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Hello XXXX,

If your sinuses are congested due to allergies, I recommend using an antihistamine (oral) and a steroid nasal spray. The products containing acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) will not help as that is a pain killer and fever reducer.

Antihistamines will help decrease the reaction. Choices for over the counter antihistamines are cetirizine (Zyrtec), Allegra, and Claritin. There is also the option of Benadryl, but this does not last 24 hours and can be more sedating.

The antihistamines mentioned above also come in combination with the decongestant pseudoephedrine. This is a strong decongestant. The combination medications are called the name of the antihistamine followed by "-D": so Zyrtec-D, Claritin-D. They are kept behind the pharmacist's counter and you have to ask for them, but they don't require a prescription.

You might try just the plain antihistamine first rather than going directly to the combination.

Now about a steroid nasal spray. These decrease swelling of the lining of the sinuses and nose and stabilize them so they are less reactive. Flonase is an example, and it will take about 3 days of use for you to start to see results. This is a medication that you use daily.

Rinsing your sinuses with saline, particularly after exposure to things you are allergic to, can be helpful too. You can either use a nettipot and saline packets with boiled water that's been cooled, or buy prepared saline spray such as Simply Saline. Stand over a sink, tip your head to the right, and pour or spray the saline in the left nostril until it runs out the right. Reverse for the other side. Don't blow your nose hard afterwards - just very gently.

Be sure to space out the saline rinses with the nasal steroid spray - maybe half hour or more - as you don't want to wash out the steroid spray.

All of the things I've mentioned here can be bought at a drug store.

I hope this information helps!

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