The Pros and Cons of Steroids for Sinus Infection

A recent study found that nasal steroid sprays do help sinus infections – just a bit. Researchers in England found that use of these steroids for three weeks could help patients feel better faster, although the effects were small. Here’s Reuters:

Thompson’s group found that two thirds of people felt better within two to three weeks, without having taken a steroid spray. Among the people who did take a steroid, an additional one out of 10 felt better by three weeks. In other words, ten people would have to be treated with steroids for three weeks for one of them to feel some relief from their symptoms. “And who knows if you’re the one?” said Dr. John Hickner, a professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study.

Why is this a result worth reporting? Because of how these statistics line up with another common treatment: antibiotics. Researchers found that steroids and antibiotics produced similar results, giving doctors an important, viable option to avoid overprescribing common antibiotics.

As I have discussed in this space before, antibiotic resistance is a growing problem that could eventually threaten the efficacy of our most powerful medical weapons. Reuters again:

Thompson said that if doctors want something to offer and patients want something to take, nasal steroids could steer them away from antibiotics.

So which should you take if you are suffering from chronic sinusitis? Speak to an expert ENT for an informed opinion. The best treatments are invariably tailored to specific ailments, so you can’t know for sure until you’ve been examined by an experienced professional. To make an appointment today, contact my LA sinus surgery offices.

Tags: antibiotics, los angeles ent, resistance, sinus infection