Chronic sinus infections/colds

[everprincess]

For those of you who know me are this board know that I suffer from chronic sinus infections & nasty colds. I get these especially when the weather changes suddenly or when I come in contact with someone else who has a cold. Anything that I can do to prevent this on my own? I take several vitamins daily since I'm anemia and wash my hands all the time (seriously I have to use lotion because they get so dry from washing them too much). Any advice is appreciated because I'm sick of already having this twice already in a matter of the last two months.

[abond0017]

I would be tempted to say you might actually have a problem with allergies. I was getting sick with sinus infections several times a year and once I started taking allergy meds they practically disappeared. A lot of the symptoms of allergies could be confused for cold symptoms. And I am a strong believer that weather fronts can bring allergens with them.

If you are sure you don't have allergies, then the only preventative I can think of is using a neti pot (with boiled water) morning and night when you get the slightest feeling of sinus problems. Heading off the few I have had since starting meds with a neti pot has kept them from getting too bad and they seem to resolve faster as well.

HTH!


ETA:
Also, if you are sure you are getting colds...try to be very mindful of putting your fingers on your face (pretty much anywhere near your mouth, eyes, nose). Even if you wash you hands a lot, you are still touching a ton of possibly contaminated surfaces all day, and just rubbing your eyes could infect you.

[CW&M Mom]

Have you done allergy testing?

Allergy shots?

It's actually better to prevent colds to use purell type products then washing your hands..not only does it kill the viruses better it's actually less damaging to your hands.

From Wikepedia:

Despite common perceptions, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are well-adapted to the skin. Use of alcohol-based hand gels dries skin less, (significantly decreases epidermis water content), than hand washing with soap and water.

Also from Wikepdia:

The Centers for Disease Control says the most important way to prevent the transmission of dangerous diseases is to frequently wash your hands with soap and water and/or use a hand sanitizer. If soap and water are not available it is recommended to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol or contains a "persistent antiseptic" such as SHBAN Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer with povidone-iodine.[16][17] Alcohol rubs kill many different kinds of bacteria, including antibiotic resistant bacteria and TB bacteria. It also has high viricidal activity against many different kinds of viruses, including enveloped viruses such as the flu virus, the common cold virus, and HIV, though is notably ineffective against the rabies virus.[18] [19] [20] Alcohol rub sanitizers are not very effective against Norovirus (winter vomiting virus) unless they are combined with benzalkonium chloride in a hand sanitizer.[21] Alcohol rubs also kill fungi.[22] University of Virginia Medical School researchers concluded that hand sanitizing is more effective against fighting the common cold than hand washing.[23] Alcohol kills both pathogenic (disease causing) microorganisms as well as resident bacterial flora, which generally do not cause illness. [24] Research shows that alcohol hand sanitizers do not pose any risk by eliminating "good" germs that are naturally present on the skin. The body quickly replenishes the good germs on the hands, often moving them in from just up the arms where there are fewer harmful germs.[25] Alcohol also strips the skin of the outer layer of oil, which may have negative effects on barrier function of the skin. However, washing with detergents, such as commonly used hand soaps, results in a greater barrier disruption of skin compared to alcohol solutions, suggesting an increased loss of skin lipids.[26] [27]
According to Rotter (1999), “alcohol rubs are approximately 100 times more effective against viruses than any form of hand washing”. Isopropyl alcohol will instantly kill 99.99 percent or more of all non-spore forming bacteria in less than 30 seconds, both in the laboratory and on human skin.[16][28] A controlled study of 200 workers at FedEx in 2004 showed that placing hand sanitizer dispensers in an office and educating workers about their use resulted in a 21% reduction in absenteeism.[29] Controlled studies showed an even greater reduction in absenteeism (51%) in elementary schools[30] and college dormitories (43%).[31]

**one note..if someone in the household has stomach flu, or your leaving a bathroom at a store..ect..WASH HANDS, not use hand sanitizer unless that is your only option (I do both).



What we have done with my daughter to help combat sinus infections:

She uses zyrtec 365 days a year.
We treat her for reflux (zantac) as well.
We are also starting allergy shots.

When she gets home from school, she strips and takes a shower. Anytime we leave a store..we instantly have her put hand sanitizier on. Same with school. She never uses a drinking fountain..we have her bring bottled water.

I agree that neti pots can be helpful..although they should really only be used with sterile water..which is next to impossible to get. The closest you can get to sterile water is distilled water that you boil for 20 minutes (must boil for 20 minutes) at home. If you don't boil for 20 minutes you are just inviting bacteria back into your sinuses..let alone the amoeba's that have been in the news.


