Sinus Infection Treatment in Las Cruces
Facial pressure, congestion, and headaches making you miserable? Get same-day sinus infection care at Covenant Clinic.
What Is a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection (sinusitis) happens when the tissue lining your sinuses becomes inflamed and swollen, trapping mucus and creating pressure in your face. Your sinuses are air-filled pockets behind your forehead, cheeks, nose, and eyes. When they are healthy, air flows freely and mucus drains normally. When they are blocked, bacteria or viruses can multiply and cause an infection.
Sinus infections are extremely common in southern New Mexico, where dry desert air, dust, and seasonal allergies all contribute to irritated nasal passages. Most sinus infections start after a cold or allergy flare-up and resolve within a couple of weeks. But when symptoms drag on or worsen, it is time to see a provider. Covenant Clinic can evaluate whether you need antibiotics, prescribe decongestants, or recommend other treatments to get you relief.
Common Sinus Infection Symptoms
Sinus infection symptoms often overlap with a cold but tend to linger longer and feel more intense:
- Facial pain or pressure (forehead, cheeks, eyes)
- Nasal congestion and stuffiness
- Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
- Reduced or lost sense of smell
- Headache that worsens when bending over
- Postnasal drip (mucus draining down your throat)
- Cough, especially at night
- Tooth pain in the upper jaw
When to Visit Covenant Clinic
Many sinus infections improve on their own with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies. But visit us if:
- Symptoms last longer than 10 days without improvement
- Symptoms improve and then suddenly worsen -- a sign the infection may have turned bacterial
- High fever above 102°F along with nasal symptoms
- Severe facial pain or swelling around the eyes or forehead
- Multiple sinus infections per year -- you may benefit from a longer-term management plan
- Over-the-counter decongestants are not helping after several days
Swelling or redness around the eyes, double vision, stiff neck with high fever, or severe headache that does not respond to medication. These may indicate a serious complication that requires immediate attention.
What to Expect
A sinus infection visit at Covenant Clinic is straightforward and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Walk in or save your spot online. Tell us about your symptoms and how long they have been going on.
A provider will examine your nasal passages, check for tenderness, and review your symptom history to determine if the infection is viral or bacterial.
Depending on your diagnosis, we may prescribe antibiotics, nasal steroids, decongestants, or recommend saline rinses and at-home care strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most sinus infections start as viral and improve on their own within 7 to 10 days. You may need antibiotics if your symptoms last longer than 10 days without improving, if you develop a high fever above 102°F, or if your symptoms seem to get better and then suddenly worsen. A provider at Covenant Clinic can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether antibiotics are the right call.
Acute sinusitis typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Viral sinus infections usually improve within 7 to 10 days. If symptoms persist beyond 10 days or worsen after initially improving, the infection may be bacterial and require antibiotic treatment. Chronic sinusitis lasts 12 weeks or longer and may need a specialist referral.
The viruses that cause sinus infections are contagious, but the sinus infection itself is not. If your sinusitis started from a cold, you can spread the cold virus to others through coughing, sneezing, or close contact. Bacterial sinus infections are generally not contagious.
Yes. Allergies can cause chronic inflammation and swelling in your nasal passages, blocking normal sinus drainage and creating an environment where bacteria can grow. This is especially common in southern New Mexico during allergy season. Managing your allergies with antihistamines or nasal sprays can help prevent sinus infections.
Sinus Pain Dragging On? Get Relief Today.
Walk in or save your spot online. Open 7 days a week, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.