What you are describing - a cold that started as running nose and has now become thick congestion with pain over the cheeks and around the eyes, better and then worse again - fits acute sinusitis following a viral cold. Air conditioning and dust at the office typically make it worse. Start steam inhalation twice or thrice a day and use a saline nasal spray or saline rinse 3-4 times a day; this is the single most useful step to clear the sinuses. A xylometazoline nasal drop can be used for the block but for no more than 5 days, otherwise the congestion rebounds. Paracetamol 500 mg up to three times a day for the facial pain and fever is safe for you, and a plain antihistamine at bedtime helps sleep. Drink warm fluids, avoid cold drinks and direct AC air on your face, and sleep with your head slightly raised. Most such cases settle in 7-10 days without antibiotics. However, if the facial pain and thick discharge are not improving after 10 days, or you have fever above 101 F, one-sided severe pain, foul smelling discharge, or swelling around the eye, blurred vision, or a bad headache with vomiting, please see a doctor the same day - swelling around the eye or vision change needs emergency care. A short course of an antibiotic like amoxicillin-clavulanate is sometimes needed, but only after examination. You can book me on Practo consult (fee â¹500) or at Synergy Multispeciality Hospital, Miraj, and I will guide the exact prescription.
Answered2026-08-31 18:39:18
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