If you deal with both allergies and frequent sinus problems, you’re not alone. These two conditions are closely connected, and one can easily trigger the other. Knowing how they interact can help you get better treatment and — most importantly — finally find relief.
Conrad Kyle McCutcheon, MD, FACS, is an expert in treating both conditions and provides personalized care to help you breathe easier and feel better. Take a moment as the Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing team explains how these conditions are connected and how you can find relief from both here in our Houston, Texas, office.
When you have allergies and you're exposed to triggers like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold, your body launches an immune response. It releases chemicals like histamines that cause swelling in your nasal passages.
You may experience sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, or itchy eyes. But when that inflammation sticks around, it can block your sinuses and prevent mucus from draining.
Allergic rhinitis — commonly known as hay fever — can increase your risk of developing sinusitis for this very reason. When allergies cause swelling in your nasal passages and sinus linings, your sinus cavities can't drain properly. This trapped mucus becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and increases your chances of developing a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis.
This is a reality for the 30% of the global population who have allergic rhinitis.
Chronic sinusitis means that your sinus infections last for 12 weeks or more, and allergies are one of the most common causes of chronic sinusitis.
Sinusitis caused by allergies tends to last longer and come back more often, especially if you’re constantly exposed to your triggers. You might feel facial pressure, have thick nasal discharge, experience post-nasal drip, or even lose your sense of smell.
These symptoms can affect your energy, sleep, and focus — and over-the-counter medications may not be enough to manage your symptoms.
To break the allergy-sinus cycle, you need to treat both the inflammation (from allergies) and the blockage in your sinus cavities. At Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing, Dr. McCutcheon identifies your allergy triggers and creates a treatment plan that does just that.
He may recommend allergy testing to confirm the source of your allergies, nasal sprays, antihistamines, steroids, antibiotics, or advanced sinus treatments like balloon sinuplasty if necessary.
Immunotherapy may help you better manage your allergies. Dr. McCutcheon offers sublingual allergy drops as well as allergy shots.
Regardless of what combination of treatments you decide on, avoid any known allergy triggers if possible.
Don’t let your allergies keep causing painful sinus infections. The right diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference.
If you’re tired of recurring symptoms, schedule an appointment online today. You can also reach Dr. McCutcheon and the Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing team at 281-822-3777.
