Reducing Sinus Infections

Dr. Greene`s Answer:

A daily dose of beneficial bacteria from yogurt, acidophilus milk, or capsules like Culturelle does reduce the amount of sinus infections. In one study of kids in daycare, half the kids had regular milk and the other half got 8 oz a day of acidophilus milk. The kids and the daycare workers never knew which was which. The kids who got 8 oz a day of acidophilus milk had fewer sinus infections, colds and sick days.

Other ways to reduce sinus infections include avoiding large, overcrowded daycares and exposure to tobacco smoke. Some children with allergies have recurrent sinus infections; they can benefit from avoiding allergic triggers and using nasal sprays and/or oral allergy medications. Another reason for recurrent sinus infections is anatomic obstructions to sinus drainage; surgery is sometimes required for these cases (Duse M, et al. “Rhinosinusitis: prevention strategies,” Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 2007 Nov; 18 Suppl 18:71-4).