Allergy season is upon us once again, and for many people, that means bouts of sinus problems. Before taking the plethora of sinus medications out there, try some non-medicinal home remedies. Be sure to check with your doctor first!

• Avoid Triggers - Avoid allergens, like pollen, dust, fur and dirt, which enter your nasal cavity and often cause sinus problems. Certain foods, like dairy products, can also increase mucous production, so if you notice yourself more clogged up after eating, it’s best to not eat those foods until you are symptom free.
• Use A Neti Pot - A neti pot is a device that looks like a teapot and is used for nasal irrigation. You fill the neti pot with a warm saline solution, then put the tip of the pot into one nostril, tip your head slightly, and let the solution flow through the nasal cavities and out the other nostril. In doing so, you flush out allergens, mucous and other irritants, as well as moisturize your sinuses. It’s not as scary as it sounds! To see how it’s done, check out various YouTube videos on the subject. You can do it at home with non-iodized salt and tap water, or buy saline packets at a drug store. Tip Diva uses NeilMed NasaFlo Neti Pot.
• Use Saline Nasal Spray - Saline nasal spray, which can be found cheaply at your local pharmacy, helps keep your nose and sinuses moist, and may help alleviate stuffiness and sinus pressure.
• Get Plenty Of Rest - If you’re sick, you’re not going to fully recuperate unless you rest. So lay back and relax! For more, see Top Ten Tips - Healing While Sick.
• Give Yourself A Sinus Massage - Putting finger pressure on key nasal points on your face may also help relive sinus symptoms. Natural Solutions has some good tips on giving yourself a head massage for sinusitis.
• Use Hot Compresses On Your Chest - Rub some Vicks Vapo Rub or a similar product on your chest, and then cover it with a towel. Then put a moist, hot towel (wet a towel and put it in the microwave for two minutes - watch, it will be hot to the touch, so handle carefully!) on top of that towel. If it’s too hot on your chest, double up the towel underneath so that you can feel heat, but not burning. Tip Diva’s mother has used this remedy for years!
• Alternate Hot And Cold Compresses On Your Face- Additionally, you can alternate hot and cold wash cloth compresses on your face (only hot tap water is needed, but make sure wash cloth is not too hot as to burn you). Put the hot compress on your face for three minutes, then switch it with a cold compress for 30 seconds. Alternate for a total of three rounds, up to six times per day.
• Take A Hot Shower Or Bath - Taking a hot shower or bath - as warm as you can stand it - will let you breathe in some steam and feel some relief. Adding drops of menthol, camphor or eucalyptus essential oils to the bathwater may help. If you use a shower, try Sudacare Shower Soothers, but they’re only effective if you have a small shower where a lot of the steam cannot escape.
• Use A Room Humidifier - Dry rooms do not help sinus problems, so try using a warm or cool-mist humidifier, especially as you sleep.
• Boil A Pot Of Water And Breathe In - Another effective way to breath in steam is to boil a pot of water, drape a towel over your head, then put your face over the pot (not close enough that you burn yourself from the steam). The towel helps trap the steam and keep it concentrated as you breathe it in. A drop of the above essential oils may offer additional relief.

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