For anatomy of the sinuses, please refer to previous post,
“Nasal and Sinus Anatomy”: http://wp.me/pR4iB-1g
How to “Read” a CT Scan:
Some brief instructions on reading sinus CT scans: black is air; white is bone; gray is “soft tissue,” or everything else – brain, eyeball, cheek tissue, thickened sinus lining, or snot, or even pus.
[These instructions, along with some CT scans, are from previous post,“3 Year Old Boy Hospitalized for Severe Sinusitis”: http://wp.me/pR4iB-2k Also see article on How to Read Your CT Scan: http://wp.me/pR4iB-yj ]
Warning … Danger, Will Robinson …
Complications of sinusitis are rare, but they can have horrible outcomes if not treated promptly, aggressively, and with skill. The following review describes what can go wrong, what some of the signs and symptoms are, and when you need to seek medical help, like right now.
For those of you who are too young to know, the robot at the right (“B9″) was a regular feature on “Lost in Space” from the mid-1960′s. You can buy a full-sized replica for only $25,000. Seriously, people buy them. There are now several websites devoted to the B9 robot and the Lost in Space series. I just can’t imagine being so nostalgic for a TV series that I would spend $25 grand for one of these. It’s not like it will vacuum the floor or fetch you a beer.
Intracranial Complications:
The ethmoid, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses are separated from the brain by only a thin layer of bone. If infection – sinusitis – passes through these bones it can infect the fluid and tissues that surround the brain, resulting in meningitis (1). If the infection enters the brain tissue it can cause an abscess (2), or walled-off infection. Inflammation of the intracranial blood vessels can result in abnormal clotting (thrombosis) of blood vessels inside the skull (3). This, in turn, can cause blindness, brain swelling, stroke, and death. Stress-point: intracranial complications can be fatal.
Forehead Abscess (“Pott’s Puffy Tumor”) Complicating Sinusitis
Case #1
This teenage boy had 2 rare complications of sinusitis: extension of the infection to form an abscess in his forehead (“Pott’s Puffy Tumor”), and intracranial extension to form a brain abscess:
You can see from the photo on the right that his forehead looks like he is hiding a golf ball. This abscess is very tender. He rapidly developed “mental status changes” (he was irritable and lethargic), and an emergency MRI revealed that the infection in the forehead had eroded through the bone of the anterior skull to form a brain abscess:
Forehead Abscess That Extends Through Skull to Form Brain Abscess
This young man required emergency surgery to drain both his forehead abscess and his brain abscess, as well as to remove all of the infected tissue (mostly polyps) within his sinuses that caused the problem in the first place. He recovered fully.
Summary:
Any of these infections – meningitis, brain abscess, thrombosis (blood clot)– can be life threatening. They require urgent and aggressive treatment. When these complications are suspected, an MRI is usually obtained, sometimes in addition to a CT scan.
These patients require hospitalization, with possible consultation of multiple specialists including neurosurgeon, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist (ENT), and infectious disease experts. Many will require urgent surgery.
Anyone with sinusitis who exhibits changing mood or mental abilities, sudden and severe irritability, lethargy, or difficulty speaking, walking, or managing fine motor skills, must be evaluated by a physician. Right Now.
Orbital Complications:
The ethmoid sinuses fill the space between the eye sockets (“orbits”), and the maxillary sinuses in the bones of the cheeks form the floors of the orbits. Again, these sinuses are separated from the orbits by only a thin layer of bone. If infection from sinusitis in these sinuses passes through these bones, orbital abscess (4) or infection (orbital cellulitis, 5) in the orbit can result in blindness.
Case #2
The photo below shows a 6-year old boy with a recent history of a “cold” – a viral URI. Over the past 24 hours his right eye is drooping, he complains of double vision. On exam, his eye does not move easily, seems to be looking down, as you might detect in this photo.
Abscess next to boy’s right eye socket (orbit)
A CT scan of his sinuses reveals a small abscess just inside his right eye socket (orange arrow). This causes inflammation and compression of one of the eye muscles (medial rectus) that moves the eye (dashed orange line). This often requires surgery to cure.
Axial CT Scan Showing Sub-periosteal Orbital Abscess
Case #3
The photo below is from a 6-year old girl with an identical story. Her eye actually looks worse, with redness and swelling so that she cannot easily open her left eye.
