Sinusitis has an extensive clinical picture and symptoms. Its treatment involves an integrated approach that includes a number of measures, such as antibiotic therapy, the use of drugs to relieve pain and other symptoms of the disease. In acute cases, a puncture of the accessory sinuses is used to remove pus. However, people often want to cure maxillary sinusitis with simple methods, so they are interested in whether it is possible to warm their nose with sinusitis.
Is warming effective and when can it be used?
Among otolaryngologists, the use of such a physiotherapeutic method as warming the nose with sinusitis remains a controversial issue. According to some doctors, it is undesirable to heat the affected sinus, since bacteria do not die at temperatures below 90 degrees, but only multiply more actively. Others argue that warming up with sinusitis can be very useful under certain conditions, namely at the initial stage of the disease and at the stage of recovery.
In modern medical practice, heating with dry heat is prescribed in such cases:
- with chronic sinusitis during remission;
- at the initial (catarrhal) stage of viral sinusitis in 1-3 days;
- at the stage of recovery in acute maxillary sinusitis, after the symptoms subside and the accumulation of pus stops.
It is necessary to determine whether it is possible to warm sinusitis, and to prescribe a physiotherapy procedure, the attending physician must necessarily based on an analysis of the general condition of the patient and the dynamics of the development of the disease. The optimum temperature for heating is 40-43 degrees. At the same time, mucous membranes and cell membranes will be restored faster, damaged vessels will regenerate.
Contraindications for warming up and possible complications
It is necessary to warm up the nose with sinusitis with caution, since there are a number of conditions that make this procedure not only undesirable, but also dangerous to health.
- The acute stage of sinusitis, in which the pathogenic microflora actively multiplies in the sinus. An increase in tissue temperature will accelerate this process and lead to the rapid spread of the pathogen to neighboring organs. This is especially dangerous if the causative agents of the disease are Haemophilus influenzae, meningococci or fungi.
- Chronic sinusitis during an exacerbation.
- Polypoid or allergic types of sinusitis. The presence of heat in these cases can increase the swelling and completely block the anastomosis.
- The presence of blood in the discharge from the nose.
It is very dangerous to do warming up in the presence of contraindications.
The result of such unreasonable behavior can be dire consequences:
- an increase in the volume of purulent discharge, the transition of the disease to healthy cavities, the melting of nearby tissues;
- the formation of purulent phlegmon;
- rhinogenic sepsis;
- meningitis;
- brain abscess;
- acute otitis media;
- periostitis of the jaw;
- swelling of orbital cells;
- damage to the blood vessels of the head.
In addition, the patient's condition worsens. He feels an increase in the manifestation of symptoms such as congestion, headache, hyperthermia, a feeling of expansion of the adnexal chamber.
Existing means for warming the nose
With the right approach to business and on the recommendation of an otolaryngologist, you can warm up your nose using various methods. The most common and effective are:
- Minin reflector (blue lamp);
- a bag of salt;
- boiled hard-boiled egg;
- hot poultices and compresses;
- steam inhalation;
- paraffin.
Often, devices such as Denas or Bioptron are considered devices for heating the air cavities. They do trigger the same recovery mechanisms as thermal treatments, however 
the mechanism of their action is fundamentally different. The flow of blood to the affected organs when using these devices does not occur under the influence of temperature, but due to the stimulation of cells with current and light.
It can be concluded that Bioptron and Denas have nothing to do with heating, so you need to consult a doctor about the specifics of their use.
Also on the Internet they often ask whether you can warm your feet with sinusitis or not. It should be noted right away that this should not be done in an acute condition or at elevated body temperature. Although, in general, with sinusitis, such a procedure is practically useless, since there is no effect directly on the nasal chambers. You can warm your feet after hypothermia to prevent respiratory illness, as well as to improve the general condition with common colds.
Blue Lamp Healing
Along with other physiotherapy procedures, for sinusitis, doctors are often allowed to use a blue lamp (Minin's reflector), which can be used at home. The action of the reflector is based on the effect on tissues of infrared radiation, which is located between the medium and short wave ranges. Thanks to this, the warming effect (dry heat) appears at a depth of about 3 centimeters, which is very good for sinusitis. You should not expect a bactericidal effect from the reflector, it is characteristic only of quartz lamps.
The device can be used only after the end of the acute period of the disease. The blue lamp for sinusitis is able to heal by acting on the tissue and cellular level, which gives such positive results:
- restoration of cell membranes;
- regeneration of the epithelium in the accessory chambers;
- accelerated healing of small vessels that have been damaged as a result of inflammation and edema;
- activation of the withdrawal of residual exudate;
- improvement of local blood circulation by vasodilation;
- light anesthesia by reducing tissue edema and relieving spasm.
All this makes it possible to accelerate the local metabolism and the rate of elimination of toxins accumulated during the inflammatory process from the tissues of the body.
The reflector is connected to a household power supply with a voltage of 220 volts. The patient sits comfortably and closes his eyes; contact lenses must be removed in order to prevent them from drying out. The blue color does not penetrate closed eyelids and does not irritate the eyes. The lamp is installed 20 cm from the irradiated area, the luminous flux should be directed perpendicular to the surface. The manipulation is carried out three times a day for 20 minutes, the entire course can last up to 2 weeks.
You should not use the Minin reflector for pregnant women, cancer patients and people who are taking cytostatics, immunomodulators or hormonal drugs.
Alternative methods of treatment with heat for sinusitis
If there is no blue lamp, then traditional medicine methods can be applied. In this case, it is extremely important not to self-medicate. Often people are admitted to the hospital who tried to warm up the sinuses with sinusitis, which led to the explosive development of the disease and the serious condition of the patient. With sinusitis, warming up is permissible as an addition to traditional therapy during the first 2-3 days after the onset of the disease or at the stage of recovery, when the bulk of the purulent contents has already been removed from the air pockets, and the symptoms have weakened.
A common treatment at home is to warm up the nose with regular table salt. It's easy to do, but you need to follow certain rules in order to prevent burns to the skin of the face. You should heat a dry frying pan and pour 100 g of salt on it, which is heated, stirring regularly, for about 3 minutes.Coarse salt is better as it keeps the temperature longer. Hot salt is poured into a thin cotton cloth (such as a handkerchief) and tied in a knot. Sometimes sand or fine grains are used instead of salt.
For comfort, it is advisable to put another thin towel on your face and then attach a hot bundle. At the same time, there should not be a burning sensation, otherwise you need to wait until the salt cools down a little. It is better to keep the compress until it cools completely, but not less than 15 minutes, after which half an hour lie in bed under the covers.
Among other popular methods of warming up, the following should be noted:
- A hard-boiled chicken egg is wrapped in a thin towel or cotton rag and applied to the bosom until it cools. For greater effect, it is better to boil two eggs and apply them to both maxillary chambers.
- Compresses are made like this. A clean cotton scarf is moistened in hot water or in a decoction of bay leaves, applied to the affected area and covered with cellophane and a towel on top. The procedure is repeated 2 times a day for 10-15 minutes.
- Melt the paraffin and apply a brush on the face opposite the sinuses with a layer up to 1 cm thick. Cover the top with paper and a towel, keep for one hour.
- Inhalation. A tablespoon of medicinal herbs (sage, chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow) is poured with 200 ml of boiling water and insisted for 30 minutes, then, covering the head with a blanket or towel, breathe in pairs for 10 minutes, 3 times a day. Essential oils and boiled potatoes can also be used for inhalation.
