Where There Is No Doctor 2011 165
SINUS TROUBLE (SINUSITIS)
Sinusitis is an acute or chronic (long-term) inflammation of the sinuses or hollows in
the bone that open into the nose. It usually occurs after a person has had an infection
of the ears or throat, or after a bad cold.
Signs:
• Pain in the face above and below the eyes, here
(It hurts more when you tap lightly just over the
bones, or when the person bends over.)
• Thick mucus or pus in the nose, perhaps with a
bad smell. The nose is often stuffy.
• Fever (sometimes).
• Certain teeth may hurt.
Treatment:
♦ Drink a lot of water.
♦ Sniff a little salt water into the nose (see p. 164), or breathe steam from hot
water to clear the nose (see p. 168).
♦ Put hot compresses on the face.
♦ Use decongestant nose drops such as phenylephrine (Neo-synephrine, p. 383).
♦ Use an antibiotic such as tetracycline (p. 356), ampicillin (p. 352), or penicillin
(p. 352).
♦ If the person does not get better, seek medical help.
Prevention:
When you get a cold and a stuffy nose, try to keep your nose clear.
Follow the instructions on page 164.
HAY FEVER (ALLERGIC RHINITIS)
Runny nose and itchy eyes can be caused by an
allergic reaction to something in the air that a person
has breathed in (see the next page). It is often worse
at certain times of year.
Treatment:
Use an antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine
(p. 386). Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, p. 386),
usually sold for motion sickness, also works.
Prevention:
Find out what things cause this reaction (for
example: dust, chicken feathers, pollen, mold) and
try to avoid them.