Sinusitis Complication: Girl’s Left Eye with Peri-orbital Cellulitis
A CT scan of her sinuses shows “stuff” in the ethmoid sinuses next to her left eye, but there is no abscess. She has “peri-orbital cellulitis,” or infection of the tissues around the eye. This improved with intravenous antibiotics, no surgery.
Girl’s Left Ethmoid Sinuses, and Peri-Orbital Cellulitis
Thrombosis of Ophthalmic Vein, and Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis
Case #4
Different patient: The MRI shown on the right shows a life-threatening complication of sinusitis. This complication is also a risk for blindness. It shows an MRI from a teenage girl with severe sinusitis. The complication is clotting of the veins of her left eye, and clotting of a large venous area inside the skull – the cavernous sinus (orange arrows).
She was hospitalized for intravenous antibiotics for severe sinusitis, and otitis. When she began to complain of vision changes this MRI was obtained. Visual testing revealed that she was losing the sight in her left eye.
She was taken to emergency surgery for sinus surgery, mostly to decompress her left orbit to relieve pressure on her eye and optic nerve.
Although she had a very difficult hospitalization and required several surgeries and long-term antibiotics, and anti-clotting medications, she recovered fully. Her vision is perfect, and unchanged. [Aside: after leaving the hospital, she brought me huckleberry turnovers that she had baked herself every time she saw me in clinic, for years!] Her story is described in the first journal paper listed in Resources, below.
Summary:
These patients usually require hospitalization, with consultation of ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, neurosurgeon, and infectious disease experts. Many will require urgent surgery.
Anyone with sinusitis who experiences ANY change in vision (double vision, blurring of vision, difficulty seeing in any way), or bulging of one or both eyes, must be evaluated by a physician. Right Now.
Local Complications:
Sinus Polyps, Complication of Sinusitis, Chronic Rhinitis
Polyps (6):
Chronic inflammation from sinusitis can be associated with sinus and nasal polyps. These are abnormal swellings of the lining. Polyps can cause nasal obstruction, making nasal breathing difficult or impossible. Polyps can also block the sinus openings, causing worsening of sinusitis. Chronic growth of polyps can push bone out of place and cause distortion of the nasal profile – how the nose looks from the outside. Obstruction from polyps can also cause loss of smell. Finally, recurrent and chronic sinusitis can cause permanent loss of smell due to injury of the olfactory nerves. Children with cystic fibrosis are at increased risk for sino-nasal polyps.
Mucoceles (7):
Obstruction of the sinus opening from chronic inflammation can result in formation of a sinus mucocele. As mucus continues to be produced by the lining of the sinus, the mucocele gradually enlarges. This can result in erosion and remodeling of surrounding bone. Mucoceles are benign, but can cause significant problems, especially if they spread into the orbits or skull. Most mucoceles are not a problem, but if they become infected they can cause severe bacteremia – bacteria in the bloodstream. That can be life-threatening.
Osteomyelitis (8): Infection of the Bone
Recurrent and chronic sinusitis can cause infection of the surrounding bone. This may be how the intracranial or intra-orbital infections of sinusitis travel. Bone infections can be extremely difficult to cure. They often require long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy, and possibly surgery to remove the infection.
Summary:
Any of these complications of sinusitis can become true emergencies. Some of these complications require immediate surgery in order to save a life, or to prevent permanent brain injury or blindness. These complications are not limited to children – they can threaten your life too.
These complications are most common during the worst of the cold-and-flu season, but CAN happen ANY time of the year. If your child has recurrent and chronic rhinosinusitis, be alert.
This short list of sinusitis complications is not complete, but touches on the most dangerous complications, and some of the common complications. If you suspect that you or your child has any of these complications of sinusitis, get medical attention. Sinusitis is nothing to sneeze at (sorry, couldn’t help myself).
_______________________________________
So What to DO About Sinusitis? Here are some articles related to causes and remedies of sinusitis.
Consider possible causes of sinusitis, such as:
Exposure to various toxins in your home environment: See my article on Better Living Through LESS Chemistry: 8 Natural Alternatives to Toxic Cleaners.
Allergies, including allergies to Dust Mites.
Smoke exposure: Quite Smoking! Do it for your Kids.
A couple articles on How to READ Your CT Scan, and What to Expect for Your Child’s CT Scan.
Consider whether BIOFILM may be playing a role in your Chronic Sinusitis.
Here’s my 5-Step Program to Eliminate Chronic Sinusitis.
Consider Probiotics as a Remedy.
When Your “Sinus” Headache is NOT From Your Sinuses.
