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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Sinusitis
Question: Hello,
I am 43, male, no conditions, not on any medications (aside from the one I will explain in this question).
For past few months, every 2-3 days, I get thick brownish nasal mucous which has a sort of metallic smell. I blow or wipe it out. It then drys and get crusty a bit. After, it seems ok and back to normal. No congestion, no difficulty breathing/sleeping. Just that brown mucous coming in waves. I've never had that before.
I went to the ENT and he did a flexible nasoendoscopy, said the sinuses look fine, but he could see the crusty stuff in my nasal passage and said it could be staff infection.
He prescribed Bactroban nasal ointment.
I have taken it only once so far, but decided to search its side effects. I saw in rare cases it can cause C-difficile. I was worried because last year, after taking ciprofloxicin for a week, my intestinal flora got badly altered as I had some very noticeable changes in regularity and stool consistency changes. It took months to get back to normal.
So my question is, should I be worried? Or is this Bactroban essentially harmless?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
I am 43, male, no conditions, not on any medications (aside from the one I will explain in this question).
For past few months, every 2-3 days, I get thick brownish nasal mucous which has a sort of metallic smell. I blow or wipe it out. It then drys and get crusty a bit. After, it seems ok and back to normal. No congestion, no difficulty breathing/sleeping. Just that brown mucous coming in waves. I've never had that before.
I went to the ENT and he did a flexible nasoendoscopy, said the sinuses look fine, but he could see the crusty stuff in my nasal passage and said it could be staff infection.
He prescribed Bactroban nasal ointment.
I have taken it only once so far, but decided to search its side effects. I saw in rare cases it can cause C-difficile. I was worried because last year, after taking ciprofloxicin for a week, my intestinal flora got badly altered as I had some very noticeable changes in regularity and stool consistency changes. It took months to get back to normal.
So my question is, should I be worried? Or is this Bactroban essentially harmless?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Recurrent sinusitis...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting the query. I have gone through the query thoroughly and understood your problem, I'll try my best to help you with this.
1. The brownish discharge could be the sinus secretions with blood mixed. This sort of secretions are also noted in the allergic nasal conditions.
2. A CT scan of the paranasal sinuses can help in confirming the diagnosis, as well as, assessing the nature of the sinuses.
3. Bactroban nasal ointment has to be used if there is any infection in the outer part of the nose. But, according to your history I doubt you are having an infection of the nasal vestibule.
4. My suggestions to you are:
a. Drink plenty of warm water. This will keep the nasal mucosa hydrated and moist.
b. Use saline nasal spray as frequently as possible to clean the nose and clear the nasal secretions.
c. Try taking a mucolytic such as bromhexine or ambroxol for easy clearance of the mucus.
d. Do steam inhalation for at least 2 times a day.
e. Avoid chilled food and beverages, coffee and smoking.
Hope with these measures you should be alright. Revert back to me if you are having follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Recurrent sinusitis...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting the query. I have gone through the query thoroughly and understood your problem, I'll try my best to help you with this.
1. The brownish discharge could be the sinus secretions with blood mixed. This sort of secretions are also noted in the allergic nasal conditions.
2. A CT scan of the paranasal sinuses can help in confirming the diagnosis, as well as, assessing the nature of the sinuses.
3. Bactroban nasal ointment has to be used if there is any infection in the outer part of the nose. But, according to your history I doubt you are having an infection of the nasal vestibule.
4. My suggestions to you are:
a. Drink plenty of warm water. This will keep the nasal mucosa hydrated and moist.
b. Use saline nasal spray as frequently as possible to clean the nose and clear the nasal secretions.
c. Try taking a mucolytic such as bromhexine or ambroxol for easy clearance of the mucus.
d. Do steam inhalation for at least 2 times a day.
e. Avoid chilled food and beverages, coffee and smoking.
Hope with these measures you should be alright. Revert back to me if you are having follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hello Doctor,
I just wanted to inform you first, that you helped me with a question yesterday concerning slight ringing in the ear/Valtrex, etc.. and this question is a sort of "part 2" as during my ENT visit I also asked him to evaluate my nasal passage for this recurring brown discharge....
