of fluids;
- taking paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain (do not give aspirin to children under 16);
- avoiding things that trigger your allergies;
- not smoking;
- cleaning your nose with a salt water solution (see below).
If you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough for your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
How do you do a sinus rinse?
Rinsing the inside of your nose with salt water can help clear mucus. According to the NHS:
- Boil about 570 ml (1 pint) of water, then leave it to cool.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.
- Wash your hands.
- Stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it.
- Sniff the water into one nostril at a time, breathing through your mouth and letting it pour back into the sink. Try not to let it go down the back of your throat.
- Repeat up to 3 times a day, making a fresh solution each time, until your nose feels more comfortable.
Ready-made saline sprays and sinus rinse kits are also available from pharmacies. Always use boiled and cooled water or a ready-made solution, not water straight from the tap.
Which sinus medicines help?
According to the NHS, a pharmacist can give the same treatments as a doctor for sinusitis in adults and children aged 12 and over. If treatment is needed, options include:
- steroid nasal sprays or drops to reduce swelling in the sinuses; you may need to use these for a few months;
- antihistamines, if an allergy is causing your symptoms.
Decongestant nasal sprays can unblock your nose for a short time, but the NHS advises not using them for more than 5 days, as longer use can make a blocked nose worse. They should not be used by children under 6.
Do you need antibiotics for sinusitis?
Antibiotics are rarely needed, because sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, not bacteria. A 2018 Cochrane review of 15 trials with 3,057 people found that:
- without antibiotics, 46% of people were cured after 1 week and 64% after 14 days;
- antibiotics helped only 5 to 11 more people in every 100 get better faster;
- but 13 more people in every 100 had side effects from antibiotics.
A doctor may still prescribe antibiotics in some cases. If you are prescribed them, finish the course as directed.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor, according to the NHS, if you or your child have sinusitis symptoms and:
- you do not get better after 7 days of treatment from a pharmacist or doctor;
- you do not get better after 3 weeks of treating it yourself;
- you keep getting sinusitis;
- your child is aged 11 or younger.
Get urgent medical advice if you are very unwell, painkillers do not help or symptoms get worse, or you have a weakened immune system, for example because of chemotherapy.
A doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist if you still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment, keep getting it, or only have symptoms on one side of your face. For long-lasting (chronic) sinusitis, an ENT surgeon may suggest an operation called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to widen the sinuses.
Headaches are common with sinusitis; for other causes of headache, see our guide to migrain.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is sinus in Malay usage?
In Malaysia, people often say they have sinus when they mean sinusitis: swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection after a cold or flu. The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose. When the lining swells, mucus cannot drain and you feel blocked up.
What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?
The main symptoms are pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead, a blocked or runny nose, a reduced sense of smell, green or yellow mucus, and a high temperature. You may also have a headache, toothache, bad breath, a cough, or a feeling of pressure in your ears.
How long does sinusitis last?
Sinusitis usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks. In a Cochrane review of trials, about half of people with sinusitis were better after 1 week and nearly two-thirds after 2 weeks without antibiotics. See a doctor if it does not improve after 3 weeks of self-care or keeps coming back.
How do I get rid of a blocked nose (cara hilangkan hidung tersumbat)?
Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, avoid smoking and allergy triggers, and rinse your nose with a salt water solution up to 3 times a day. A pharmacist can suggest a steroid nasal spray. Decongestant sprays can help for a short time, but should not be used for more than 5 days.
Do I need antibiotics for sinusitis?
Usually not, because sinusitis is usually caused by a virus. A Cochrane review found that antibiotics helped only 5 to 11 more people in every 100 get better faster, while 13 more in every 100 had side effects. A doctor will decide whether you need them.
Is a sinus rinse safe?
Rinsing your nose with salt water is a simple self-care step recommended by the NHS for sinusitis. Use water that has been boiled and cooled, or a ready-made saline rinse from a pharmacy, make a fresh solution each time, and try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.
When is sinusitis serious?
Get urgent medical advice if you are very unwell, painkillers do not help or your symptoms are getting worse, or you have a weakened immune system. See a doctor if symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of self-care, keep coming back, or only affect one side of your face, or if a child aged 11 or under has sinusitis symptoms.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Sinusitis (sinus infection) — NHS
- Allergic rhinitis — NHS (decongestant spray advice)
- Lemiengre MB, van Driel ML, Merenstein D, et al. Antibiotics for acute rhinosinusitis in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;9(9):CD006089.