Consider Adding Xylitol to Your Treatment Regimen for Sinusitis.
If you MUST have sinus surgery, consider Minimally-Invasive Approach, Balloon Sinuplasty.
Finally, consider other alternative approaches, such as Guided Imagery for Sinusitis.
_______________________________________
Thanks for visiting, and see you here again. I appreciate your comments and questions. Keep ‘em coming. Continue to “be excellent to one another.”
Best of health and success to you and your families.
Until next time, remember … you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose (unless you’re a boogor doctor :~D)
Resources:
Zapanta PE, Chi DH, Faust RA: A unique case of Bezold’s abscess associated with multiple dural sinus thromboses. Laryngoscope, 111: 1944-1948, 2001
Caylaki F, Yaviz H, Cagici AC, Ozluoglu LN. Endoscopic sinus surgery for maxillary sinus mucoceles. Head & Face Medicine, Vol. 2: http://www.head-face-med.com/content/2/1/29
This is frightening! Had no idea sinusitis could lead to these awful complications!! My husband had bacterial meningitis several years ago- had no idea it could be caused by sinusitis. Happy he’s a survivor! Thanks for the great information.
Dear Lauren,
You are right, it is heart-breaking when we encounter these complications in children, especially. I strongly support daily saline sinus irrigation for your husband, especially with that history. He is one of the fortunate ones. Bacterial meningitis, even when survived, can cause permanent hearing loss. I hope his hearing survived intact. Thanks so much for visiting, and stay tuned: we will be covering saline rinses in detail – why and how to do them – over the next 4 weeks, first post tomorrow. Good timing. RF
Hi Wisdom,
Yes, dental infections – related to dental extractions or not – are something that we look for when we are asked to see a patient with severe sinusitis. I have seen many dental abscesses as the source of sinusitis and facial cellulitis (severe tissue infection). Just one more reason to take great care of your teeth!
Thanks for visiting, and thank you for taking the time to comment.
RF
What about the role of blood sugar levels and candida in sinus infections? I’ve read a lot of anecdotal tales about this and it seems that I have much healthier sinuses when I eat a high protein diet, low sugar diet.
Hi Pete,
Great observation, and thanks for your comment!
Yes – higher protein is beneficial, with some qualifications: the protein in milk (cow’s milk) tends to thicken mucus secretions. That makes it more difficult for those little cilia to clear the secretions. The goal is thin secretions, and not too much of them.
Regarding sugars: All publications on sinusitis, especially from the Naturpathic perspective, tell us that sugars should be avoided. This is especially true if you might have fungal sinusitis (including Candida / yeast).
The caveat here is that honey might be an exception. Honey is a proven natural antibiotic, and can be very beneficial when added to the saline nasal rinse recipe for helping to manage chronic sinusitis (see posts on this blog: http://wp.me/pR4iB-c4 and http://wp.me/pR4iB-1Y ).
If you have problems with sinusitis, take a look at 2 books: the first is by Dr. Josephson, Sinus Relief Now, and the other by Dr. Ivker, Sinus Survival. The first is by an MD but is a great integrative text (my favorite on sinusitis), the second is by a naturopathic DO, and includes mind-body connection and spiritual considerations. Both books discuss the issues that you raised here.
Both are great references, and both available for good price at Amazon (my Amazon Store: http://bit.ly/9xfcOq).
Thanks for visiting, and especially for sharing your insight. We ALL appreciate it.
RF
About 3 months ago I had intranasal lidocaine applied to my left nasal area to function as a block for headache. The doctor applied 4% lidocaine up my nose a few times for 30 minutes. After two weeks, I got what appeared to be a cold which cleared up. Three weeks later another cold. One month later a third. I maybe only get at most two colds a year, not three in two months. Is it possible or have your heard of intranasal lidocaine causing damage to the nasal tissues or cilia which will lead to repeated infections? Maybe a longshot? I also have allergies so it is hard to say if it is a cold or allergy. Thanks, Sally
Hi Sally,
Lidocaine does temporarily slow function of cilia, but is not damaging, so maybe coincidence? My question for you is: did the lidocaine blocks help the headaches?
Thanks for visiting and sharing!
RF
i have suffered from sinus infection since 2003 , my body is in extreme fatigue , i have developed a really bad temper , heavy headedness, difficulty understanding what am reading, personality change , fall asleep quickly, body odour, bad breathe . I have even been unable to continue studies. Unfortunately due to poor medical facilities in my country and lack of finance , i have been forced to live with it . Your assistance will be a miracle to me.
