Sinus vs. Nasal Congestion

What is Sinus Congestion?

If you’ve ever dealt with sudden pain in your face or a persistent stuffy nose, you may have been experiencing sinus congestion. The sinuses are located in your head close to your eyes and nose, and they make a thin mucus that drains out to help keep the nose free of bacteria.¹ However, bacteria can cause inflammation or swelling to block the sinuses, or cause the sinuses to fill with fluid.^{1, 2} This can cause a sinus infection called sinusitis.

If you have a runny nose, stuffy nose, yellow/green discharge or sinus pressure that lasts longer than 10 days and feel persistent facial pain, your sinuses may be infected.³ Sinusitis itself cannot be spread, but the viruses that cause sinusitis can be spread to others.¹

Because the sinuses are located in your head, the pain from congested sinuses can often feel like a headache. In fact, sinus congestion pain is classified as a secondary headache, a type of headache that is related to another medical condition.⁴ In addition to head pain, infected sinuses can also cause yellow/green discharge from your nose, facial pressure around the sinuses, halitosis (bad breath), fever and pain in your teeth and ears.¹

Most cases of acute sinus infections last about 10 days, but long-term cases (also known as chronic sinusitis) can last 12 weeks or more.¹ See a doctor for treatment options if your symptoms do not improve or worsen after 10 days.¹

What is Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion is similar to sinus congestion: both obstruct your ability to breathe through your nose.⁵ Nasal congestion occurs when the blood vessels in the tissues that line the nose become inflamed and swollen, leading to increased mucus secretion and stuffiness.⁵

Some conditions that may lead to nasal congestion include exposure to allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold, environmental irritants like smoke or fumes, infections like the common cold and even certain medications.⁵

Nasal congestion usually doesn’t cause anything more serious than discomfort or frustration. A trip to the doctor’s office may help if you suspect your congestion is caused by a bacterial infection.^{5, 6} Some signs of bacterial infection include yellow or bloody nasal discharge, fever, or if symptoms last for 10 or more days.⁶ If you have a newborn who is having trouble with nursing or taking a bottle because of nasal congestion, contact your pediatrician immediately.⁶

How Do You Treat Sinus or Nasal Congestion?

Most sinus and nasal congestion symptoms can be treated in similar ways. Drinking plenty of fluids and using nasal washes or saline sprays can help relieve both, as increasing fluid intake helps thin out any nasal secretions.⁵ Nasal saline washes can help remove irritants and excessive mucus to make it easier to breathe through your nose.¹ Most sinus and nasal congestions are caused by viral infections, so talk to your doctor about finding medications that work best for your condition.^{1, 5} Acupressure, acupuncture or facial massage can help reduce the pain and pressure symptoms that accompany sinus congestion.¹ 

Congestion of any sort can feel irritating, but even the stuffiest of noses can find relief over time. Learn about how cold medicine works and find helpful health advice from the Robitussin Cough and Cold Center.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

**Robitussin products are not intended to treat sinus/nasal congestion.

We are aware of FDA’s proposed order to remove oral phenylephrine (PE) as a nasal decongestant from the OTC monograph. Note, FDA’s proposed order does not question the safety of oral PE, only efficacy. We have introduced several new formulations across our brand portfolios to remove oral PE, to ensure product availability for consumers to treat their symptoms ahead of the 2024/2025 cold, cough, flu season and to provide new remedies and forms to ensure people have options.