Everything You Need to Know About Allergic Sinusitis
Allergic sinusitis is a reaction that happens because of exposure to inhalants like dust, pollen, or smoke, which causes inflammation of the tissue lining, the sinuses. Sinuses are used to make mucus that helps in keeping the inside of the nose moist and provides protection against pollutants. Sinuses are nothing but the hollow space within the bones between your eyes, behind the cheekbones and the forehead.
People are not born with this allergy, but they develop the symptom when too much exposure to the allergen. People sometimes inherit sinusitis from a family member who has had this allergy. An inheritable disorder like gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) can worsen the risk of developing sinus, which also runs in the family.
Symptoms
In the case of allergic sinusitis, individuals are sensitive to a certain food, indoor and outdoor allergens. When exposed to the triggers, they get an itchy nose, eyes, and throat. There are other symptoms of allergic sinusitis that can vary from season to season and include:
– Nasal congestion and drip
– Headache, tenderness, and swelling around cheeks, nose, forehead, and between the eyes
– Irritability, inability to focus, and fatigue
– Sleeping issues
– A reduced sense of taste or smell
A doctor can diagnose allergic sinusitis by performing a physical examination, allergy skin test, computed tomography, or CT scan, and by conducting a nasal endoscopy. This way, a physician can tell how bad the condition is and what the required treatment needs to be offered.
Treatment
It is nearly impossible to avoid all allergens throughout the year for a lifetime. Therefore, certain pharmaceutical and natural remedies are available that must be taken into consideration to cure this issue.
Natural remedy
Allergic sinus is one issue that is hard to cure using antibiotics. Either they eventually get better, or the best way to cure this airborne infection is by using natural remedies. Some remedies that will escalate the recovery process are discussed below:
- Water is needed to flush out the virus from your system, and therefore you need to stay hydrated. Drink at least 7-8 ounces of water every two hours to make a difference.
- Add food products like ginger, garlic, and onions for your meals. These antibacterial food products will help you fight the virus.
- Honey is a superfood for many reasons, and honey has antifungal and antibacterial properties and is full of antioxidants, which is all we need to fight the virus.
- Expose your sinus to steam and keep your sinus hydrated to relieve the pressure. You can also take regular hot water showers and breathe the damp air.
- To prevent nasal blockage during nights, you can sleep with a humidifier on.
- Use eucalyptus oil to get rid of mucus and open up the sinus. You can use this oil externally on the temple or chest, or you can inhale it via steam or diffuser.
- Using a neti pot with saline solution can help you get rid of some sinus symptoms. It is one of the most impactful natural remedies for seasonal allergies. A regular use of neti pot can help you ease the allergies. In fact in the long run, it can help in getting rid of the sinus issue from the root.
- If the sinus pain is getting unbearable, use a warm compress around your nose, cheeks, and eyes to ease the facial pain.
If the natural remedies are not doing it for you, you can opt for pharmaceutical remedies, under the guidance of the doctor.
Pharmaceutical remedies
In case the natural remedy is not working, and your body is showing symptoms like:
- Temperature of the body is increasing
- The pain has lasted for over ten days
- Several sinus infections over the last year
- Then, consulting a doctor is the last option they leave you with. In such a case, these are the pharmaceutical remedies that your doctor might prescribe:
- You can use saline nasal spray several times a day to clear and rinse the nasal passages.
- Nasal corticosteroids sprays are used to prevent and treat nasal inflammation
- Allergic medications which are used to lessen the allergy symptoms
- Decongestants are medicines that are available in liquid, tablet, and nasal spray form as prescribed by the doctor. These are used to clear the congestions and clear the nasal blockage.
- OTC painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), or aspirin are used to relieve the pain caused by allergic sinusitis.
You need to make peace with the fact that the sinus takes time to recover and, therefore, you need to take sufficient rest. Give time to your body to fight the infection.
Precaution
There are certain precautions one must take to fight allergic sinusitis:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold weather
- Get flu shots frequently because by preventing flu, you can also prevent sinus infection
- Eat a well-balanced diet and add exercise to your regular chores because good health will guard your immune system
- Quit smoking because cigarette smoke can irritate the sinuses
- Keep your surroundings clean and vacuum and wipe down the surfaces regularly as dust mites can be all over the place.
Sinus can be a serious issue for allergies and a weak immune system. Therefore, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle and practice good hygiene and sanitation around you.
Conclusion
If you are facing allergy sinusitis, you need to be aware of key personal information like triggering agents, family medical history, and if you have asthma. You need to check all the medications' ingredients and composition, including vitamins or other supplements. Allergy sinusitis is not an area of concern if you take all the required precautions and know your triggers.
If you plan to visit a doctor, your doctor might end up asking about your severe symptoms, when did it begin, if anything improved or worsened your symptoms and if you smoke or are around smokers. Therefore, monitor yourself closely to find answers to these questions and be prepared because only then will the doctor give you the right treatment. Try to treat your sinus using a natural remedy and change your diet and lifestyle.
