STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

alb · Marc Jacobs

Recurrent sinus infections, uggh

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I feel for you, alb! I usually get 2 or 3 sinus infections a year. I must have lousy sinus passages or something. I have yet to have one yet this winter, so knock on wood.

I think I would advise you to go to an ENT doc. I don't think it has anything to do with your tonsils though, unless every time you have these colds they get incredibly swollen? One of my friends had her tonsils out a year or two, and prior to that she was sick all the time, and she could actually feel her tonsils pressed against the back of her tongue. Having your tonsils out is not an easy procedure - it's incredibly painful to go through as an adult.

I know you said seeing a doctor in Turkey is an ordeal, but it you've had this many colds/sinus infections in such a short span of time, I would go see one. They may have been caused by flying so much - planes are like petri dishes of germs, IMO.

-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Monday 7th of February 2011 10:11:14 AM

Hermes

I used to get sick from planes really easily. For me, keeping my hands clean and not touching my face has reduced the frequency. However, there's not too much you can do when you're bottled up with a bunch of sick people and recycled air on a plane.

As for getting your tonsils out, it wouldn't hurt to look into whether or not that will reduce your tendency to catch viruses and ultimately develop sinus infections.

Hope you feel better soon!

Boots · Gucci

I agree. It's so easy to get sick from a plane. And the air pressure changes from flying are probably not helping your sinuses either.

Hope you feel better soon.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

This happened to me between November and January. It sucked! At the end of the third one, I was so afraid I was going to get another that I just made a point to eat a zinc lozenge every morning. I figured, if I missed the earliest signs of another SI, I would at least have already started the stream of zinc.

I didn't get a fourth, but I think it was because I moved to a much more humid climate. My recommendation would be to make sure you keep the humidity level as high as possible (and comfortable). Drink lots of fluids. Keep your hands off your face. Wash your hands often.

I really think the key is the humidity. My sinuses were irritated, then the dryness would lead to a tiny nosebleed, all that mucus in there was still discolored, and another SI would start up.

Good luck.

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

This happened to me in 2009. I had about 4 sinus infections in the span of a couple of months. My tonsils ended up coming out and I haven't had a sinus infection since *knock wood*. My tonsils were HUGE and they were the cause of the infections indirectly because (sorry TMI) my mucous would get stuck/stagnant and cause an infection my sinuses. It was a horrible surgery to recover from but I'm so glad I did it.

alb · Marc Jacobs

wetbandit42 wrote:

I feel for you, alb! I usually get 2 or 3 sinus infections a year. I must have lousy sinus passages or something. I have yet to have one yet this winter, so knock on wood.

I think I would advise you to go to an ENT doc. I don't think it has anything to do with your tonsils though, unless every time you have these colds they get incredibly swollen? One of my friends had her tonsils out a year or two, and prior to that she was sick all the time, and she could actually feel her tonsils pressed against the back of her tongue. Having your tonsils out is not an easy procedure - it's incredibly painful to go through as an adult.

I know you said seeing a doctor in Turkey is an ordeal, but it you've had this many colds/sinus infections in such a short span of time, I would go see one. They may have been caused by flying so much - planes are like petri dishes of germs, IMO.

-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Monday 7th of February 2011 10:11:14 AM

Thanks for your response, wetbandit. I think I will go to an ENT doctor, although I'm feeling a bit better now. It would be worth it jsut to see if there is an underlying cause of all these sinus infections. Good to know about the tonsils. I hope I don't have to have them out then!

alb · Marc Jacobs

Boots and D - I think travelling has a lot to do with it but there's got to be more to it than that. I'm just getting too many. But I agree, that recycled air is a breeding ground for germs, yuck. I don't think any amt of hand sanitizer can keekp one immune! Pollyjean - that's interesting about the humidity levels. I'll have to look into that.

Nunzi - how did you know your tonsils were huge? did the doc give you a choice to have them removed? were you always getting sore throats? i get a sore throat with every single minor or major cold, flu, etc. my throat is always the most effected. my sinuses (or the area under my eyes) don't even hurt, just my throat yet it is a sinus infection. i'm wondering if i might have to go the sugery route - although no way to tell if they're swollen or huge. i guess an ent doctor can though. thanks. I think i'll either go now even if i keep getting better just to get an opinion or wait 4 mos. until i move back to the US.

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

alb - you could just tell my tonsils were huge from looking down my throat. They weren't inflamed, they were just naturally really large (like the size of walnuts). They have always been big. I got a lot of strep throat as a kid, and a few times as an adult and have had bouts of chronic sinus infections for years. This is seriously the longest I have gone without getting a sinus infection (again *knock wood*). An ENT will let you know the best route for you. Immediately upon looking at my tonsils the ENT suggested surgery. It can be a dangerous surgery though to don't take it lightly

alb · Marc Jacobs

Okay, thanks, Nunzi. that's helpful. I'm going to an ENT then.

Suasoria · Chanel

With all the stress and traveling going on lately, I'm sure your immune system/defenses are down. Hopefully things are getting better...in the meantime, colorful veggies, vitamin C, herb tea. It may not help but it can't hurt.

And of course...rest!

Lil Red · Nine West

If you haven't tried a neti pot, I would highly recommend it.