If you get another one ..I would suggest they culture it and find out what it's resistant to..it's possible that your getting the same sinus infection and it's not really clearing up, you get a new cold and it just flares up again. You can also ask for an ENT consult..and an ENT can discuss other options with you.

[tacatcon]

If this has been going on for years another thing to consider is whether there's an issue with your immune system. It could explain why you have the persistent sinus infections. People can have primary immune deficiencies for years and not be diagnosed.

Check out this page from the Immune Deficiency Foundation and if that sounds like you, bring it up to your doctor.

[clevermom2004]

I have bad allergies too. I suffer all year long:(. I make up some elderberry sryup. 1 Tablespoon/day prevents flu. 1tbsp if already sick / hour up to 1 cup /day. I am also allergic to perfume. any kind of high smell kicks my snot nose into gear. I have switched to dr.bronners sal suds to do my laundry and cleaning. Also use their bar soap for my hair and body. doesn't dry skin out. will not need lotion. If I have some chapped skin I put Dr. bronner's body balm on hands and face etc. That has really really helped me a ton. now if I could just everyone else to stop using hairspray and perfume so much I could go out more often . lol giggle wiggle

[clevermom2004]

oh ya forgot to add that tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial. I use Dr. Bronner's 18-1 tea tree soap with 10-20 drops of tea tree oil in it for hands , counter tops, door handles etc. with the tea tree it has to be 4% tea tree oil solution before it is antibacterial. I need to call their customer service to ask if just adding the 3tbsp / spray bottle is 4% without adding drops. Their customer service is awesome about answering you're question through email.

[Smee]

If you are sure you don't have allergies, then the only preventative I can think of is using a neti pot (with boiled water) morning and night when you get the slightest feeling of sinus problems. Heading off the few I have had since starting meds with a neti pot has kept them from getting too bad and they seem to resolve faster as well.

HTH!


ETA:
Also, if you are sure you are getting colds...try to be very mindful of putting your fingers on your face (pretty much anywhere near your mouth, eyes, nose). Even if you wash you hands a lot, you are still touching a ton of possibly contaminated surfaces all day, and just rubbing your eyes could infect you.

This is pretty much my experience. I'm very prone to sinus and upper respiratory infections. I've found that regular sinus irrigation has really decreased the frequency and severity. I also flush out my sinuses nightly if I've had to share space with someone who is horking and coughing. I also agree with being very mindful of hand to face contact. That's really tough for me because I work a job that blows a lot of debris in my face and I'm a constant eye rubber, but I try really hard to be mindful of contact. I still get the crud occasionally, but not as often as I used to. I try to beat it back as much as possible just because once it takes hold, I have a really hard time shaking it. I'm really sold on the neti pot, though. That seems to have helped me more than anything. Good luck.

[everprincess]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Guess I need to find a neti pot fast. I've infected more people at work it seems or this stuff is just a virus going round.

[JulieDB]

My guess would be allergies too.

I used to work at a job where I had to fold a lot of towels and break down boxes. I had chronic sinus and ear infections. The Dr. said for some reason my sinuses weren't draining. I would breathe this stuff up and it would stick there. He had me use a nasal douche (similar to a Neti pot), drink a ton of water first thing in the morning when I got up and then throughout the day, and gave me cortisone injections in the nose. Not only were these painful but they would restart my period every time. I wound up changing jobs and the problems were no longer chronic but...

We had extreme problems with rats, mice and pigeons in the building. And there was a very poor ventilation system. So I was still sick much of the time.

I finally quit that job when I got married. We moved to Cape Cod where pine pollen ruled! So my allergies worsened.

Moved to CA and had problems with whatever was in the air there.

Then to NY and developed new allergies to whatever was in the air there.

Then moved back here to WA. We to a Naturopath and discovered that I had IgG food allergies with egg being the worst.

Come to find out that although I do have enviromental allergies, the ones giving me the worst problems are the food ones! I used to have to keep tissues everywhere. Literally a box in every room, in my vehicles, more in my purse. I was constantly having to blow my nose. Well... All that has stopped! Yes, I still use tissues but not nearly to the extent I was before. I realize now that I am using...say...one box now when I was using 10/12 before in the same amount of time. It was that severe!

I did also have immune issues and would get anything and everything that was going around. I take a ton of supplements. I ran my diet through a checker to find out what I was lacking. Because of medical problems I can't necessarily eat a perfectly balanced diet. So I take whatever vitamins are lacking. I take extra D3. I also take Cat's Claw, Oil of Oregano, Grapefruit Oil, IgG and when I am exposed to colds or flu I add Elderberry.

I have had precious few colds for the past two years. Had one this year that lasted maybe three days. I did also take some Airborne at the first sniffle. I think I had maybe one cold last year. And the flu once. I buy most of my supplements online at Swanson's. They seem to have the best price.