| How to Clear a Sinus Infection Posted: 14 Oct 2016 05:00 PM PDT Your sinuses are cavities in your forehead and face that serve various functions, including moistening the air you breathe and producing mucus to help trap and expel pathogens from your body. Sometimes, the sinuses can't fight off the pathogens, leading to the familiar symptoms of a sinus infection: inflamed and swollen sinuses, increased mucus, headache, cough, congestion, and sometimes fever. Depending on the cause of your sinus infection, there are different ways to treat it. Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) will usually clear up on its own, but you can help speed the process and reduce your symptoms with some at-home care.[1] EditDetermining the Type of Infection - Recognize the basic symptoms. Sinusitis generally presents itself with the same basic symptoms. Symptoms of acute sinusitis often worsen after 5-7 days. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis may be milder, but are more long-lasting.[2]
- Headache
- Pressure or tenderness around the eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sore throat and post-nasal drip (the sensation of "dripping" or running mucus at the back of your throat)[3]
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Bad breath
- Fever
- Consider how long you have had symptoms. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting less than four weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than twelve weeks).[4] Having symptoms for a long time does not necessarily mean your sinusitis is more severe or dangerous.
- Acute sinusitis can be caused by many things, but viral infection is the most common cause (90-98% of cases).[5] You may get acute sinusitis after having a cold. Acute sinusitis due to a viral infection will usually improve within 7-14 days.
- Allergies are the most common cause of chronic sinusitis. You may also be more susceptible to chronic sinusitis if you have asthma, nasal polyps, or if you smoke.
- Check for a fever. Allergic sinusitis usually is not associated with a fever. Sinusitis caused by an infection, such as the common cold, may present with a fever.[6]
- A high fever (over 102F) is often a sign of bacterial sinus infection. If you have a fever above 102F, consult with your doctor.
- Look for dark yellow or green mucus. Dark yellow or green mucus with a bad smell or taste may be a sign of bacterial sinus infection. If you think you have a bacterial sinus infection, consult with your doctor. S/he may prescribe an antibiotic such as such as amoxicillin, augmentin, cefdinir, or azithromycin.[7]
- Physicians will often wait for further observation before prescribing an antibiotic. Many cases of bacterial sinusitis improve without antibiotic treatment. Doctors try to avoid prescribing antibiotics unless truly necessary, because too much antibiotic use can increase your risk of developing an antibiotic-resistant infection.[8]
- Antibiotics will only help to treat bacterial sinusitis. They will not help other types of sinus infection.
- Only 2-10% of acute sinusitis is caused by bacterial infection.[9]
- Know when to see a doctor. In addition to high fever and dark yellow or green mucus, there are other symptoms that signal you should see a doctor. A doctor will evaluate you and determine whether a bacterial infection is likely and whether antibiotics are needed. If you have any of the following symptoms, consult with your physician to determine what treatment she recommends:
- Symptoms that last longer than 7-10 days
- Symptoms such as headache that do not respond to over-the-counter medications[10]
- Productive cough with dark yellow, green, or bloody mucus
- Shortness of breath, heaviness of your chest, or chest pain
- Stiff neck or severe neck pain
- Ear pain
- Vision changes, redness, or swelling around the eyes
- Development of an allergic reaction to any medication. Symptoms may include hives, swelling of the lips or face, and/or shortness of breath
- Worsening of asthma symptoms in individuals with asthma
- If you have been suffering from chronic sinusitis, it's a good idea to see a doctor. S/he can help you treat long-term sinusitis. S/he may also refer you to an allergist or otolaryngologist (Ear-Nose-Throat doctor) to help determine the possible causes.
EditTreating Symptoms with Medication - Consult a doctor. If you are going to take a prescription medication, you will obviously need to see a doctor first. However, you may need to call your doctor before taking a non-prescription medication in some cases as well, especially if you have medical conditions or take other medications. While many over-the-counter medicines are safe for healthy adults, there are many circumstances which would complicate self-treatment with OTC medicines.
- Never give medication to children that is meant for an adult, as many cold medicines are not recommended for children.
- Women who are pregnant are likewise restricted from many cold medicines, and nursing mothers may need to check with a care provider or lactation consultant before taking OTC medications.
- Use antibiotics as directed. If your physician prescribes antibiotics for a bacterial sinus infection, be sure that you take the entire course of antibiotics, even after you begin to feel better. This will minimize the possibility of the infection to return or become resistant to the antibiotic.
