Your nose is running, your sinuses are blocked, and you feel miserable. But how do you know if you have allergies or a sinus infection? Both conditions cause similar symptoms, but there are a few differences that can help you identify your illness and get the treatment you need.
Our team at Low Testosterone and Weight Loss Center diagnoses and treats both sinus infections and allergies, so regardless of the cause of your symptoms, contact us for expert, personalized care.
Allergies and sinus infections
While allergies and sinus infections are very different illnesses and require different treatments. Allergies are an overreaction of your immune system to a usually benign substance known as an allergen. A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your sinuses are infected by a virus, bacteria, or fungi.
Sinus infections often develop after a cold or other upper respiratory infection, when your sinuses and immune system are already weakened, and you can introduce bacteria or a virus into your sinuses by frequently touching your nose.
Know the symptoms
Both allergies and sinus infections cause:
- Nasal inflammation
- Sinus congestion
- Headaches
- Postnasal drip
- Runny nose
Some of the telltale differences are that allergies make your eyes watery and itchy and cause sneezing, while sinus infections cause facial pain, thick green or yellow discharge, fever, and bad breath.
Treatments of allergies vs. sinus infections
You can manage the symptoms of both allergies and sinus infections with over-the-counter medications like decongestants and antihistamines. But these medications work differently, and if you have a sinus infection, allergy medication won’t help.
Additionally, both allergies and sinus infections can be chronic and cause symptoms that last for weeks or even months. If you’ve been suffering from your symptoms for ages, make an appointment with us at Low Testosterone and Weight Loss Center for expert diagnosis and treatment.
Treating allergies
We start with allergy testing to identify the specific allergens that trigger your symptoms. We offer skin and blood tests to assess your allergies. In many cases, airborne allergens like pollen or dust trigger allergic reactions. It’s also possible for your allergic symptoms to be caused by another type of allergen like a specific food.
Once we know what’s causing your allergies, we develop a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of future reactions. For example, ways of avoiding your specific allergens are a common component of allergy treatment plans.
We can also prescribe medication to relieve your symptoms. And we might recommend immunotherapy, which helps your body increase its resistance to an allergen.
Treating sinus infections
Again, we begin with testing to identify the cause of your sinusitis, such as a nasal swab to check for a bacterial or fungal infection. Then we offer treatment to address the cause of your infection such as antiviral medicine, antibiotics, or antifungals.
We might also recommend a short prescription of corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation in your sinuses, which makes it easier for you to breathe and get the rest you need to allow your body to fight off your illness.
You don’t have to suffer from chronic congestion and other symptoms. We can diagnose your condition and provide the personalized treatment you need to alleviate your symptoms and improve your health. Call us or request an appointment using our online tool today.