Thank you for your answer. I will try to keep irrigating my nasal passage with the saline nasal spray as well as the other things.
I took the Bactroban today and to be honest, I don't really feel so great after.
Should I discontinue it even though I've started (only once so far)?
Does Bactroban get absorbed into the bloodstream?
Are adverse side effects common?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Just wanted to add, the ENT gave me a CDrom of the nasoendoscopy, would you like me to extract the images/video and send it to you? It may help...
I just wanted to inform you first, that you helped me with a question yesterday concerning slight ringing in the ear/Valtrex, etc.. and this question is a sort of "part 2" as during my ENT visit I also asked him to evaluate my nasal passage for this recurring brown discharge....
Thank you for your answer. I will try to keep irrigating my nasal passage with the saline nasal spray as well as the other things.
I took the Bactroban today and to be honest, I don't really feel so great after.
Should I discontinue it even though I've started (only once so far)?
Does Bactroban get absorbed into the bloodstream?
Are adverse side effects common?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Just wanted to add, the ENT gave me a CDrom of the nasoendoscopy, would you like me to extract the images/video and send it to you? It may help...
Brief Answer:
Please don't use Bactroban ointment...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
I would suggest you to stop using the Bactroban ointment as you don't have any wound or infection in front of the nose.
Bactroban ointment does not get absorbed into the blood.
If you could kindly send me the images from the nasal endoscopy done, I'll be able to help you in a better way.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Please don't use Bactroban ointment...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
I would suggest you to stop using the Bactroban ointment as you don't have any wound or infection in front of the nose.
Bactroban ointment does not get absorbed into the blood.
If you could kindly send me the images from the nasal endoscopy done, I'll be able to help you in a better way.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hello Doctor,
Thank you for your follow-up.
The endoscopy is a video of .wmv format and therefore I am not able to upload it using the default tool in the healthcaremagic.com site.
Do you have an e-mail address to which I could send it to?
Thanks and Regards, XXXXXXX
Thank you for your follow-up.
The endoscopy is a video of .wmv format and therefore I am not able to upload it using the default tool in the healthcaremagic.com site.
Do you have an e-mail address to which I could send it to?
Thanks and Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
email address is YYYY@YYYY
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back
You can send the video to YYYY@YYYY with subject line as "attention to Dr. Naveen Kumar". However, I am unsure if larger files can come through it.
Alternatively, you can choose to use any video sharing websites to share the same with me.
With best regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
email address is YYYY@YYYY
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back
You can send the video to YYYY@YYYY with subject line as "attention to Dr. Naveen Kumar". However, I am unsure if larger files can come through it.
Alternatively, you can choose to use any video sharing websites to share the same with me.
With best regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hello Doctor,
The video is only 4MB; file size should not be an issue.
So I've gone ahead and sent you an email with the nasal endoscopy video attached from my e-mail address " YYYY@YYYY ".
I await your analysis.
Regards, XXXXXXX
The video is only 4MB; file size should not be an issue.
So I've gone ahead and sent you an email with the nasal endoscopy video attached from my e-mail address " YYYY@YYYY ".
I await your analysis.
Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
No signs of active infection...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
I have gone through the video thoroughly and below are my findings.
1. At the entry of the nostrils there is some amount of light brown crusting, but no inflammation.
2. Mild deviation of the nasal septum is noticed to the left, narrowing the nasal cavity.
3. No major blocks or discharge noticed.
I would stick on to the comments made earlier and recommend you to continue with measures as advised before. Use saline nasal spray, drink plenty of warm water and do steam inhalation, you will feel a lot better. There is absolutely no role for the Bactroban ointment.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
No signs of active infection...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
I have gone through the video thoroughly and below are my findings.
1. At the entry of the nostrils there is some amount of light brown crusting, but no inflammation.
2. Mild deviation of the nasal septum is noticed to the left, narrowing the nasal cavity.
3. No major blocks or discharge noticed.
I would stick on to the comments made earlier and recommend you to continue with measures as advised before. Use saline nasal spray, drink plenty of warm water and do steam inhalation, you will feel a lot better. There is absolutely no role for the Bactroban ointment.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2543 Questions
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