- Antibiotics commonly used for bacterial sinus infections include amoxicillin (most commonly), augmentin, cefdinir, or azithromycin (for individuals who may be allergic to amoxicillin).[11]
- Side effects common to these antibiotics include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a skin rash. More serious side effects such as fainting, trouble breathing, or hives should be reported to your doctor right away.[12]
- Take an antihistamine for allergies. If your sinus problems are associated with seasonal or systemic allergies, antihistamines may help. Antihistamines are medications that directly work against your body's reaction to allergens by preventing histamine from attaching to receptors in your cells. Antihistamines can stop the symptoms of allergic sinusitis before they start.[13]
- Antihistamines generally come in pill form, such as loratidine (Claritin), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and Cetirizine (Zyrtec). Liquid, chewable, and dissolvable forms may also be available, particularly for children.
- Consult with your doctor or pharmacist to determine which antihistamine will be most effective for you.
- Do not take an antihistamine for acute sinusitis without consulting with your doctor. Antihistamines may complicate acute sinusitis by thickening your nasal secretions.[14]
- Take an OTC pain reliever. Pain relievers will not cure a sinus infection, but they can reduce some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with it like headaches and sinus pain.[15]
- Acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) help relieve pain from headaches, sore throat, and can reduce fever.
- Be mindful that ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months of age.
- Try a nasal spray. An over-the-counter nasal spray may provide some immediate relief to blocked sinuses. There are three main types of nasal sprays; saline sprays, decongestant sprays, and steroid sprays.
- Decongestant sprays such as Afrin should not be used for more than 3-5 days, as doing so can actually worsen your congestion.[16]
- Saline sprays can safely be used frequently and help clear out mucous.
- Fluticasone (Flonase) is a steroid nasal spray that is used to treat symptoms of allergies. This type of nasal spray can be used longer than decongestant sprays, but may not help with sinus infections, as it is meant to help with allergy symptoms.
- Try a decongestant. These medications can help relieve stuffy noses and sinus pain. Do not take a decongestant for more than 3 days. Using a decongestant for too long can cause "rebound" congestion.[17]
- Common choices include phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed 12-hour). Some antihistamines include a decongestant, such as Allegra-D, Claritin-D, or Zyrtec-D.
- Many medicines marked as "D" contain pseudoephedrine and may be held behind the pharmacy counter due to purchasing restrictions.
- Some decongestants contain acetaminophen. Do not take additional acetaminophen if you are taking a decongestant that already contains it. Overdose can cause serious complications.[18]
- Consider a mucolytic. A mucolytic (such as guaifenesin/Mucinex) thins mucous secretions, which may help improve drainage from your sinuses.[19] There is not strong evidence that these help treat sinusitis, but you may have success with the medication.
EditUsing Alternative Treatments - Get some rest. If you're continuing to not get enough sleep or work excessive hours, it will take your body longer to get rid of the infection. If at all possible, try to have a full 24 hour period of complete rest.[20]
- Try to sleep with your head elevated. This will help promote drainage and reduce congestion.[21]
- Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help thin the mucus and reduce the feeling of blockage.[22] Water is the best option, but non-caffeinated tea, sports drinks containing electrolytes, and clear broths are also good options.
- Men should drink at least 13 cups (3 liters) of fluids per day. Women should drink at least 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluids per day. If you're sick, you may need even more.[23]
- Avoid alcohol. It can actually make the swelling in your sinuses worse.[24] Caffeine may dehydrate you, which could make the mucus thicker.[25]
- Try a Neti pot or nasal syringe. Flushing your sinuses (also known as "irrigating" them) can help clear out built-up mucus naturally. You can do this several times a day with minimal side effects.[26][27]
- Use a sterile saline solution in the pot or syringe. You can buy a prepared solution or make your own using distilled, boiled, or sterile water.
- Tilt your head at about a 45-degree angle. You will want to do this over a sink or in the shower, to make cleanup easier.[28]
- Place the spout of the Neti pot (or the tip of the syringe) into your top nostril. Gently pour the solution into your nostril. It should run out the other nostril.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Inhale steam. Steam will help keep your sinuses moist and may make it easier for you to breathe. Take a hot shower or inhale the steam from a bowl.[29] Using a mentholated "shower bomb" can help.
- To use a bowl, carefully pour boiling hot water into a temperature-safe bowl. (Do not inhale steam from water that is still on the stove!) Put the bowl on a table or at a comfortable height so you can lean over it.[30]
- Lean your head over the bowl. Do not get so close that the water or steam burns your face.
- Cover your head and the bowl with a light towel. Inhale the steam for 10 minutes.
- If desired, you can add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil or other decongesting oil to the water.
- Use 2-4 times per day.[31]
- If using this method with children, use extreme caution around the hot water and do not leave children unattended with the hot water treatment.
