Print OverviewAcute sinusitis causes the spaces inside your nose (sinuses) to become inflamed and swollen. This interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up. With acute sinusitis, it might be difficult to breathe through your nose. The area around your eyes and face might feel swollen, and you might have throbbing facial pain or a headache. Acute sinusitis is mostly caused by the common cold. Unless a bacterial infection develops, most cases resolve within a week to 10 days. Home remedies may be all you need to treat acute sinusitis. Sinusitis that lasts more than 12 weeks despite medical treatment is called chronic sinusitis. Products & ServicesAllergy and Sinus Solutions from Mayo Clinic StoreAssortment of Health Products from Mayo Clinic StoreBook: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsAcute sinusitis signs and symptoms often include: Thick, yellow or greenish mucus from the nose (runny nose) or down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage) Blocked or stuffy nose (congestion) causing difficulty breathing through your nose Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that worsens when bending over Other signs and symptoms include: Ear pressure Headache Aching in your teeth Altered sense of smell Cough Bad breath Fatigue Fever When to see a doctorMost people with acute sinusitis don't need to see a doctor. Contact your doctor if you have any of the following: Symptoms that last more than a week or so Symptoms that worsen after seeming to improve A persistent fever A history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis See a doctor immediately if you have signs or symptoms that may indicate a serious infection: Pain, swelling or redness around your eyes High fever Confusion Double vision or other vision changes Stiff neck Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Causes Healthy sinuses Enlarge image Close Healthy sinuses Healthy sinuses Sinuses are cavities around nasal passages. If the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, a person may develop sinusitis. Acute sinusitis Enlarge image Close Acute sinusitis Acute sinusitis Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold. Signs and symptoms may include a blocked and stuffy (congested) nose, which may block your sinuses and prevent drainage of mucus. Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold, which is an infection with a virus. In some cases, an infection with bacteria develops.More InformationSinus infection and toothache: Any connection? Risk factorsYou may be at increased risk of getting sinusitis if you have: Hay fever or another allergic condition that affects your sinuses A common cold that affects your sinuses A nasal passage abnormality, such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or tumors A medical condition such as cystic fibrosis or an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS Exposure to smoke, either from smoking or through secondhand smoke exposure ComplicationsAcute sinusitis complications are uncommon, and serious complications are rare. If they occur, complications might include: Chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis may be a flare-up of a long-term problem known as chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis lasts longer than 12 weeks. Meningitis. This infection causes inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Other infections. Uncommonly, an infection can spread to the bones (osteomyelitis) or skin (cellulitis). Vision problems. If the infection spreads to your eye socket, it can cause reduced vision or even blindness that can be permanent. PreventionTake these steps to help reduce your risk of getting acute sinusitis: Avoid upper respiratory infections. Try to stay away from people who have colds or who are sick with other infections. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before your meals. Manage your allergies. Work with your doctor to keep symptoms under control. Avoid cigarette smoke and polluted air. Tobacco smoke and other pollutants can irritate and inflame your lungs and nasal passages. Use a humidifier. If the air in your home is dry, such as it is if you have forced-air heat, adding moisture to the air may help prevent sinusitis. Be sure the humidifier stays clean and free of mold with regular, thorough cleaning. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Aug. 27, 2021 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references AskMayoExpert. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Mayo Clinic; 2020. Bennett JE, et al., eds. Sinusitis. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2015. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 30, 2019. Sinusitis. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/sinusitis. Accessed March 9, 2021. Sinus infection (sinusitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sinus-infection.html. Accessed March 9, 2021. Wyler B, et al. Sinusitis update. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2019;37:41. Ferri FF. Reye's syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2019. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 12, 2019. Sinupret + by Bionorica AG. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed May 12, 2019. European elder. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/euroelder. Accessed April 30, 2019. AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, 2017-2018. Pediatrics. 2017; doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2550. Sullivan JE, et al. Clinical report — Fever and antipyretic use in children. Pediatrics. 2011; doi:10.1542/peds.2010-3852. Reaffirmed July 2016. 314 labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=76be002fc0488562bf61609b21a6b11e&mc=true&node=se21.4.201_1314&rgn=div8. Accessed Feb. 22, 2018. Renaud DL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 27, 2018. Related Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help? Sinus infection and toothache: Any connection? Sinusitis and tooth pain Associated Procedures Allergy skin tests CT scan MRI News from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Q and A: Sinusitis and treatment options Oct. 02, 2022, 11:00 a.m. CDT Products & Services Allergy and Sinus Solutions from Mayo Clinic Store Assortment of Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Acute sinusitisSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentDoctors & departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – Future Care - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Future CareMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20164008 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Acute sinusitis
There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry