If you have a bacterial sinus infection, you may need and antibiotic as well as mucoactive agents to dry up the mucus, such as Mucinex.

Caffeine-free tea and soup are common cold remedies for this reason. Try sipping on peppermint tea or eating some pineapple. The menthol in peppermint and the bromelain in pineapple might help to reduce the coughing mucus causes. [3] X Research source www. umm. edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/bromelain Drinking tea with some lemon and honey in it can help clear up mucus. However, honey shouldn’t be given to toddlers. [4] X Expert Source Ni-Cheng Liang, MDBoard Certified Pulmonologist Expert Interview. 23 October 2020. Tea with a sprig of fresh thyme in it can also help clear up mucus. [5] X Expert Source Ni-Cheng Liang, MDBoard Certified Pulmonologist Expert Interview. 23 October 2020. Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, by contrast, can increase mucus production and dehydrate the body.

Heat will help dilute the mucus (which is mostly solid in nature), resulting in easier release when you blow your nose.

Steam inhalation also works — boil a pot of water, then remove it from the heat. Get a blanket or any cloth that can cover your face and the pot of boiling water, and inhale the steam so that it can loosen the mucus. Be very careful not to burn yourself on the pot or the hot steam; keep your face at least 12 inches above the water. Try adding a few drops of essential oils such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or eucalyptus oil to help open up your sinuses. You may also find that using a humidifier helps ease your symptoms.

Taking these products for longer than three days can lead to a boomerang effect in which your mucus builds up even more than it did before. Many of these products also have side effects, including increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants come in 12 hour or 24 hour treatments. Try Tylenol Cold and Flu or Advil Cold and Sinus. Decongestants are prepared in different forms such as pills, liquids, and nasal sprays. Before taking decongestants, take the time to read the label and ingredients of the medications. If you have hypertension, seek medical counsel before taking any decongestants that contain the active ingredients phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, because these can elevate blood pressure.

You may benefit from a medication that combines both dextromethorphan and guaifenesin, such as Robitussin DM. These medications can serve as both an expectorant and a cough suppressant. Side effects that you need to watch out for include nausea and vomiting, headache, and dizziness.

You will need to see a doctor to get a prescription for nasal steroids, such as Flonase.

Antihistamines should be taken once at bedtime. Note that drowsiness is one side effect of antihistamines, so never take the medication if you are going for a drive or operating other heavy machinery. Also be wary of other side effects such as headache, dizziness, and dry mouth. Antihistamines should not be taken with expectorants. If your allergies are persistent and severe, talk to your doctor about allergy shots.

You can either use a Neti pot or a bulb syringe. Make sure that the solution you are using (salt water) comes from sterile, distilled, or boiled water to prevent the introduction of bacteria. Remember to properly rinse the irrigation device after every use and air dry it afterwards. Limit the use of nasal irrigation, because frequent irrigation can wash out some of the natural protective substances that help fight off infections. Gargling with salt water can have a similar effect.

There is a very important reason for this: because mucus is sticky, it is able to trap irritating or dangerous particles before they reach your lungs. [15] X Research source Without mucus, the particles of dust and dirt that you may see when you blow your nose would end up inside your body.

This is why you often only notice mucus when you are sick. Under normal circumstances, you are able to swallow mucus at the same pace that your body produces it, but under adverse circumstances, mucus is being produced faster and in greater quantities, leading the excess to clog your nose. When mucus mixes with saliva and white blood cells, it becomes phlegm. Mucus production can also be stimulated by food, environmental factors, allergens, cigarette smoke, chemicals, and perfumes. When this increased production happens, your sinuses can get blocked, leading to the buildup of bacteria and possibly a sinus infection.

Generally, healthy mucus should be clear. If your mucus is cloudy or white, you may have a cold. Yellow or green mucus may signal a bacterial infection. If you’re trying to figure out whether you have a cold or a sinus infection, a better gauge is how long your symptoms last. With a cold, you will usually have a runny nose followed by a stuffy nose, each lasting for two or three days. Sinus infections can linger for a week or more. [18] X Research source