- Run a mist humidifier. Dry, hot air irritates sinus passages, so running a humidifier while you sleep will help make breathing easier. A warm or cool mist humidifier should work equally well. You can also add a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus into the water in the humidifier, which will help further reduce congestion (but check the humidifier's user manual before adding anything to the water).[32]
- Watch for mold. If the air is too humid, mold may begin to grow on or around your humidifier. Clean the humidifier regularly to keep it sanitary.
- Apply a warm compress. To ease facial pressure and pain, apply a warm compress to the affected areas.
- Moisten a small towel and microwave it for about 30 seconds. The towel should be quite warm, but not hot enough to be uncomfortable.
- Place the compress on your nose, cheeks, or near the eyes to reduce your pain. Leave on for 5-10 minutes.[33]
- Eat spicy foods. Some research suggests that spicy foods, such as hot peppers or horseradish may help clear your sinuses.[34]
- The capsaicin in peppers and spicy foods may help thin mucus and promote drainage.[35]
- Other "spicy" foods such as ginger may also help you feel better.
- Drink tea. Hot, non-caffeinated tea may help soothe a sore throat, especially if it contains ginger and honey. This can also help reduce coughing. However, you should avoid teas with too much caffeine, as these may dehydrate you or cause you to lose sleep.
- You can make a simple ginger tea at home. Grate about 1 ounce of fresh ginger per cup of boiling water and allow to steep for at least 10 minutes.
- One traditional herbal tea, "Throat Coat," has been shown to significantly relieve sore throat pain vs. a placebo tea.[36]
- Benifuuki green tea may help reduce nasal and allergic symptoms when drunk regularly.[37]
- Treat your cough. Often, a sinus infection will be accompanied by a cough. To ease your discomfort and the inconvenience of a cough, you should stay well hydrated, drink warm liquids such as herbal tea, and take honey (only for individuals over the age of 1).
- Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke, even secondhand smoke, causes irritation of the sinus lining and promotes sinus infections.[38] Secondhand smoke contributes to as many as 40% of the chronic sinusitis cases in the United States each year. You should stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke while you have a sinus infection.
- To prevent future sinus infections and promote better overall health, stop smoking entirely. Smoking harms basically every organ in your body and can take years off your life expectancy.[39]
EditPreventing a Sinus Infection - Treat symptoms of allergies and colds. Inflammation in the nose caused by allergies and colds predisposes you to developing a sinus infection.
- Get a flu vaccine. This reduces your likelihood of catching the influenza virus, which is another common culprit causing viral acute sinusitis.[40]
- Avoid pollution. Exposure to polluted environments and contaminated air may irritate the nasal passages and aggravate your sinusitis. Chemicals and strong fumes may irritate your sinus linings.
- Practice good hygiene. Viral infections are the most common causes of sinusitis. You can reduce your risk of catching these infections by washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Wash your hands after shaking hands, touching public surfaces (such as bus poles or door handles), and before and after preparing food.
- Drink lots of water. Water increases the amount of moisture in the body and helps to prevent congestion. It also helps to thin the mucus for proper drainage.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which help keep your body strong and healthy.[41]
- Foods such as citrus fruits have high levels of flavonoids, a compound which may help boost your immune system and fight viruses, inflammation, and allergies.[42][43]
- If you are feeling pain in your ear canals (behind your lower jaw), you may have an ear infection. See your doctor, as you may need antibiotics to clear this infection.
- Do not add tap water to neti pot solution. If you do not wish to use filtered water, boil tap water and let it cool to an appropriate temperature. There are amoebas in tap water that can cause serious complications.
- Drinking "Breathe Easy" tea from Traditional Medication really helps to clear up congestion and sore throats.
- Be sure to see a doctor immediately if you experience trouble breathing; chest pain; stiff neck or severe neck pain; redness, pain or swelling of the face or eyes; or concerns of dehydration from not drinking enough, especially in young children or babies.
- If you have chronic sinus infections, discuss your treatment options with your doctor. In some cases, surgery may be required to help you breathe better.[44]
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Sell Items on Craigslist Posted: 14 Oct 2016 09:00 AM PDT Ready to make some extra cash and get rid of that imported beer can collection? This article will show you the best way to position your formerly priceless possessions to sell on Craigslist. Read on! EditSample For Sale Ad EditSelling Items on Craigslist - Go to Craigslist.org. After all, if you don't go there, you're not going to have a lot of luck selling on Craigslist!
- Choose the state where you live. On the right side of the page, there is a list of big cites that may reflect your region. If you don't see your city there, at the bottom of the list are links to fine-tune your location.
- Click on the link that says US States.
