How to find relief for dry, painful nasal and sinus passages.

Posted by swanson41 @swanson41, 6 days ago

My nasal/sinus passages have become dry and painful (burning feeling) after exposure to even small amounts of many everyday and commonly encountered smells. I have tried wearing a mask and using nasal mists, but nothing seems to completely calm the burning sensation. A neti pot routine relieves the burning some (for a while), but I haven't tried anything that relieves the pain for more than a brief time. My doctor prescribed a methylprednisone pack, but that only worsened my intolerance and pain, so I couldn't complete the entire 6 day course. Has anyone experienced this and if so has a suggestion?

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jc76 | @jc76 | 5 days ago

@swanson41
Do you have access to an Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist?

Where do you live? Are you in a dry humidity state? If so going to have dry sinuses. If it is dry humidity you may need to do nasal rinse more but talk to your doctor about that. Those dry sinuses can cause pain and sores.

My ENT put me on a medication that is supposed to reduce irritation in my sinuses. It seems to work and calm them down. Your doctor put you on prednisone which is a pill and affects all your body with a steroid. There are many medication out there that are steroids that can be sprayed directly into sinuses. Have you had allergy tests?

I have had 3 sinus surgeries many years ago but have sinuistis and see a ENT every 6 months at Mayo Jacksonville.

jackielb | @jackielb | 4 days ago

What med did your doctor prescribe?

jc76 | @jc76 | 4 days ago

In reply to @jackielb "What med did your doctor prescribe?" + (show)

@jackielb
It is called Azelastine Hydrochloride Nasal Spray.

Per my ENT it is supposed to help with irritation in the sinuses. It is prescription so would need to discuss with your doctors.

Good luck!

swanson41 | @swanson41 | 2 days ago

In reply to @jc76 "@swanson41 Do you have access to an Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist? Where do you live? Are you in..." + (show)

@jc76 I'm seeing an ENT specialist next week so allergy tests may be the next step. The climate is not particularly dry where I live and I have never had problems with allergies. I was prescribed Azelastine Hydrochloride spray which seemed to irritate, not sooth, my nasal passages; but I have found that OTC nasal mist is somewhat soothing. Prednisone seemed to bring about more nasal/sinus pain and also brain confusion.

jc76 | @jc76 | 1 day ago

In reply to @swanson41 "@jc76 I'm seeing an ENT specialist next week so allergy tests may be the next step...." + (show)

@swanson41
Good luck at ENT. Ensure you discuss all your symptoms and what seems to help.

I use the nasal mist too. However, I found doing nasal rinses (the one where you squeeze the bottle in one side of nose and runs out the other) really comforting to my sinuses.