What is included in sinus precautions?

Sinus Precautions: Guidelines for Post-Sinus Procedure Care

Sinus precautions include avoiding nose blowing, straining, heavy lifting (over 10 pounds), bending over, exercising, flying, diving, and forceful sneezing for at least 1-2 weeks after sinus procedures to prevent bleeding and complications. 1

Core Sinus Precautions

Activity Restrictions

• Avoid straining, lifting objects over 10 pounds, bending over, and exercising for at least 7-10 days to prevent increased blood flow to the nose and risk of bleeding 1
• Avoid flying, diving, forceful sneezing, or playing wind instruments for at least 6 weeks after sinus procedures 1
• Walking and other non-strenuous activities are permitted 1
• Sleep with the head slightly elevated to reduce congestion and pressure 1

Nasal Care

• Do not blow your nose if you have packing in place 1
• If you need to sneeze, do so with your mouth open to reduce pressure in the nasal passages 1
• Use nasal saline sprays as directed to keep the nose and any packing moist, which reduces crusting and helps resorbable packing dissolve 1
• Avoid using straws for drinking as this can create pressure changes 1

Medication Considerations

• Avoid over-the-counter pain medications that may increase bleeding, including aspirin and ibuprofen, unless otherwise instructed 1
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for pain relief as it does not increase bleeding risk 1
• Follow prescribed antibiotic regimens if provided to reduce infection risk 1
• Use prescribed nasal sprays or corticosteroids as directed to reduce inflammation 1

Duration of Precautions

The duration of sinus precautions varies based on the procedure performed:

• For basic sinus procedures: 7-10 days for most activity restrictions 1
• For sinus elevation or augmentation procedures: 1 week for nose blowing and 6 weeks for flying, diving, forceful sneezing, or playing wind instruments 1
• Follow-up with your clinician is essential for determining when specific restrictions can be lifted 1

Warning Signs Requiring Medical Attention

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Return of blood from nose or mouth 1
• Fever over 101°F 1
• Increasing pain 1
• Vision changes 1
• Shortness of breath or labored breathing 1
• Loss of color around the skin of the nose 1
• Swelling of the face 1
• Diffuse skin rash 1

Special Considerations for Sinus Surgery Patients

For patients who have undergone sinus surgery or augmentation:

• Maintain strict adherence to follow-up instructions to ensure proper healing and timely removal of non-resorbable packing 1
• Keep the nose humid with saline spray and moisturizing agents to prevent dry crusts and facilitate healing 1
• Small amounts of bleeding may occur initially after packing removal - this is normal 1
• If bleeding continues after applying pressure to the nose, contact your medical provider or go to the emergency department 1

Rationale for Sinus Precautions

These precautions are designed to:

• Prevent disruption of healing tissue and surgical sites 1
• Avoid increased pressure in the sinuses that could lead to bleeding or displacement of grafting material 1
• Reduce the risk of infection by maintaining the integrity of surgical sites 1
• Allow proper ventilation of the sinuses, which is essential for maintaining sinus integrity 2

Following these precautions carefully will help ensure optimal healing and reduce the risk of complications after sinus procedures or during treatment for sinus conditions.