Q: How do I know when I have a sinus infection?

In order to diagnose an acute bacterial sinus infection, patients typically need to have the following occur:

  • Almost always have had a “cold” for 7-10 days before a bacterial sinus infection is present
  • Thick and coloured nasal drainage
  • Nasal congestion and trouble breathing through the nose
  • Facial pain that presents typically in the upper teeth in the presence of a cold
  • Reduced or absent sense of smell

It is extremely rare for someone to develop an acute sinus infection without the presence of a cold first. An exception to this would be sinusitis caused by a dental infection.

Q: How do I use a sinus rinse?

The Neilmed Sinus Rinse bottle is a key component to nasal and sinus health. Like brushing your teeth, it should be done daily to remove irritants from the nose and remove dry mucous and crusts. It is also helpful to treat allergies and colds. Video instructions can be found at:


Q: Tips for using the sinus rinse bottle

  • Use boiled and cooled or distilled water in your rinse to reduce risk of infection
  • Replace your bottle every 3 months
  • Wash bottle with warm and soapy water and allow to air dry with pieces apart after each use
  • lean forward over the sink when rinsing 
  • Don’t squeeze the bottle very hard. Just squeeze it hard enough to get through your nose. The harder you squeeze the bottle, the more likely it is to bother your ears
  • turn your head from side to side after each rinse to remove excess rinse fluid from your nose. It is normal to have a little bit of drainage coming out of the nose some time after the rinse
  • Bleeding and burning with rinses can be normal when someone starts to use a sinus rinse. This is typically because the nasal lining is not conditioned to the rinses and generally inflamed. This will improve with continued use of the rinses.

Q: How do I use Pulmicort in my sinus rinse?

Adding Pulmicort to your sinus rinse is very simple, safe and effective for treating nasal and sinus conditions.

  1. Add 1 package of the Neilmed Sinus Rinse salt package to the rinse bottle and mix with clean (boiled and cooled or distilled water - not plain tap water)
  2. Break open Pulmicort nebule and pour into sinus rinse bottle
  3. Replace the bottle spout and rinse as you normally would, using the entire bottle at each rinse. DO NOT STORE OR REUSE UNUSED SINUS RINSE


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