Symptoms can be relieved with a saline spray, a lavage, or with a humidifier. Steroids may also be used to help decrease the swelling, especially in patients with swollen structures, such as nasal polyps, or allergies.
Antibiotic treatment aims at curing the disease.
Other antibiotics may be used depending on the type of bacteria. Acute sinusitis should be treated for 10 to 14 days, while chronic sinusitis should be treated for 3 to 4 weeks. Antibiotics are given if the infection is bacterial. Topical decongestants should be stopped as soon as possible because chronic or long term use can cause more damage. Mild analgesics may be used for pain.