To wash your hands properly, first wet them with water, then apply soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you wash between your fingers, under your nails, and both the front and back of your hands. Then rinse and dry your hands on a clean towel. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Avoid touching your face when you’re out in public, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Always wash your hands before eating, especially if you eat with your hands (such as pizza or hot dogs). Don’t go overboard on the hand sanitizer, because it can promote the growth of antibacterial-immune microorganisms. [5] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source
Avoid colas and energy drinks — they can promote dehydration because caffeine is a diuretic (triggers more urination). Limit coffee and black tea intake. [7] X Research source During the winter months, your sinus membranes can become very dry due to the extreme aridity of your home. Adding moisture to the air via a humidifier may help prevent sinusitis. [8] X Research source [9] X Research source Make sure the air is a cold, not warm — warm humidified air can cause bacterial growth in the humidifier, making you feel worse. [10] X Research source
Be careful not to over-use antihistamines for your allergies because they can cause your mucus membranes to get too dry. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Check with a physician before starting or stopping medication. An allergic reaction and a sinus infection can cause similar symptoms (stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, watery eyes, sneezing), but sinusitis is invariably more painful, causes a mild fever and leads to greenish or gray mucus discharge from the nose.
Cigarette smokers develop more respiratory infections (upper in the sinuses and lower in the lungs) than non-smokers. Secondhand smoke, in particular, is a significant risk factor for sinus and lung infections in children. [14] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Never smoke around children, who are unable to understand the risks. Pet fur and dander can aggravate allergies. Remember to dust and vacuum your home regularly, so your nasal passages don’t get irritated.
Always feed your baby/infant/child while he is sitting upright in order to prevent food from going places it shouldn’t. Although 90% of sinus infections in adults are caused by viruses (often the common cold), only about 60% are viral in infants and children. [16] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source The other 40% are bacterial, which readily take advantage of feeding mishaps.
Getting more sleep (or better quality sleep) (at least 7. 5 to nine hours), eating more fresh fruits and veggies, practicing good hygiene, keeping well-hydrated and getting regular exercise are all ways to boost immunity. [18] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source Pay attention to dietary factors. Your immune function will also benefit by cutting down on refined sugars (soda pop, candy, pastries, cakes, cookies, ice cream, milk chocolate), cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking. Supplements that can boost your immune system include: vitamins C and D, zinc, selenium, echinacea, olive leaf extract and astragalus root. [19] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source To go one better than supplements, get your vitamins from your diet in the form of oranges, papayas, grapefruit, and leafy greens.
Effective stress-relieving practices include meditation, yoga, tai chi and deep breathing exercises. Sometimes changing jobs and/or personal relationships are the best forms of stress relief. Talk to a licensed counselor if you need advice and guidance. In addition to emotional stress, immunity is negatively impacted by physical stressors, such as being overweight, not eating well (malnourishment), dealing with other diseases (diabetes, chronic infections) and exposure to toxins.
Speak with your doctor before attempting to cleanse your sinuses. Put some saline solution in a spray bottle and spray it into your nostrils, but make sure you sniff / snort it up into your sinuses. Consider doing this a few times weekly during the cold / flu season (between December and February in the U. S. ) for prevention. As an alternative, put saline solution into a Neti pot and pour it into your nasal passages through your nostrils. Neti pots look like small tea pots and are commonly used in India and Asia to clean / disinfect nasal passages. Search the internet for how-to videos.
