Sinus infection treatment in Bang Tao
The pressure sits behind your cheekbones and gets worse when you lean forward to put your shoes on. Your nose is blocked on one side, and there is a dull ache in your upper teeth that is not a dental problem. Flying, diving and weeks of air conditioning all set this off. Sinus infection treatment in Bang Tao starts by working out whether it is viral, bacterial or simply pressure that has not equalised.
What it feels like
The typical picture is:
- Pressure or pain across the cheeks, forehead or behind the eyes
- Blocked nose, often worse on one side
- Thick yellow or green discharge
- Reduced sense of smell
- Pain in the upper teeth
- Pain that worsens when bending forward
Coloured discharge on its own does not mean bacterial infection, contrary to what most people assume. Viral sinusitis produces green mucus too.
Flying and diving are common triggers
Both change the air pressure around blocked sinuses. On a flight, a sinus that cannot equalise causes intense pain on descent. Diving does the same at greater force, and a blocked sinus can bleed under pressure.
If you have a blocked nose, do not dive. Dive schools around Bang Tao and Laguna see this constantly. Using a decongestant to force your way through a dive is a poor idea, because if it wears off at depth the reverse block on ascent is far more painful and can injure the sinus.
When antibiotics actually help
Most sinus infections are viral and settle within seven to ten days without antibiotics. They are worth considering when symptoms last beyond ten days without improving, when they are severe with a fever above 39C and thick discharge for several days, or when you improve and then clearly get worse again.
That last pattern — better, then worse — is the most reliable sign of bacterial infection developing on top of a virus.
What actually clears the blockage
Saline nasal irrigation is the most effective thing you can do, and it is underused. Rinsing with a saline sachet and clean water twice a day washes out mucus and reduces swelling, and it works better than most sprays.
A steroid nasal spray reduces inflammation over several days. Decongestant sprays work fast but must not be used beyond three days, or the congestion rebounds worse than before. Steam inhalation helps, as does raising the head of the bed. And turn the air conditioning up — dry cold air keeps the nasal lining inflamed, which is often the underlying cause. A blocked nose is also a common reason for a sore throat, since you end up mouth-breathing all night.
Warning signs that need a hospital
Rare, but serious, and worth knowing because the sinuses sit close to the eye and the brain. Go immediately if there is:
- Swelling or redness around the eye
- Double vision, or difficulty moving the eye
- Severe headache with neck stiffness
- Confusion or drowsiness
- Swelling of the forehead
Anything involving the eye is an emergency, not something to watch overnight.
Frequently asked questions
How much does treatment cost?
A consultation with a treatment plan is inexpensive. Medication is added on top and quoted first, and most people need nothing beyond a saline rinse and a nasal spray.
Can I dive with a sinus infection?
No. You will not equalise, and forcing it risks sinus barotrauma and bleeding. Wait until the blockage has fully cleared — usually a few days after symptoms settle.
Can I fly?
You can, but it will hurt on descent. Use a decongestant spray about thirty minutes before landing, swallow and yawn frequently, and stay well hydrated.
Why do I get this every time I come to Thailand?
Almost always the air conditioning. Cold, dry, recycled air inflames the nasal lining. Setting the room warmer and rinsing with saline daily prevents most cases.
Can a doctor come to my hotel?
Yes. A doctor hotel visit can examine you and bring the medication, though a persistent or one-sided blockage is better assessed at the clinic.
Come in, or we come to you
Take Care Medical Clinic Bang Tao is open open 24 hours, 7 days a week on Bandon Road in Cherng Talay, a few minutes from Bang Tao Beach and Laguna Phuket. Walk in without an appointment, call +66 81 718 9080, or message us on WhatsApp. If you would rather not move, ask for a doctor hotel visit and we will come to your room.