Khaberni - Dr. Vladimir Zaytsev, an ENT specialist, states that failing to treat a runny nose and believing it will resolve itself often leads to sinusitis.
According to him, failing to treat it can escalate within the first hours of the illness. During this period, the mucous membrane swells, blocking the passage to the maxillary or frontal sinuses, which leads to the accumulation of pus and a rapid deterioration of the condition.
He says: "The first mistake is failing to treat, thinking that the runny nose will disappear on its own. The inflammation never subsides; it continues every minute and second, day and night, nonstop. The sinus openings close, and thick pus accumulates. As a result, severe pain develops, cheeks and eyelids swell, and the person becomes unable to touch their face."
He adds: "If not intervened immediately, the pus penetrates the mucous membranes and destroys them. In cases of sinusitis, the upper eyelid swells, and it becomes difficult to open the eye, and the patient feels pain in the cheek. The next stage is secondary purulent meningitis, where the inflammation spreads to the meninges. In such cases, the patient ends up in intensive care instead of the ENT department, where emergency sinus drainage surgery is often necessary."
Another grave mistake, according to him, is self-administered nasal irrigation under pressure, which can lead to fluid accumulation in the sinuses and worsen the inflammation.
He says: "When a person rinses their nose thinking they are helping themselves, they are in fact pushing the solution into the sinuses, where it can't escape due to a valve mechanism. In this confined space, the fluid accumulates, and the entire process - pain, swelling, pus, and the risk of meningitis - repeats itself. Even if the patient later recovers from a severe condition, their illness often becomes chronic."
According to him, improvement in treating a runny nose should be visible from the first days. If the nose is blocked today, improved tomorrow, and symptoms disappear the next day, the process is proceeding well. However, if the symptoms worsen or the condition deteriorates, especially with self-treatment, it is crucial to consult an ENT specialist immediately, as earlier treatment increases the chances of avoiding complications and recovering faster.
