Aside from the usual viruses and infections common during this time of the year, the inhospitable climate and other factors can turn your nose into a lump of coal.
Over the counter medications can help treat the symptoms and ease general discomfort caused by winter sinus problems.
None of them will provide long term relief and many may actually cause more problems with extended use.
Bottom line, use of these medications may or may not be any more effective than a few tried and true natural remedies safely used by millions every year.
By far the biggest culprit behind chronic winter sinus pain is the climate.
The dry air outside in colder climates is nothing compared to the super dry air we encounter inside buildings with central heating systems.
The longer a building remains closed with the heating system running, the dryer the air becomes.
It is not uncommon for a buildings humidity levels in the winter to be 30% lower than they are during the remainder of the year.
Restoring the humidity in your home to more comfortable levels can be achieved in a variety of ways.
One of the oldest and most effective methods is to simply boil a pot of water.
Regardless of the size of your home, boiling a pot of water every day can greatly increase humidity levels.
An added benefit to this practice is the reduction of static electricity in the air unless you like being zapped every time you touch a door knob.
Another natural method is the use of a humidifier.
If you're already encountering sinus problems before going to sleep, you'll usually wake up to find them much worse.
While you sleep your sinuses continue to dry out from the super dry air and mucus becomes hard and in some cases painful and difficult to remove.
Using a humidifier in your bedroom will prevent mucus from thickening while you sleep and will provide the soothing moisture your sinuses need to operate properly.
Always be sure your humidifier is clean to prevent spreading mold into the air.
The use of nasal sprays for some carries a certain stigma.
Honestly, sticking something into your nose and snorting is never going to be attractive no matter who you are.
With that said, few things can provide immediate sinus relief like saline spray.
So be discreet, but don't write it off simply because it's not as glamorous as taking a pill.
Also keep in mind that there are medicated nasal sprays.
Never confuse these as medicated sprays are not be used in the same fashion and can have significant side effects if used improperly.
A final natural solution is the use of moisturizing gels.
These do not contain any medicines, but often have ingredients that may lead people to believe they do because of the smell and sensation they produce.
A common ingredient is camphor, which many associate as a medicine smell.
Camphor will produce a warm and tingly sensation inside the nose that will travel into the remainder of the sinuses.
The benefit of gels is that their moisturizing properties tend to last longer than saline spray.
This can be especially useful at night if you're unable to utilize a humidifier.
Are there benefits to using natural remedies for your sinus problems versus just using over the counter medications? Absolutely and the first thing you'll notice is the money you save.
Second, all of these natural methods can be used be used by children or adults plus people currently taking other medications or undergoing medical treatment.
Even if your sinus problems are viral, not environmental, these practices will still provide sinus relief without adding more chemicals to your ailing body.