It’s no secret that allergies can cause problems. They can impact your sleep, make it difficult to concentrate, and reduce your productivity at work or school. Allergies also have a well-documented link to asthma symptoms and other respiratory issues.
Additionally, allergies tend to increase the risk of developing sinusitis. But what does that mean for you? And why are your allergies causing sinusitis? Read on to find out! Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, which are air-filled spaces in your skull above and behind your nostrils and eyes.
The common causes of sinusitis include hay fever, seasonal allergies, and a deviated septum. If you have these conditions, you are likely to develop nasal congestion.
How Do Allergies Cause Sinusitis?
Allergies are a hyper-reaction of the immune system, which can take a long time to calm down. We often see sinusitis symptoms in seasonal allergy sufferers because their immune system reacts to pollens in the air, trees, grass, and weed.
This causes the build-up of mucus inside the sinuses, trapping the allergens. This excess mucus can cause a feeling of fullness in the face and head and a reduced ability to breathe through the nose.
Mucus and Breathing Problems
In extreme cases, this mucus build-up can even cause the nasal passages to swell shut and cause you to go into anaphylactic shock, which is a medical emergency. The best way to treat this is by taking antihistamine tablets, which many allergy sufferers carry in case of an extreme reaction.
To prevent this type of breathing problem, you should always try to keep your nasal passages clear of excess mucus by using saline sprays, decongestants, and plenty of rest.
Irritation and Inflammation
As if mucus buildup in the sinuses weren’t bad enough, a reaction to the trapped allergens inside the mucus can cause irritation of the skin and tissues inside the sinuses, leading to even more pain and discomfort.
This can also cause the sinus tissues to swell, leading to reduced airflow. As the inflammation worsens and spreads, it can even lead to the development of pus-filled bubbles inside the sinuses, known as a sinus infection.
What Are the Symptoms of Allergies Causing Sinusitis?
If you notice the following symptoms you have developed, you have sinusitis.
- A constant feeling of fullness in your face, head, and nose. The excessive mucus buildup causes fullness.
- Headaches, earaches, and feeling tired. Sinusitis can often cause headaches, earaches, and general fatigue or tiredness caused by inflammation in the surrounding tissue and brain.
- Yellow or green mucus. If your mucus turns green or yellow, it could be a sign that it’s infected, which is a symptom of allergies causing sinusitis.
- Bad breath. This is caused by a bacterial infection in the sinuses, leading to bad breath, a cough, and an increased risk of contracting a lung infection.
Conclusion
It can be easy to overlook allergies as a cause of your sinusitis symptoms, especially alongside the symptoms of a full-blown sinus infection. For most people, allergies are a seasonal problem that disappears when the pollen count drops, making you think you are okay.
It’s essential to take care of yourself and remember that your allergies can cause sinusitis and impact your health. You should ensure that you seek medication before sinusitis causes severe problems like lung infection.