Aden,
I am so sorry to hear about your poor health, and difficulty getting healthcare.
Although I am not able to treat you or give you medical advice at a distance, please do search this site for general tips and approaches on remedies for some of the things that you describe – sinusitis, rhinitis, headaches, etc. Again, I am sorry to hear about your condition, but thank you for visiting and for sharing. Please do let us know how things go for you.
RF
I have some suspected issues going on with my sinuses. I have for the past year continuously out of nowhere started blowing blood clots from my nose and even at times in the morning when I wake up coughed them from my lungs but what comes from my lungs looks like old blood and what is coming from my nose bright red any suggestions on what may be causing this ?
Hi Ginger,
Any time blood is involved, and it goes beyond a couple weeks, it’s time to involve a doc. My advice: go see your physician.
RF
Hi Doc -
My 7 yr old was hospitalized for two weeks in March for orbital cellulitis, ocular abscess and bacteremia. Her left eye was swollen shut, just like the case you displayed. Emergency surgery removed the abscess and cleared out the ethmoids, and a few days later we were home….only to return in two days due to recurrent swelling. A second emergent surgery proved no infection, clear ethmoids and an idiopathic diagnosis. She has since seen all docs involved in care (ENT, infectious disease, ophthalmology and pediatrician) for follow ups and we were referred to an allergist for skin testing. Those were negative. He proceeded with blood work, which also proved negative yet revealed that her pneumococcal titer was near nothing, yet she had all conjugate vaccines on schedule. She rec’d a ‘booster’ vaccine and has had labs redrawn. We are awaiting those results.
The swelling around her eye comes and goes – NEVER as severe as it was in the beginning, but still present. I don’t feel like any of our medical ‘team’ views this as concerning…should I be? I just want an answer so that we can move on, however that may be.
I should note that her treatment was Vancamyacin, Sulfa, Augmentin, Flonase (all have since been discontinued) and daily sinus rinses – which she is a trooper at coping with. I would greatly appreciate any and all responses that you may have. Thanks so much!!
Hi Shannon,
Sorry to say, but the only time that I have seen persistent swelling after a peri-orbital cellulitis or abscess was when did not completely drain the abscess pocket during surgery – it does NOT sound as though that is what you are describing for your daughter. I’m so sorry that I’m not nearby so that I could examine her myself, and review her lab work and CT scans.
Please keep me updated so that I can learn!
Thanks for visiting and sharing.
RF
I have a chronic sinus infection which shows as a mass in my left sinus probably caused by jaw surgery many years ago. I am having problems with blurry vision, fatigue and recently fainting spells and what look like seizures. Can this be caused by the chronic infection in my sinuses?
Hi Lynda,
Surgery around the sinuses can lead to a “mucocele” years later, so that may be what you are describing as the “mass” in your sinus. Mucoceles can become infected, causing all sorts of symptoms. My advice? See an ENT or a doc that you trust and ask about possible “cryptic infection”. There are various blood tests that can detect chronic infection. Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Thanks for visiting, and please keep us updated.
RF
My dad was hospitalized 2 months ago, his left eye drooped and experienced double vision. Over the years, he always experience sinusitis. CT scan revealed chronic sinusitis. Angiogram was also done and ruled out anuerysm. He’s at home now, but we are very concerned about his present condition, he has poor appetite he always complain every thing he smell everytime we cook. He also said, that his sense of smell was or may be affected by the hole caused by tooth extraction years ago. I’m a nursing student and I’m worried, because he manifests 3 symptoms among the 7 warning signs of cancer. He had a change in bowel and bladder habits, indigestion and dysphagia, and sudden weight loss. And lately, he seems to have body pain. We don’t know what to do and what to consult for. He’s been going back to his doctor and they just prescribe him meds for his sinusitis.
Hi Angela,
I’m distressed to hear about what your dad is going through, and frustrated that I cannot see him to help figure out what is going on. All I can say from a distance is that it’s time for another opinion. That’s what I always recommend when anyone is frustrated or up against a medical dead-end: another opinion. That is not a comment on the competency of your current medical team, simply a recognition that physicians are human and have limits, and that – despite our training and egos – we are NOT omnipotent. Time for another opinion. Please keep us posted, and best success!
