Since Christmas, concerns about the flu, COVID, and other infections have increased and cases have risen.
Unfortunately, even after the illnesses are gone, the symptoms can linger and become a bigger issue. If you or your children have itchy ears and discomfort, they could be dealing with one of two things. It often becomes a debate between ear infection vs sinus infection.
Read below and learn how to tell them apart so you can get the right treatment.
Press Pressure Points
One of the most effective ways of identifying an infection is by gently pressing on pressure points.
With one or two fingers, softly apply pressure around the eyes, forehead, and nose. If you’re dealing with a sinus infection, these places are often inflamed. It may feel like a bruise, or you can lean forward and feel the pressure of the congestion.
Applying pressure around your ears can help you discover ear infections. Regardless of what infection you may have, don’t apply too much pressure or it could cause pain.
Visit Your Doctor
Ear and sinus infection treatments often involve prescriptions for antibiotics.
Without a to doctor assess your symptoms, you can’t get prescribed Xylitol nasal spray for benefits. You should schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to ensure you aren’t dealing with something else. If your doctor is busy with patients, MinuteClinics and other healthcare facilities can help.
Pay Attention to the Symptoms
Throat pain, ear pain, and headaches can all describe a sinus or ear infection.
Fortunately, there are other signs you can observe to discover what you’re dealing with. For example, sinus infections create a lot of nasal congestion which hurts the throat from postnatal drip. Headaches, ear drainage, and hearing loss are more common with ear infections.
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Observe the Effects of Sinus & Ear Infection Remedies
The best way to improve your symptoms and identify your problem is by ruling things out.
Allergies are often confused for these infections, but antihistamines won’t make symptoms disappear. It also helps to take a flu or COVID test to rule out those illnesses, as they often cause the infection. When you observe the tests and medications (that should work), you can get closer to health.
Tylenol and ibuprofen may also help improve symptoms of an ear or sinus infection. If you start feeling better, take note of how the symptoms improve. These symptoms will help point you in the direction of the right infection.
Ear Infection vs Sinus Infection Revealed
Telling apart an ear infection vs sinus infection can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
The symptoms overlap and make it confusing to differentiate what infection you are dealing with. If you want to start feeling better, you need to identify the problem and take appropriate steps. Luckily, there are a few ways you can reveal the mystery by paying attention to symptoms and pressure point pain.
If you want to learn more about staying healthy during the germiest season of the year, check out our blog for the latest content!
