A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses, or the air-filled cavities in the face, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). Sinus infections occur when fluid builds up in the sinuses, which allows germs to grow, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the ACAAI, common symptoms of a sinus infection include:

Postnasal dripDiscolored (greenish) nasal dischargeNasal stuffiness or congestionTenderness of the face (especially under the eyes or at the bridge of the nose)Headache in the front of the headPain in the teethCoughingFeverFatigueBad breath

A sinus infection can be caused by a bacterial infection, viruses, or fungi (mold), notes the ACAAI. Allergies and asthma are also linked to sinus infections. A bad cold is often mistakenly believed to be a sinus infection, per the ACAAI. Symptoms of migraine can also be confused with symptoms of a sinus infection: Many people think they’re having a “sinus headache” when in fact they’re having a migraine attack. RELATED: Is It a Migraine Attack or a Sinus Headache? According to the CDC, you can help prevent sinus infections by staying healthy and avoiding germs and allergens. These tips can help:

1. Wash Your Hands and Avoid Getting Sick

Viruses are the most common cause of sinus infections, per the CDC. Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly can help you avoid viruses, as can avoiding close contact with people who have a cold or an upper respiratory infection. Aim to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, advises the CDC. If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. “Healthy diet and lifestyle with nutritious food, sleep, and exercise and limiting alcohol consumption will also protect you from getting sick,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, allergist and immunologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. So can wearing a mask to avoid infection, she adds.

2. Steer Clear of Cigarette Smoke and Other Fumes

To keep your sinuses infection-free, don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke, per the CDC. Tobacco smoke and contaminants in polluted air can irritate and inflame your lungs and nasal passages, and increase your risk of getting chronic sinusitis, notes Mayo Clinic. If you do smoke, the CDC has resources to help you quit, including free coaching. In addition to tobacco smoke, anything inhaled is bad for you and can inflame your nasal and lung passages, adds Dr. Parikh. A study published in November 2022 in Radiology found that inflammation and emphysema or lung damage were actually more common in marijuana smokers than in nonsmokers and tobacco-only smokers, Parikh notes. According to the study, this could be due to the fact there is no filter on marijuana joints and you hold your breath longer.

3. Keep Your Sinuses Moist

If the air in your home is dry, adding more moisture to the air with a humidifier may help prevent sinusitis, according to Mayo Clinic. But be sure to clean your humidifier thoroughly and regularly to keep it free of mold. Mayo Clinic suggests emptying the tank and drying all surfaces of the humidifier once a day. You can also refill the tank with bottled water labeled “distilled” or “purified,” which has a lower mineral content than most tap water, so it’s less likely to foster the growth of bacteria and mold.

Staying up to date on your recommended vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, can help you stay healthy and avoid sinus infections, per the CDC. RELATED: Your Fall Vaccination Guide: Protect Yourself Against the Flu, Pneumonia, and Shingles “Many don’t realize, but the pneumonia vaccine protects against the most common bacteria that causes sinus disease and pneumonia,” says Parikh. “It is indicated for many people above age 18 who have a chronic condition [or are] smokers. Many do not realize this is not just an old person vaccine. Flu and COVID boosters are important as well given the recent tripledemic we are in, and they make up the majority of cases along with other viruses.”

5. Avoid Common Allergens

People who have allergies and asthma are at greater risk of sinus infections, notes the ACAAI. “Allergies and asthma both cause a buildup of inflammation and mucus in your sinuses and lungs,” explains Parikh. “As a result you are more prone to difficulty clearing viruses and bacteria from your lungs and get sick more often. When people’s allergies and asthma are under control, they get sick much less.” Allergic sinusitis is a reaction to inhalants such as dust, pollen, smoke, and animal dander, according to Cedars-Sinai. Avoiding these allergens is the best way to avoid allergic sinusitis.

6. Clean and Irrigate Your Sinuses

Nasal irrigation is an easy way to help prevent and treat sinus problems, according to Harvard Health Publishing. You can do this with a small bulb syringe or a neti pot. Harvard Health recommends following these steps once or more each day:

Stir ½ teaspoon (tsp) of noniodized salt and ½ tsp of baking soda into 2 cups of lukewarm distilled water or water that has been previously boiled and cooled. (Do not use tap water, which is not adequately filtered or treated, and may contain low levels of organisms that can cause potentially serious infections, notes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.)Fill a small bulb syringe with the homemade saltwater solution, or use a neti pot to stream the solution through your nose.Lean over your sink, insert the tip of the syringe inside one nostril, and gently squeeze the bulb. The water will flow back out the same nostril (or the opposite nostril) and into the sink. Use at least one full bulb of the saline solution.Repeat these steps in the other nostril.Give your bulb syringe or neti pot a thorough rinse with distilled or cooled boiled water and dry it after each use.

However, while cleaning and irrigating your sinuses is a temporary fix that may provide symptomatic relief, you don’t need to do this to treat sinusitis, says Parikh. “The main way to treat sinusitis is to address the underlying cause — allergies versus infection,” she explains. If you do choose to irrigate your sinuses, be sure to clear the procedure with your physician first, as some diabetics may be prone to fungal infections that can be made worse by irrigation, she adds.

7. Drink Fluids for Healthy Sinuses

To decrease your chance of developing sinusitis or to relieve early sinusitis symptoms, it’s important to drain nasal passages and keep them clear, per Harvard Health. One way to do that is to drink lots of water throughout the day, because proper hydration helps keep mucus thin and loose.