About Kathleen MacNaughton Expertise As a registered nurse and health educator, as well as a person living with nasal allergies, eczema, allergic asthma, and eye allergies, I can answer questions related to allergy symptoms, triggers, diagnosis, and treatment.
Experience I have lived with severe nasal, eye, and skin allergies all of my life. I also have allergic asthma. In addition, I have been an RN for more than 30 years and have spent the last 10 years as a consumer health educator, both offline and online, specializing in the areas of allergies and asthma.
Publications About.com (asthma), HealthCentral.com (asthma and allergy networks), RhinocortAqua.com, EverydayKidz.com
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Syracuse University.
Question About a month ago, I went to Minute Clinic because I had been having prolonged "stuffiness" in my nose, and pressure up in my sinus area. I've had sinus infections before, so I felt ok going to a clinic that wasn't really able to confirm the infection, but examine me based on my symptoms. I was put on Amoxicillan for 10 days. It started to get better, but a couple of days after I finished the medication, it came back even worse. I finally went into my regular clinic, and was kind of upset by my "exam". The doctor told me to get a "neti-pot" and take my allergy medicine. I had to actually ask him to even look in my nose or ears. He was dead set on the holistic approach, stating that even though I was alredy using a nasal irrigation system, it wasn't good enough, and I had to get the kind he recommended. That was yesterday, and now today, I'm even worse. I use the irrigation, and green stuff comes out my nose, and then about 15 minutes later, my sinus' seem fuller than before. If this is a sinus infection, will this irrigation clear it up? Does the green mucous mean it's an infection? Is there a way to prove a sinus infection? I didn't want to go back because I was just there! If I go back, what do I need to ask for from them? Should they be taking X-Rays or something? Thank you for your help!
Answer Hi Stacy,
I'm not sure I can answer every part of your question, but I'll try to do what I can. Greenish or yellowish discharge is usually associated with infection, especially if it is foul-testing. Do you have headaches?
A Cat scan of the sinuses (CT) can be done to detect sinusitis in some cases.
I would suggest that you find a different urgent care clinic to go to since the Minute Clinic doctor wasn't responsive to your questions. You always have a right to a second opinion.
