Allergy and Sinusitis have a lot of common symptoms. Oft people confuse Allergy for Sinusitis and vice versa, and in the process suffer. Dr. Wade Han, who specializes in Otorhinolaryngology, & has a vast experience in treating both sinusitis & allergy. He says that it is very important for patients to ascertain whether it is Allergy or Sinusitis in order to get the right treatment. Hence, he explains the difference between the two here.
What is Sinusitis?
Around our nasal cavity, there are air filled spaces called sinuses. They serve as a potential site for infections. Infections of the sinuses leads to their inflammation. This is what they call as sinusitis.
What is allergy?
Allergy is an immune mediated reaction which does not involve any infection. Dr. Han told me that there are various types of allergies.
How they differ?
Of the various allergies, allergic rhinitis can be confused with sinusitis. But Sinusitis is due to an infection while allergy is immunologically based. In-fact, sinusitis can occur as a complication in a poorly treated allergic rhinitis.
How they present?
• Allergic rhinitis presents with a watery nasal discharge with no peculiar smell. Sinusitis can also have a nasal discharge but according to Dr. Wade Han, it is more of a thick, foul smelling, often yellow or green discharge.
• Sinusitis often has severe headache. This is not frequently true of allergic rhinitis.
• Allergic rhinitis can have several associated allergic conditions like dermatitis or Asthma. Sinusitis is not associated with these, unless it results as a complication of allergic rhinitis.
• Sinusitis can have problems like osteomyelitis or bad breath odor. These are not seen in allergic rhinitis.
The treatments of both?
• Allergic rhinitis requires a number of tests to detect the cause of the allergy. Then, sensitization can be tried. If it does not work, avoidance of allergen is preferred. Symptomatic treatment of the intermittent episodes is often enough.
• Sinusitis, on the other hand, may require culture of the discharge. Antibiotic treatment is needed. Some advanced cases may need surgery on the sinuses.
But Dr. Han warns that your allergy could also be allergic rhinitis. To find out the difference between the two, read - Difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis, Explains Dr. Han
What is Sinusitis?
Around our nasal cavity, there are air filled spaces called sinuses. They serve as a potential site for infections. Infections of the sinuses leads to their inflammation. This is what they call as sinusitis.
What is allergy?
Allergy is an immune mediated reaction which does not involve any infection. Dr. Han told me that there are various types of allergies.
How they differ?
Of the various allergies, allergic rhinitis can be confused with sinusitis. But Sinusitis is due to an infection while allergy is immunologically based. In-fact, sinusitis can occur as a complication in a poorly treated allergic rhinitis.
How they present?
• Allergic rhinitis presents with a watery nasal discharge with no peculiar smell. Sinusitis can also have a nasal discharge but according to Dr. Wade Han, it is more of a thick, foul smelling, often yellow or green discharge.
• Sinusitis often has severe headache. This is not frequently true of allergic rhinitis.
• Allergic rhinitis can have several associated allergic conditions like dermatitis or Asthma. Sinusitis is not associated with these, unless it results as a complication of allergic rhinitis.
• Sinusitis can have problems like osteomyelitis or bad breath odor. These are not seen in allergic rhinitis.
The treatments of both?
• Allergic rhinitis requires a number of tests to detect the cause of the allergy. Then, sensitization can be tried. If it does not work, avoidance of allergen is preferred. Symptomatic treatment of the intermittent episodes is often enough.
• Sinusitis, on the other hand, may require culture of the discharge. Antibiotic treatment is needed. Some advanced cases may need surgery on the sinuses.
But Dr. Han warns that your allergy could also be allergic rhinitis. To find out the difference between the two, read - Difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis, Explains Dr. Han
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