There are tiny, air filled cavities present in the bones at the frontal part of the skull which are known as sinus. They can be found near the forehead, around the eyes, cheeks, nose and ears. They trap harmful pathogens and provide protection from various infections. A sinus infection occurs when there is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of nasal passage and sinuses. As a result, mucus accumulate in these areas and causes nasal congestion. A sinus infection during pregnancy is quite common and is also known as rhinitis of pregnancy. Usually, it starts around the second month and continue till childbirth. Causes Studies have shown that women are more prone to sinus infections during pregnancy. Usually, sinus infections develops when the upper respiratory tract get attacked by common cold virus or due to allergies when the nasal passage get irritated by allergens. However, pregnant women tend to get sinus infection where it is not triggered by any allergic reaction or viral infection. Here, the real cause is hormonal changes that takes place during pregnancy. The level of reproductive hormone estrogen increases during this time which in turn causes inflammation in the lining of the nasal passage. Moreover, the hormonal imbalance also contributes towards excessive production of the mucus. In this condition, the sinus cavities get blocked and mucus cannot be drained out properly and this results in an infection. Symptoms At other times, symptoms cause you only slight discomfort. However, dealing with a sinus infection at the time of pregnancy is quite challenging because you are already bothered by other pregnancy symptoms. Some commonly observed signs are as follows:

• Runny nose
• Constant nasal discharge
• Frequent sneezing
• Sore Throat
• Cough
• Sinus headache
• Mild fever

Home Remedies It is safe to avoid any medicines for sinus infection treatment particularly during the first trimester. This is because most of the medicines that are being used for treating such condition may have some adverse effect on the unborn baby. Here, are a few simple ways of treating sinus infections while pregnant: Steam Inhalation: Boil some water in a wide brimmed pan and remove it from heat. Now, drape a towel over your head and inhale the steam coming out of the pan. This will clear up the nasal passage and the sinus cavities and you will get relief from the stuffy feeling. This should be repeated two times a day for best effects. Nasal Strips: If stuffy nose make breathing difficult for you and you are unable to sleep, then use nasal strips to get some relief. Put the adhesive strip over the nose bridge before going to bed. This will keep your nose open throughout the night. Next morning, remove the strip. Saline Nasal Spray: Saline nasal sprays are made of salt and water and are available in the local pharmacy stores. Spray a few drops of saline water into both the nostrils and breathe in. The mist will loosen up the mucus and you can breathe freely. Unlike medicated decongestants, you can use this nasal sprays a number of times without any fear of side effects. Warm Compression: You often feel tenderness on the face and forehead area because of a sinus infection. Warm compression provides a soothing relief from this kind of discomfort. Dip a clean washcloth into a bowl of warm water, squeeze out the extra water from the cloth and place it over the tender parts of the face. You can apply warm compression as and when required. Hot Bath: If you have a congested feeling during the day time, then take a hot bath for few minutes. The steam released from the bath water help in thinning up of the mucus and facilitate its easier drainage. Thus the congestion will be gone after some time. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C that can fight off the infection very well. Take a glass of hot water and add fresh juice of a lemon into it. Stir the mixture and drink it in small sips throughout the day. If you have fever, drinking this fluid will lower the body temperature. All these home remedies should bring about significant improvement in the condition within 2-3 days. However, if the symptoms continue to make your life miserable, then it could be a severe infection and you must consult a doctor for treatment. Do not worry there are some antibiotics that are considered as safe during pregnancy and your doctor will prescribe you those medicines. They may also give you decongestants which should be used as per the instructions given by them. Just remember, overuse of these sprays can worsen your condition.