What kind of effects do tobacco smoke and other irritants have on the sinuses?

Tobacco smoke and various other irritants may cause worsening of symptoms.

Those irritants include auto exhaust, gasoline fumes, paint fumes, perfume, roach spray and household chemicals such as bleach, etc.

Cigarette smoke paralyzes the tiny hairs (cilia) which move mucus out of the sinuses.

It also causes irritation and inflammation in the nose and respiratory tract.

There is no good way to effectively treat these exposures, and as a result they must be avoided.

Sometimes using an air filter will be helpful in removing them.

The most helpful ones typically are called HEPA filters.