Pharmacy First – Sinusitis

If you want to take advantage of this free, NHS service, book an appointment here:

https://www.pierremontpharmacy.com/book-an-appointment

Or pop in and speak to a member of our pharmacy team.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

• Pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
• A blocked or runny nose
• A reduced sense of smell
• Green or yellow mucus from your nose
• A high temperature

Less common symptoms:

• A headache
• Toothache
• Bad breath
• A cough
• A feeling of pressure in the ears

Symptoms of sinusitis will continue for up to four weeks. In some instances, they can last longer than four weeks, even beyond three months! This is known as chronic sinusitis i.e. the condition does not resolve spontaneously after the typical four-week period. In these rare cases when sinusitis becomes chronic (long-term) you will be referred to a specialist to treat the condition.

Treatment options for Sinusitis

There is a variety of treatment options available to patients suffering from sinusitis:

• Over-the-counter medication
• Prescription nasal spray & drops
• Antibiotics
• Surgical treatments

Antihistamines, available over the counter, are often highly effective in reducing symptoms. Additionally, our pharmacist might recommend decongestant medication. Decongestants provide short-term, temporary relief from symptoms of sinusitis like a blocked nose and swelling. However, it's important to note that not all over-the-counter medications will be appropriate for all patients. Certain underlying health conditions like hypertension could be impacted by certain medications. Thus, it is crucial that you consult with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before taking any OTC medication.

Nasal sprays can come in four types:

• Antihistamine Sprays
• Decongestant Sprays
• Corticosteroid Sprays
• Saline Sprays

Certain nasal sprays are accessible from over the counter, whilst others need a prescription. Among these options are corticosteroid nasal sprays which help reduce swelling and inflammation in the sinuses thereby easing the associated symptoms. This form of treatment can be prescribed through the free NHS Pharmacy First service that we provide at Pierremont Pharmacy:

Book an appointment or pop in and speak to a member of our pharmacy team:

Complications of Sinusitis

Sinusitis can lead to various complications, particularly more prevalent in children. One such example is cellulitis which can arise from sinusitis. This manifests as a swelling around the cheekbone or eyelid. This complication can be potentially serious and if you suspect that cellulitis has developed in you or a relative you must speak to a GP or possibly a specialist for treatment. Cellulitis falls outside of the scope of Pharmacy First so cannot be treated by our pharmacist. Instead, you will be directed to a GP or ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) specialist.

Another possible complication of Sinusitis is the infection spreading to adjacent bone. Whilst this is exceedingly rare: the NHS reports about 1 out of 10,000 people, have sinusitis spread to nearby bone. Usually, appropriate antibiotics will stop the spread and prevent this complication.

To be clear you must be treated with antibiotics before the infection spreads and takes hold.  Left untreated there is a significant health risk.

Who is most at risk?

Certain groups of people are at a heightened risk of developing sinusitis.

Babies and Children: We have briefly mentioned that children generally contract this condition more often than adults. A contributing factor to this is children’s poor hygiene. Generally, babies and young children are at a higher risk of contracting bacterial infections across the board. However, some other groups of people that have an increased risk of developing sinusitis are:

Asthmatics and those with similar health conditions. (children with asthma more so!) People with moderate to severe asthma are more susceptible to chronic sinusitis, thus making the symptoms of both conditions more difficult to manage. Such cases can become trapped in a cycle of asthma leaving them vulnerable to sinusitis, then sinusitis worsening the symptoms of their asthma.

People with Allergies: Those with allergies are also more vulnerable to sinusitis. Hay fever, which is an allergic reaction to pollen. Can induce cold-like symptoms and make a sufferer more susceptible to sinusitis due to potential inflammation of the sinuses.

Additionally, those with nasal structure abnormalities are at an increased risk of sinusitis. Conditions such as a deviated septum or narrow nasal passages can make you more susceptible to sinusitis and other nasal infections. Nasal polyps which are growths inside the nose also create a similarly higher risk of developing sinusitis.

Lastly, smokers face a significantly elevated risk of developing sinusitis. Smoking damages the respiratory system disrupting the normal function of the sinuses rendering smokers more vulnerable not only to this condition but also to other respiratory conditions.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. If you notice symptoms, you think could be related to sinusitis, simply book a consultation with our pharmacy team and we’ll address it quickly. No need to bother the GP!

https://www.pierremontpharmacy.com/book-an-appointment

How can NHS Pharmacy First help me? 

Sinusitis is a problematic condition, and it's very common, but now there’s an NHS Pharmacy First treatment. Pharmacy First provides immediate advice and treatment directly from your local community pharmacy. Better yet, it’s a FREE, NHS service! Sinusitis is one of the seven conditions covered by NHS Pharmacy First. Pierremont Pharmacy can now provide more support to our local community saving many people the frustration of seeking a GP appointment. It will also free up local GPs to see those patients who desperately need them. We hope in the future to be able to support our patients with even more health problems as the service develops.

If you want to book a Pharmacy First consultation, book online here or pop into Pierremont Pharmacy and speak to a member of the pharmacy team:



https://www.pierremontpharmacy.com/book-an-appointment

Conclusion

Sinusitis is a common condition that although not serious, can (rarely) lead to serious complications. So, it’s important to address this if symptoms become significant. Maintaining good hygiene is always a good idea, and reassuringly most cases of sinusitis resolve spontaneously and uneventfully. If that is not the case then you may be prescribed over-the-counter medication which will address troublesome symptoms... and now, through NHS Pharmacy First, you can access prescription-strength medication and healthcare without needing a GP appointment.

Pharmacy First to the Rescue??