Allergic sinusitis is a chronic disease that can last up to several months, making it much more dangerous than bacterial sinusitis. As such, it is helpful to know how to distinguish the symptoms of allergic sinusitis from those caused by a viral infection. Check out how to cure allergic sinusitis.

Contents:

  1. Allergic sinusitis - symptoms
  2. Allergic sinusitis treatment
  3. Allergic sinusitis - surgery
  4. Types and causes of sinus infections

Allergic sinusitis , or inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses, is a long-term blockage of the sinus tunnels due to untreated allergies. Unlike regular sinusitis, it's not caused directly by viruses or bacteria, but from allergens.

Allergic sinusitis - symptoms

Allergic sinusitis manifests itself:

  • colorless nasal mucus
  • loss of smell and taste
  • with a bad taste in your mouth
  • sore throat and cough
  • chronic or recurrent runny nose
  • pain in the head and maxillary sinuses (sometimes toothache)
  • a feeling of pressure at the base of the nose, which is magnified by tilting
  • feeling of stuffy nose, no secretion coming out while cleansing it

Allergic sinusitis , unlike viral sinusitis, lasts more than 12 weeks and is not manifested by fever, general malaise or purulent lesions.

Allergic sinusitis treatment

People struggling with allergic sinusitis should avoid not only the allergen responsible for the allergy, but also substances that irritate the respiratory tract, such as tobacco smoke.

They should then perform the necessary allergy tests, including skin tests or blood tests (to detect IgE allergens). After consulting a doctor, they should be given antihistamines that will block the effects of histamine, which is responsible for allergies.

A nasal cytology can also be performed to diagnose the cause of sinusitis. Thanks to it, the patient finds out whether bacteria, viruses or allergens are responsible for chronic sinusitis. The result of the cytology depends largely on the quantityeosinophils, or cells of the immune system. If there are a lot of them, it's very possible that the sinusitis is the result of an allergy.

People struggling with allergic sinusitis can use steam inhalations, i.e. sausages that will help thin the mucus and facilitate drainage.

In order to calm down or even completely get rid of the symptoms of allergic sinusitis, steroids in the form of nasal drops are also used. Desensitization is also recommended with this type of therapy.

Sea s alt solutions can also bring relief. However, in the case of allergic sinusitis, do not use long-term runny nose drops. Although they will bring relief for a while, they can cause drug-induced rhinitis if used for too long. In this case, after dropping the drops, the blood vessels dilate and swelling in the area of ​​the nose and sinuses reappear.

In some cases, ENT doctors also recommend rinsing the sinuses. However, do not perform it on your own and always consult your doctor.

Allergic sinusitis - surgery

It happens that in patients with allergic sinusitis, despite appropriate treatment methods, surgery should be performed to open the sinus opening.

It should be noted that allergic sinusitis increases the risk of developing secondary bacterial sinusitis because blocked sinuses create an environment that promotes bacterial growth. Therefore, after several months of ineffective treatment, the operation may be a good solution to the problem.

The operation involves the introduction of a fiberscope into the nasal cavity and the widening of the mouth-ductal complexes, i.e. the expansion of the holes at the mouth of the sinuses into the nasal cavity and the removal of secretions remaining in them.

This treatment is a last resort and is used when all other treatments for allergic sinusitis have failed.

Types and causes of sinus infections

The sinuses warm, moisturize and clean the air you breathe. As a result, it does not irritate the mucosa of the respiratory tract as it passes further into the throat and lungs. The nose and sinuses are also the first immune barrier to viruses, bacteria and allergens. What Happens When Your Sinuses Are Sick? What are the most common sinus problems? These and many other questions related to sinus diseases are answered by our otolaryngologist, Michał Michalik.

  • Sinusitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
  • Home remedies for sinusitis
  • Allergic rhinitis (AR): symptomatic treatmentallergic rhinitis
  • Allergy or cold? How to distinguish a cold from an allergy?
About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

Read more articles by this author

Category:

Allergies