Abstract: A composition and method useful for treating commonly occurring inflammatory disease of the nose, ears and sinuses are described. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a naturally occuring and generally non-toxic composition, is one of the key mediators of the biomolecular inflammatory reaction. IL-1 antagonists have been found in the human body. The IL-1 antagonists are thought to function as natural modulators of the inflammatory response. The present invention employs IL-1 receptor antagonist to block the runaway inflammatory cascade associated with inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses and middle ear. The composition and method prevents the long term complications of this disease and reduces the need for costly surgical intervention which is currently performed in more advanced cases.