What is the difference between allergies and sinus infection?

In addition to some different symptoms, sinus infections and allergies have other basic differences:

Reasons

Allergies: Allergies are caused by an extremely active immune response to allergens such as pollen or dust. When it is activated, the immune system increases histamines, chemicals and mucus production that causes sneezing. Other chemicals activate the process of inflammation and cause nasal congestion and swelling.

Sinus infection: Sinus infections may occur due to a upper respiratory tract infection that affects the nose or throat caused by viruses or bacteria. The sinuses running behind the eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead are inflamed and blocked. It accumulates in mucus sinuses and causes pain or pressure. Bacteria enters the nose, mouth or eyes growing in the mucus blocked in the body.

Viral infections are the most common cause of sinus infections in people with healthy immune system. People with weak immune systems can develop sinus infections from fungi or bacteria, which can cause more serious health concerns.

Predictability

Allergies: Allergies It can be perennial (all year round) or seasonal. Indoor allergens such as dust, pet dander and mold typically cause perennial allergies. Seasonal allergies tend to shine in spring, summer or autumn, where tree or grass pollen begins to proliferate. Ragweed blooms from August to November and is the most common cause of autumn seasonal allergies.

People with seasonal allergies can often predict when their symptoms will get worse. They can then take precautions to avoid exterior allergens.

Sinus infections: Sinus infections are usually unpredictable. It may occur when someone has swelling and mucus accumulation in their sinuses.

Treatments

Allergies: The best treatment for allergies is to avoid allergen that causes symptoms. Treatments such as antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and immunotherapy (allergies) can help reduce swelling and other allergies symptoms.

Sinus infection: It depends on how to treat a sinus infection. With virus -based sinus infections, infection is typically cleaned with plenty of rest. Health service providers sometimes recommend or prescribe corticosteroid nasal sprays and anti-inflammatory drugs.

The cause of allergies is that allergy treatment will help to avoid future infections. If bacteria causes your sinusitis or a bacterial infection developed from mucus accumulation, you may need antibiotics to clean the infection.

Despite their differences, some similarities between allergies and sinus infections can make it difficult to distinguish them:

Common conditions

Up to 1 in 6 People live with allergic rhinitis. It is one of the most common chronic disorders among children and is very common in people aged 20-40 years.

Sinus infections are one of the leading causes of antibiotic prescriptions. It is common in children under 15 years of age and adults aged 25-64 years.

Acute, chronic or recurrent

Acute (short -term) allergies occur when someone comes into contact with something with allergies. When allergen is no longer available, symptoms typically go. Seasonal allergies cause recurrent (repeated) allergies symptoms during periods when some trees or herbs bloom. Allergens are always available because perennial allergies often cause chronic (long -term) allergy symptoms.

Sinusitis is considered acute when it lasts less than four weeks. If the symptoms last for 12 or more weeks, they become chronic. Some people have repetitive sinusitis with four or more acute sinusitis episodes in the same year.

Share some treatments

Although some treatments are specific to any situation, the two share some options.

Allergies and sinus infections include swelling of nasal passages. Drugs such as corticosteroids and decongestants can help reduce swelling and open sinuses for both conditions. Steam, hot compresses and saline nasal sprays or rinsing can help alleviate sinus pain and pressure.

It is possible to have allergy and sinus infection at the same time because it has different reasons. When nasal congestion causes bacterial growth in block mucus and sinuses, allergies can also cause sinus infection.

It may be difficult to say whether allergies turn into sinus infection. If you develop a fever or thick or colorless mucus in some cases, you may have developed sinusitis above your allergies.

Primer -step health care provider or pediatrician can diagnose allergies and sinus infections. However, these providers may need to direct you to an allergicist or an ears, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who can test or treat any complications.

If you have slight allergy symptoms, you can manage them with the dishes (OTC) drugs such as zyrtec (setiirizin) and saline rinsing. However, if the symptoms become more severe, make an appointment with your provider.

If you or your child has any of the following, call a health care provider immediately:

• Severe pain
• A fire that lasts more than four days
• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
• Symptoms that develop but deteriorate again

Allergies and sinus infections share various symptoms, but often have different causes and treatments.

While allergies react to allergens such as pollen, your immune system is most commonly caused by viruses or bacteria.

Knowing the difference between the two conditions can help you choose the right treatment and feel faster.