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Pharmacy First & Minor Illness

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually after a cold or flu, causing pain and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes and forehead, a blocked nose and reduced sense of smell.

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Woman pinching the bridge of her nose with sinus pain, holding a tissue

How we treat it

Our pharmacist can assess your symptoms and, where appropriate, supply NHS treatment including antibiotics for bacterial sinusitis — no GP appointment needed.

Who's eligible?

Available free on the NHS for anyone aged 12 or over. Use our one-minute eligibility checker and our pharmacist will be in touch to arrange your consultation — or just walk in.

Get help today instead if you have:Call us on 0121 500 5756, your GP, or NHS 111. In an emergency call 999.
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Understanding Sinusitis

Sinusitis, explained

What it is, what to look out for, and what actually helps — from the pharmacists who treat it every day.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is swelling of the lining of the sinuses — the air-filled spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead. It usually follows a cold or flu, when the sinuses can't drain properly and pressure builds up. That's what causes the characteristic facial pain, blocked nose and thick discharge.

Most sinusitis is viral and settles within two to three weeks without antibiotics. Where symptoms have lasted longer or point to a bacterial infection, our pharmacist can assess you under Pharmacy First and supply NHS treatment — including antibiotics when clinically appropriate — for anyone aged 12 and over.

You may have sinusitis if you have:

  • 1
    Pain, pressure or tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
  • 2
    A blocked nose or thick green or yellow discharge
  • 3
    Reduced sense of smell
  • 4
    A sinus headache that worsens when you bend forward
  • 5
    Toothache in the upper jaw, fever or bad breath
What causes sinusitis?
Almost always a viral infection — a cold or flu that spreads into the sinus lining and stops it draining. Less often bacteria take hold in the trapped mucus, and allergies, dental infections or nasal polyps can also block the sinuses and set it off.
How can I treat sinusitis at home?
Paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain, plenty of fluids, and rest. Breathing in steam from a hot shower, holding a warm flannel over your face and sleeping propped up all help the sinuses drain. A saline nasal rinse or spray from the pharmacy can clear congestion, and decongestant sprays help short-term (no more than a week).
Do I need antibiotics for sinusitis?
Usually not — most cases are viral and antibiotics won't touch them. If your symptoms have lasted around 10 days or more without improving, or are severe with fever and one-sided facial pain, a bacterial cause is more likely. That's when our pharmacist can assess you and supply NHS antibiotics where appropriate.
How long does sinusitis last?
Acute sinusitis usually clears within two to three weeks. If it drags on beyond that, keeps coming back, or lasts more than three months (chronic sinusitis), it needs a proper review — start with our pharmacist, who can treat or refer you on.
When should I get urgent help?
Seek help the same day for a severe headache, swelling or redness around an eye, changes to your vision, a very high fever, confusion or a stiff neck. These are rare but can mean the infection is spreading beyond the sinuses. Call your GP or NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

Read more on this

Written by our pharmacy team — practical detail on treatment, timing and when to get help.

Health HubSinusitis or Just a Bad Cold? How to Tell — and When to Get TreatedFacial pressure, the ten-day rule, and when antibiotics genuinely help.Read the guide →Health HubCough and Cold Remedies: What Actually WorksWhat to take while a cold runs its course.Read the guide →
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