Sinusitis can begin with a cold, allergies, or any other condition that causes nasal passages to swell. When these narrow nasal passages swell, they block mucus and keep it from draining properly. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say that creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which causes sinusitis. You'll know you have sinusitis if your congestion doesn't go away, if you have pain or pressure in your cheeks, thick yellow drainage and a low-grade fever. Then you should see your doctor.
Antibiotics can clear up sinusitis by killing bacteria that cause it.
You can help prevent sinusitis from developing when you have a cold or allergies. Taking decongestant medication helps keep nasal passages open, allowing mucus to drain. UT Southwestern doctors say antihistamines may not be a good idea because they can dry nasal secretions, making them thicker and less likely to drain. Be careful about using decongestant sprays, though. These can be addictive, and they often cause a rebound effect with continued use, where tissues swell up even worse when the spray wears off, making you need even more spray to keep passages open.