I Have a Persistent Sinus Infection That Won't Go Away
Chronic sinus issues are frustrating. Here is what could be behind them.
A sinus infection that will not go away is called chronic sinusitis. Most cases are from inflammation, not cancer.
- Common causes include:
- Chronic rhinosinusitis β long-term inflammation of the sinuses, often without infection
- Allergies β ongoing allergic inflammation blocks sinus drainage
- Nasal polyps β soft, benign growths that block the sinuses
- Deviated septum β a crooked septum blocks sinus drainage on one side
- Fungal sinusitis β a fungal infection in the sinuses, more common in people with weakened immune systems
- Dental infection β a tooth abscess can spread to the maxillary sinus
- Sinus tumor β rare, but a growth in the sinus can cause persistent symptoms on one side
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Nasal congestion and discharge on both sides
- Facial pressure that gets better with sinus treatments
- Improves with antibiotics or steroid nasal sprays
- Comes and goes
- Worth having checked:
- Symptoms that are always on one side only
- One-sided nasal congestion with thick discharge
- Nosebleeds from the affected side
- Facial numbness or tooth numbness
- Double vision or bulging eye
- Swelling in the cheek or around the eye
- Symptoms that do not improve with multiple treatments
When to See a Doctor
- See an ENT doctor if:
- Your sinus infection symptoms have lasted more than 3β4 weeks despite treatment
- Symptoms are on one side only
- You have nosebleeds from one nostril
- You have facial numbness or tooth pain
- You have swelling around your eye
- You have changes in your vision