During certain times of the year, people with seasonal allergies are more prone to suffer from sneezing. runny, stuffy, or itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes. Sinusitis is temporary for many but for others it can become a chronic condition. There are numerous over the counter treatments and prescription medications available that may help improve symptoms.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses. It can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, by the growth of nasal polyps, or from an inflammatory reaction related to another condition like allergies. Acute sinusitis is usually caused by the common cold. Chronic sinusitis sometimes has other triggers like allergies. Sinusitis can cause a variety of symptoms including a runny, stuffy nose, drainage down the back of the throat, pain and swelling around the eyes and face, and a reduced sense of smell and taste. Persistent symptoms can lead to headaches, ear pain, coughing, fatigue, and more.
When these symptoms are caused by allergies it is referred to as allergic sinusitis. One key difference between this type and other types of sinusitis is that when it is related to allergies, symptoms can sometimes include an itchy nose, eyes, or throat. These symptoms typically do not appear when sinusitis is due to a cold. Symptoms of allergic sinusitis can vary depending on the seasons and the individual’s susceptibility to different allergens. Year round exposure may occur if the allergy is to something like pet dander.
If sinusitis symptoms last 10 days or more, it’s time to call your doctor. You may have a chronic condition that is affecting your ability to get rid of your symptoms. In cases of chronic rhinosinusitis infections are common with S. aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Gram-negative bacteria such as P. aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Medications are available that can treat the underlying cause and improve your condition.
Treatment Options for Sinusitis
One common treatment for sinusitis that is readily available is rinsing the nasal passages with a saline solution. A nasal rinse can clear debris and allergens from the nasal passages and also provide hydration to the nasal mucosa. Nasal irrigation with a squeeze bottle or a neti pot is one method. Another is using an intranasal atomizer.
Decongestants and corticosteroids can also help to reduce discomfort. Some individuals may benefit from over-the-counter pain relievers as well. Many of these medications provide symptom relief however they will not treat the actual cause of the sinusitis.
What Are Sinusitis Capsules?
Sinusitis capsules are a prescription medication that includes multiple ingredients combined by a compounding pharmacy into one formulation. The typical formulation includes mupirocin 15mg, xylitol 339mg, bismuth 5mg, triamcinolone 0.1mg, and nystatin 50,000 IU in a powder contained in a capsule. The capsule is combined with saline to produce a nasal rinse that can be applied with a nasal spray bottle or Rhino Clear atomizer.
Ingredients in sinusitis capsules:
Mupirocin: Mupirocin is an antibiotic used topically. It can be applied to the skin as well as the nasal mucosa. It is often used in the form of an ointment. It blocks the bacterial cell’s ability to make protein leading to cell death.
Xylitol: Xylitol has been shown to improve symptoms of non-allergic sinusitis when applied intranasally and perform better than a saline rinse alone. Xylitol works to inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Bismuth: Bismuth enhances the effectiveness of the antibacterial ingredients in the formulation.
Triamcinolone: Triamcinolone is a glucocorticoid (a type of corticosteroid) that is often used topically to treat skin conditions. This medication has been studied for use after sinus surgery to decrease edema and other postoperative complications.
Nystatin: Nystatin is an antifungal medicine used to prevent or treat fungal infections.
By combining antibacterial, antifungal, and other ingredients in one formulation, multiple aspects of chronic sinusitis can be treated simultaneously.
Compounding Pharmacies
A compounding pharmacy is able to combine multiple medications into one drug dosage form. A sinusitis nasal spray with mupirocin, xylitol, bismuth, triamcinolone, and nystatin is not available in any FDA approved form. It must be made by a compounding pharmacy with a prescription. Your doctor can write a prescription for a compounded medication and send it to any compounding pharmacy with the expertise to compound it.
Articles
Xylitol’s Health Benefits beyond Dental Health: A Comprehensive Review – Nutrients
Alteration in Bacterial Culture After Treatment With Topical Mupirocin for Recalcitrant Chronic Rhinosinusitis – JAMA Otolaryngology
Attenuation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors and biofilms by co-encapsulation of bismuth-ethanedithiol with tobramycin in liposomes – The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Triamcinolone Impregnated Nasal Pack in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Our Experience – Indian Journal of Otolaryngology