RF
I’m glad you responded on my message doc. :) Anyway wer planning to have him x-rayed, cuz another doctor said that his change of smell might really be because of the hole brought about by his tooth extraction few years ago. We just hope, nothing else worse wud be find out. After his x-ray,probably by next week, we plan to consult again for another doctor, a specialist maybe. I just pray for the best. Thank you doc for responding, your such a good help, and its just overwhelming that i’m having a conversation with a great doctor. I’ll be posting soon as soon as I got updates bout my dad. Thank you again and More Power! May god bless you always.
Hi Angela,
You are welcome, and thank you for your kind comments. I am humbled by the love from my readers. Please do keep me updated on how he is doing, and thank you for sharing.
RF
Hello doc. I’m here to tell a good news. My dad is doing well right now. The last time I updated here he went for X-ray to see if his tooth extraction caused he’s change of smell, but the x-ray revealed no abnormalities. Lumbar puncture was also done when he went back to the hospital to rule out any viral infection, thank God the result was negative. As of now he’s still taking steroids but in lower dosage to treat some’ fatigue but all in all he’s appetite changed, he still have sensitive taste and smell but he can now eat more. And he’s back to work also. He doesn’t complain anymore about any pains so I believe he’s recovering well. He’s also gaining weight as I can notice. I just hope he’ll be totally well.
So relieved to hear that, Angela.
I am always so frustrated and fearful when readers of this site contact me for medical help and advice. Without knowing them as their physician, it is always potentially dangerous and always inappropriate to offer detailed medical advice. The best I can ever do is provide information, and urge people to connect with their local doc.
Thank you for sharing, and for letting me know all is well!
RF
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This article posted at this web site
is actually pleasant.
It was fascinating to read your article. In 1993, at the age of 11 I had the same thing happen as case #1. I begin having extreme headaches and fatigue for about 6 months. My pediatrician at the time wrote it off as the flu and depression. It wasn’t until I became extremely dehydrated that I was hospitalized. The first night of being at the hospital I went code blue. Emergency CT scans revealed the large mass in my brain due to the sinuses abcessing and pushing into the forehead. Doctors performed emergency surgery believing I had a brain tumor. They saw the mass and removed all of my sinuses in my forehead. I had several months of continuous penicillin treatment to remove the infection. At the time in 1993, there were very few cases (I belive my neurosurgeon said 3) at the time that had happened. It is fascinating so many years later to read the same thing that happened to me. Thank you for making this information known as it is a real though rare possibility of what the sinuses can do!
Scary story, Karla!
Glad that you made it okay. Some folks are not so fortunate.
Thank you for visiting, for sharing. And thank you for your kind comments. I hope you continue to visit.
Stay tuned for the launch of my eBooks in the next couple weeks!
Thanks,
RF
HI, i have a sinus infection after a cold and Im having vision changes on my right eye, no pain but feels like I have a big white start on my vision.Do I have to go to the emergency room? This has been going for two days,thanks
Clara,
Any time you have changes in your vision, you should see a physician. Now!
RF
Hi, may I ask. :)
Can sinusitis lead to other minor complications like skin conditions? I have sinusitis on just on side of my face and minor swelling..a side I injured three years ago..he maxillary. However on this side I chronically suffer from cystic acne. Could they be linked?
Thank you
Hi Emily,
The straight answer: I have no idea. We can speculate that various bacterial and viral infections, by affecting our immune response, can lead to changes in our response to the bacteria that cause acne, but I am not aware of any research or clinical trials that help answer your question. I will start looking …
Thanks for sharing,
RF
I also wanted to ask..this is quite important,
In the last week I have developed a lump on my forehead near my hairline. It is hard, feels like the kind of lump you get after a knock to the head. Along with this I have noticed a small dent by the lump and a number of odd sensations on my face. Today I felt a lot of pressure in the area where the lump is, my nose, cheek..tingling nerve kind sensations, dental pain, headache..all on the side where the lump is. However I have no fever or vomiting. Do you think this is related to my sinus infection? Do I need to go back to my doctor or is this normal in terms of sinusitis. I’m 28 and otherwise healthy.
Hi Emily,
I advise you to see your physician.
Be well,
RF
My 17 year old daughter got sinusitis in June. She was perscribed antibiotics (Augmentin) and decongestant tablets. She seemed to improve but had persistent headaches which did not respond to painkillers. When she started complaining about double vision we took her to hospital where she was examined by a junior doctor. He told us there was nothing wrong with her (no scan was performed) and we were send home with more painkillers. Less than 36 hours later one of her eyes closed. We took her to emergency and were told she had a cavernous sinus thrombosis. They tried everything but she died one week later.
