FOR YOUR HEALTH: Allergies or sinus infection: When to seek treatment
The sneezing, the dry cough, sinus pain and pressure. Although most folks are glad to see the weather break and the warm temperatures stay, allergies and sinus issues come with the change. As the amount of pollen increases and more time is spent outside, many people start to have allergy symptoms. Some get sinus infections that are treated by medical providers. What is the difference between allergies and an actual sinus infection?
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UH Samaritans’ Dr. Snyder, a family provider, says allergies tend to be seasonal, starting when things are blooming and usually fade away. Typically symptoms from allergies can include sneezing, runny or itchy nose and itching eyes. Allergy symptoms may be a result of the body’s response to pollen, grasses or weeds, dust mites, mold and pollution or smoke. Treatments for allergies usually include medications that control the symptoms. Some medications may be prescribed by a medical provider, while some can be purchased over the counter.
Sinus infections, sometimes referred to as sinusitis, can be a bacterial infection of a sinus cavity that can need treatment by a medical provider. Typical symptoms of a sinus infection can include nasal congestion, facial pressure or swelling in the cheeks or around the eyes, headache, loss of taste or smell, and sometimes a fever. Dr. Snyder says there is nasal drainage with a sinus infection, usually from only one side of the nose.
Allergies and sinus issues can be confused, so pay close attention to symptoms
These two conditions can be confused with one and other, so paying close attention to the symptoms is important. Allergies cause the linings of the sinuses and nose to inflame and are the body’s response to different allergens. Sinusitis, on the other hand, is an infection and inflammation in one of the four sinus cavities. With allergies, over the counter medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays may be helpful to reduce the inflammation and nasal drainage. Sinusitis, if caused by a bacterial infection, may need treated with antibiotic prescribed by a medical provider.
While the antibiotic is necessary in some instances, Dr. Snyder says providers are cautious when prescribing these medications because they can kill off “good bacteria” as they kill the “bad bacteria”. Too much antibiotic use when it is not needed can cause a resistance within the body to. This resistance can be an issue if the need should arise for treatment of an infection of a serious nature.
Dr. Snyder says if symptoms begin and are allergies, they should improve with changing season and with medication like antihistamines and over the counter nasal sprays. If symptoms persist and do not improve over the course of a couple weeks, you should see a doctor. As with any infection, if left untreated, even a sinus infection could possibly cause other complications. In some cases the sinusitis and other symptoms can actually be caused by nasal polyps or a deviated septum. In these cases, further treatment would be needed.
If you do not have a doctor and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Snyder, or one of the other providers at Ashland Family practice call, 419-289-0333. If you would like to explore other UH Samaritan family provider practices in the community visit uhhospitals.org/schedule.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: FOR YOUR HEALTH: Allergies or sinus infection: When to seek treatment