- You can go right to your city by entering yourcityname.craigslist.org. For our examples, we'll use Portland as our city, and enter "portland.craigslist.org."
- Click on the post to classifieds button. It's on the left side, under the Craigslist logotype. That will bring you to a page that says: '"What type of posting is this?"' It gives you a list of posting types:
- Click the for sale button, will bring you to another category page. It features a list of about 100 categories. You can choose one. Click on the category that is most appropriate for what you're selling. If you don't know what category your item belongs in, click on the category general for sale.
- Since this is Portland, we'll list bicycle - by owner.
- When you click on that, you'll be asked to narrow down your location.
- Enter the posting information. This is the title and copy and other information potential buyers will see when they are searching for what you're selling. These fields are as follows:
 - Posting Title: This is what people will see as the heading in their search results.
- Price: Obviously, how much you're selling the item for.
- Specific location: Enter your county, part of town, or other general information. Do not enter your address!
- Reply to: Put your email address here. You can choose to either display it as is, or to make it anonymous so that your name is not attached to it. This is good to do, especially if you have a unique last name and are selling something valuable. No need to advertise to the world that you're selling a van Gogh that hasn't seen the light of day in 50 years.
- Posting Description. This where you do your selling. Make it interesting, make it catchy. If you don't know what or how to write sales copy, take a look at a catalog or newspaper ad you might have, and see how they do it. If it works for them, it'll work for you!
- Be truthful here. If there are flaws that damage the value of the item, or there's a piece missing, or that your ex will be knocking on the door of whoever buys it—let them know in advance. It may not help you sell, but it will help you avoid getting a reputation as an unreliable seller.
- Check "ok for others to contact you..." if it's fine with you to get unsolicited emails from strangers.
- Check your form. The fields in green must be filled in.
- Submit pictures of what you're selling. This is listed as optional, but if you want to sell something, do yourself and your potential buyer a favor, and fill as many picture slots as you can with high-resolution pictures that are as good as you can possibly make them. You want people to be excited about what you're selling.
- When you're done loading in images, click the Done with images button.
- Craigslist only allows 8 medium quality images. Particularly if you are selling something fairly detailed (like a house or car) or something in really good condition, you should consider linking to an image host where you can post more high quality images. Buyers love images and it helps your ad stand out. Some free hosts to consider are Photobucket, Listhd, and Classpic. Craigslist frowns on embedding external images, but don't care about linking (text link) to other pages (with images).
- Check your listing for accuracy. You want to make sure your listing will get the attention it deserves.
- If your listing needs changes, click on the Edit Text or Edit Images buttons, and make any changes necessary.
- Click on the Continue button. When you're satisfied your ad is ready for prim time, click the Continue button at the bottom of the page. If you have an account on Craigslist, your ad will be posted on Craigslist within 15 minutes. If you do not have an account, you will be sent a notification email that you must respond to for your posting to become active.
- That's it! You're just made an ad on Craigslist!
- Your ad will expire 45 days after you post it, but you may renew it at any time.
- You do not have to put contact information in your ad. Most people can contact you through Craigslist, but some people can't, so you might consider it. As mentioned earlier, though, don't make it easy for unscrupulous people to know you're selling something valuable, and where you're located. All they need to do is see one social media post saying "Having a great time in Cancun!" to know you're not at home.
- Keep this in mind as you're creating your ad: you want the people reading your ad to be more interested in buying than you are in selling.
- Keep this in mind as you're creating your ad: you want the people reading your ad to be more interested in buying than you are in selling.
- You do not have to put contact information in your ad. Most people can contact you through Craigslist, but some people can't, so you might consider it. As mentioned earlier, though, don't make it easy for unscrupulous people to know you're selling something valuable, and where you're located. All they need to do is see one social media post saying "Having a great time in Cancun!" to know you're not at home.
- Your ad will expire 45 days after you post it, but you may renew it at any time.
EditThings You'll Need - A computer
- An item to sell
- An email address
- A camera
EditRelated wikiHows |
| How to Do Zipper Face Makeup Posted: 14 Oct 2016 01:00 AM PDT The zippered face makeup look is a frightening (and disgusting) look for Halloween! If you are looking for something that will scare and impress your friends, then this is a great choice. It is pretty simple to get this look. You just need some special makeup items and a zipper! EditGetting Your Makeup Ready - Gather your materials. Creating the zippered face makeup look is easy, but you do need some special items to do it. Before you get started, you will need:[1]
- zipper
- scissors
- liquid latex
- makeup sponges
- cotton balls, squares, or rounds
- red face paint
- red eyeshadow and/or lipstick
- skin safe adhesive
- petroleum jelly
- Trim off the excess fabric from the zipper. Cut off the fabric around the edges of the zipper. Otherwise, it may look quite obvious that you have a fabric zipper glued to your face. After you finish trimming of the fabric around the edges of the zipper, cut the bottom part off of the zipper.[2]
- If you will be placing the zipper at an angle on your face, then you may need to trim one side of the zipper to be shorter than another.
