Allergies vs Sinusitis: What is the difference?

1. (713) 340-3111 Online Check-In  Allergies vs. Sinusitis: What is the Difference?  Prime Urgent Care  April 6, 2022 Allergies and sinusitis are both common conditions of the sinuses (the four paired cavities or the passages that lead to the nose). They often cause signi?cant irritation to the sinus cavity while producing symptoms that negatively affect a person’s day-to-day routines and activities, such as fever and headaches. The symptoms produced from both conditions are often very similar and can get confused by sufferers. Hi there, have a question? Live chat with us here. There are various treatments for both conditions that can help to reduce (or eliminate) symptoms, although before we examine the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders let’s ?rst understand the distinctions between the two.

2. Allergies vs. Sinusitis Allergies are caused by the immune system’s response (or “reaction”) to something speci?c in the environment. Allergic reactions can be triggered by a variety of allergens, such as food, pollen, mold, latex, animals (dander/skin ?akes/hair), dust, mites, household chemicals, metals, etc. Some allergies may only brie?y cause a reaction and symptoms, while others can be experienced throughout a person’s life unless treatment is sought. Sinusitis is the in?ammation or swelling of the tissues in the sinuses. This condition can be caused by bacteria, fungus, allergens, or viruses that cause swelling and the blocking of sinus cavities. A few causes of sinusitis include: common cold or ?u deviated septum seasonal allergies polyps in the nasal cavity smoking Although allergies and sinusitis share many symptoms, the following table can help you better understand some primary differences between these conditions: Symptoms Allergies Sinusitis ✓ x Bad breath ✓ x Fever ✓ ✓ Headache ✓ x Itchy and watery eyes ✓ ✓ Nasal congestion ✓ x Pain in eyes and cheeks ✓ x Thick, green/yellow nasal discharge ✓ x Toothache Dif?culty breathing through your nose ✓ ✓

3. Symptoms Allergies Sinusitis ✓ x Unable to blow your nose How are Allergies & Sinusitis Diagnosed? Allergies are usually diagnosed in three steps by a healthcare professional or allergist: The ?rst step involves evaluating a patient’s medical history to understand and identify the allergen(s) causing the reaction. Patients are asked questions about family history, medications, and lifestyle/environmental factors involving work, home, and school. The second step involves a physical examination where a healthcare professional or allergist will pay particular attention to the ears, nose, throat, eyes, chest, and skin to evaluate if/how allergies are affecting a patient. The third, and ?nal, step involves an allergy test(s) to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. There are several tests available to help with a diagnosis although not every test will prove effective in producing a correct diagnosis. These tests are an effective tool in a diagnosis, and can include: Skin Prick Test (SPT) Intradermal Skin Test Blood Tests Challenge Tests (supervised by a physician) Patch Test The diagnosis of sinusitis is very similar to allergies: The ?rst step involves a meeting with a healthcare provider to review family history and ask questions to better understand a patient’s speci?c symptoms. The second step involves a physical examination by a healthcare professional, usually involving a endoscope to examine the ears, nose and throat for signs of infection, blockages, drainage, and/or swelling. These initial steps usually provide enough information for a diagnosis of sinusitis. For more severe or complicated cases, a patient might be referred to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctor. Additional tests might include a CT scan to understand any structural impediments or issues that might be causing in?ammation and swelling of the sinuses.

4. Available Treatments for Allergies and Sinusitis The treatment of allergies usually depends on the allergens or factors triggering them. Here is a list of common treatments for a wide range of allergies: Nasal steroids Antihistamines Decongestants Oral steroids Immunotherapy Epinephrine auto-injector Sudafed Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Fexofenadine (Allegra) Loratadine (Claritin) The treatment of a simple case of sinusitis focuses on unblocking the sinuses and nasal passages to reduce the risk of any further in?ammation and infection. Treatments include: Antihistamines Decongestants Sinus ?ushes Steam inhalation Saline sprays Steroid sprays Nasal strips If symptoms persist after 10 days, a healthcare provider will usually prescribe antibiotics, intranasal steroid sprays, and/or topical/oral decongestants to reduce the possibility that a nasal infection develops. Long-term (or chronic) sinusitis can only be treated if the cause (usually allergies) is identi?ed so a treatment plan can implemented to test its ef?cacy in reducing symptoms. For some severe conditions, surgical intervention is the last option to clear nasal/sinus cavities and reduce in?ammation. Urgent Care Services

5. If you are experiencing acute or persistent allergic reactions or sinusitis, Prime Urgent Care is here to help.  We are a leading provider of urgent care services in Houston, TX who has experienced healthcare professionals, state-of-the art clinics, and diagnostic equipment to diagnose and treat most sinus-related issues and conditions. When you a visit one of our walk-in medical centers in Pearland and Missouri City, our healthcare providers will: 1. Review your health history and current condition 2. Conduct a physical evaluation and understand your symptoms 3. (If needed) Use diagnostic testing to understand the cause of the condition 4. (If needed) Develop a treatment plan 5. (If needed) Prescribe medication(s)  6. (If needed) Provide an ENT referral for more complex cases  Our goal is always to provide a quick, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plans to get our patients feeling better quickly. If needed, we will refer our patients to specialists for more advanced evaluations, testing, and treatments. Prime Urgent Care is open 7 days a week with extended hours on weekdays. We offer competitive self-pay rates and online check-in options for convenient scheduling. To schedule an appointment, visit us at https://primeuc.com/ or call us at (713) 340-3111.   Related Posts CURRENT NEWS Allergies vs. Sinusitis: What is the Difference? Allergies and sinusitis are both common conditions of the sinuses (the four paired cavities or the passages that lead to the nose). They often cause Read More » What are the Differences Between Urgent Care Clinics and an Emergency Rooms (ER)? Medical care for a sprained ankle, broken bone, or other acute injury or illness is necessary, although a question that often comes up for many Read More » What is Self-Pay in Healthcare and How Does it Work? Healthcare costs in the U.S. continue to increase. According to KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), an American family of four spends approximately 12% of its total Read More »

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