I strongly believe that even doctors are not aware of the dangers and complications (if rare) of a condition as common as sinusitis. If only we had read your article before, our daughter might still be alive as we would have insisted on scans etc.
Thanks
Dear Esmeralda,
I am profoundly saddened to hear about your daughter! What a tragedy.
When I was at the University of Virginia Hospital, we barely saved a teenager with a severe sinus infection. With probably only hours to spare, we saved here eyesight, and ultimately her life, as her sinusitis extended to cavernous sinus thrombosis. Before the age of antibiotics, a cavernous sinus thrombosis caused by sinusitis was nearly always fatal. But, as you can attest, even now it can be fatal, despite our very best medical efforts.
My fear, as our over-use of antibiotics – in our livestock and over-prescription in clinics – results in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, is that we may move back to the age without antibiotics. Yes, we will HAVE antibiotics, but they won’t work against the resistant bacteria. We are already seeing this happen with MRSA, VRE, and others.
I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. Thank you for sharing. Perhaps others will benefit.
Russ
helo ,
this is manju from india,my husband has chronic sinusitis,his left eye is swollen,he had his ct done ,it says synonasal polyposis & deviated septum,doctor gave antibiotics ,he’s better now.but still doc recommended for endoscopic surgery.is surgery really needed in my husband’s case?help me out.thx in advance.
Hi Manjula,
Thank you for taking the time to share with us here.
Of course, I simply cannot answer your question without examining your husband and listening to his complete medical history. On the other hand, in my experience, I have only witnessed a couple cases where someone with sinonasal polyposis was able to avoid surgery.
I can give you this advice however (the same for anyone who has been told that they need surgery): get another opinion from another doctor. Your husband should consider visiting another ENT doctor to get their opinion.
Best success, and thank you for sharing!
RF
dear doctor,
am very glad that u answered to my query very fast.in india we don’t get such oppurtunities to talk to doctors unless we have a prior appointment.coming to my husband’s problem,he’s hypertensive and been using bp medicines for almost 6 years & he’s on ecosprin also.his eyes are normal now but he complains abt his ear that he has less clarity in audibility.anyway today we’ll take a second opinion from other doc & keep u updated.i just want to avoid surgery unless it is compulsory for him.thank you doctor once again.
Dear Manjula,
We are “on the same page” when it comes to your goal of avoiding surgery. Surgery should be a last resort.
Let the severity of your husband’s symptoms be the guide for whether to pursue surgery or not. That is, if he is able to breathe through his nose, and he does not have complications of sinusitis caused by polyposis, then continue with your non-surgical remedies: probiotics, daily nasal saline rinses. Also consider adding Manuka honey to the nasal saline rinses to increase the “osmolarity” (solute concentration) of the rinses without adding more salt (and making the rinses ‘burn’).
Thank you again for visiting.
RF
thank u doctor.yesterday we went to other ent specialist,by examining my husband he said there is no sinonasal polyposis but his sinuses are spreading infection.so he told though its not emergency but he has to get his surgery done.so we opted for surgery.many thanks for ur suggestions,they were really helpful.
Manjula,
Congratulations!!
And a Happy and Healthy New Year to you both,
Russ
Doc im having small lump on my forehead on my hairline but it goes off it nevee took a day to disappear my xray says i have frontal sinusitis..i took my antibiotics but i notice a small soft lump on my forehead but again it disappear..im living in philippines and its summer here i have cold but i can still breath as if i dont have cold…is it normal because i have sinus?
Camille: You need to be seen by a doctor!
Hello Dr. Faust,
I have been having sinus troubles for about a month now. After having a cold with a relatively high fever (102′), I developed a sinus infection. I was prescribed a round of antibiotics at a walk-in clinic. The pain from the infection did not ease up until days after the antibiotics were finished. Aside from being pain free, other symptoms remain including nasal drip, pressure, congestion, low grade fever, etc. Recently, I had a lump appear between my eyebrows that I though was a pimple, however, I am starting to thing otherwise. I’ve had it for about to weeks, it’s small, and elongated. The swelling fluctuates but it is not painful. When I touch it, it affects the pressure in my sinuses. I know this isn’t normal, but in the same effect, I would be embarrassed to waste my physician’s time by having her tell me it is a simple skin blemish. Any advise? Thank you, in advance for your time.
My advice? If you are concerned (sounds reasonable), see your doc!
And please let me know what’s up.