- Trace the zipper. When you have decided where to place your zipper, use your eyeliner pencil to trace the area within the zipper. You should trace a V-shape so that the zipper will look like it is really unzipping your face.[3]
- Experiment with different placements of the zipper on your face to determine where you want it to go.
- Pull apart a cotton square. You can use bits of cotton fluff to help you create texture on your skin. This will give your skin a lumpy, bumpy appearance that will be more realistic than smooth red skin.[4]
- Pull apart a cotton square, ball, or round and set the cotton pieces aside. You will use them when you apply the liquid latex to your skin.
- Mix red lipstick with petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly mixed with a bit of red lipstick will help you to create a shiny finish on your skin. This will make the red textured makeup appear more realistic, as if the wound is fresh.[5]
- You can also add in a little black or brown eyeliner or eyeshadow to darken the color.
EditCreating the Zippered Look - Apply a layer of liquid latex to the area inside of the zipper. When you are ready, apply a layer of liquid latex to the area in between the lines you have drawn. Use a makeup applicator to dab the liquid latex on your skin, while avoiding the areas around your eyes, nose, and mouth.[6]
- Do not put liquid latex on your eyelids! It is not okay to use on or near your eyes.
- Add some chunks of cotton to create texture. After you finish applying the first layer of liquid latex, start adding some chunks of cotton to your skin and dab more liquid latex over them. This will give your skin lots of texture to create a more realistic look.[7]
- Keep adding cotton pieces and liquid latex until you are satisfied with the results.
- Cover the liquid latex with red face paint. Next, you will need to cover up the lumpy white palette you have created. Use your red face makeup to cover up these areas. You can use multiple colors of red and even some brown or black to create dimension.[8]
- For example, you could do a layer of red, and then use some darker red to make some areas stand out more. You could also dab on and blend in some brown and black around clumps of cotton to give them the appearance of blood clots.
- Use red eyeshadow on your eyelids. Remember that you do not want to put the liquid latex on your eyes. However, if you have decided to place the zipper so that it is around your eyes, then you will need to make sure that your eyes blend in with the rest of your face.[9]
- Apply some red eyeshadow to your eyelids and to the areas below your eyelids. You may have to use multiple layers, but this will be the safest way to color your eyelids.
- If you are applying the zipper around your mouth, then try wearing some red lipstick that matches the other face makeup.
- Glue the zipper onto the outside of the red area. When your makeup is complete, you can glue on the zipper. Use some skin safe adhesive to glue the zipper onto the area you traced. Make sure that you use enough glue to keep the zipper in place.[10]
- Apply the red petroleum jelly over the red face paint. To finish your look, you can apply some of the red petroleum jelly you created. Apply the jelly to the red areas of your skin to give it a shiny, wet blood appearance.[11]
- If the petroleum jelly is too shiny or if you accidentally apply too much, then just use a paper towel to gently dab some of it away.
EditUsing Liquid Latex Safely - Do a patch test. If you are allergic to latex, then you should not use liquid latex at all. However, if you are not allergic, then it should be fine. Since the skin on your face is more sensitive than on other areas of your body, it is still a good idea to perform a patch test.[12]
- To perform a patch test, apply a small amount of liquid latex to the skin on your face, such as on one of your cheeks. After 30 minutes, remove it. If your skin looks normal immediately after and does not develop redness or irritation over the next 24 hours, ten it should be okay to use.[13] However, if you develop itchiness, redness, or any other signs of irritation, then do not use liquid latex.
- Apply a layer of lotion to your skin first. Coating the skin on your face with a layer of lotion will help to protect it and make it easier to remove the liquid latex when you are done. Use your usual face lotion to coat your face in a thin layer of lotion.[14]
- Keep it away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Liquid latex is not safe to put on or near your eyes because of the danger of getting it into your eyes. It is also not safe to put on your lips or nostrils. Keep the liquid latex away from these areas.[15]
- Avoid getting the liquid latex in your hair. Liquid latex peels off of your skin easily when you are done, but it will not come out easily if it gets into your hair. You may even end up having to shave off some of your hair to get it out.[16]
- To avoid having to cut or shave your hair, keep your hair away from the liquid latex.
- Practice the look. It might take a few times to get it just right, and working with liquid latex takes a little practice. Try it out, take photos or videos, and improve upon your design each time you try it.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment