With the summer season coming to an end and the weather is cooling off, it is a highest time for allergies, sinus infections and more. But how will you know which is which? When their symptoms present similarly, these conditions can be hard to self-treat and self-diagnose Luckily, as a leading practice in rhinology, we have ways on how to find the difference between allergies from a stubborn sinus infection.
A sinus infection (sinusitis) causes your nasal cavities and passages to swell and become inflamed. This swelling makes it hard for your sinuses to drain as they normally would, causing a build-up of mucus. This is what causes you to become congested and have difficulty breathing through your nose. A clear symptom of a sinus infection is a thick green or yellow discharge from your nose. A sinus infection may also present with a cough, sore throat, headache, and pressure tenderness around your nose, eyes, forehead and cheeks
Mostly, sinus infections are caused by a virus and last for about ten days. You can care for a sinus infection with lots of fluids and rest. Over the counter painkillers and decongestants can give some relief as well. Sometimes, sinus infections are caused by bacteria but has the same symptoms. If a bacterial sinus infection continues for more than two weeks, then you may need to get an antibiotic from a doctor.
While allergies can have similar symptoms as a sinus infection—like a runny nose, sinus pressure and congestion— but it is totally different problem than a sinus infection. Allergies, or allergic rhinitis, are caused by environmental allergens, such as pollen, dander, or dust mites. Being allergic to these aspects causes your immune system to release histamine, which can cause allergy symptoms.
One of the best ways to differentiate allergies from a sinus infection is itchy, watery eyes. A very rarely symptom of a sinus infection is eye itchiness. However, allergies rarely produce thick green or yellow nasal discharge, like a sinus infection almost always does.
Moreover, the time of the year can also help you determine if your symptoms are allergy or sinus infection related. If you know you are allergic to particular seasonal problems—such as spores or pollen— then you realize that in the spring you may be suffering from tree pollen allergies, in the summer mold allergies or grass pollen and in the fall ragweed pollen allergies.
Allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines
If you are still not sure about whether you have a sinus infection or allergies, consult a physician who can help you determine what is the cause for your symptoms and come up with a treatment.
