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Allergy vs Sinus Infections Q&A

Allergy vs Sinus Infections Q&A

If you suffer from allergies or sinus infections, it is time to contact the Allergy and Asthma Center. You can find long-lasting relief with the right treatment plan. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA and Conyers, GA.

Sinus Infections Treatment Near Me in Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, and Conyers GA
Sinus Infections Treatment Near Me in Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, and Conyers GA

Table of Contents:

What is the difference between allergies and sinus infections?
Can allergies feel like a sinus infection?
How can I tell if it’s allergies or a sinus infection?
How do you diagnose sinus infections and allergies?

What is the difference between allergies and sinus infections?


It can be tricky to know if you have allergies or a sinus infection (sinusitis), or even both. Symptoms such as congestion, headache, and sneezing can occur in either condition. However, some symptoms are more likely to occur with one or the other.

The difference between allergies and sinusitis boils down to what’s causing your symptoms. Allergies are caused by a negative response to a substance, while sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal cavity.

An allergy is a misdirected immune response. Your immune system reacts to substances like pollen or dust as if they’re harmful invaders. Your immune system responds by releasing a chemical called histamine, which can cause symptoms such as headache, sneezing, and congestion.

On the other hand, a sinus infection occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. Viruses most often cause a sinus infection (Sinusitis). When the nasal cavity inflames, mucus builds up and gets stuck, further compounding the problem.

Allergies and sinus infections may seem similar on the surface. However, the causes are different, and each has its own distinct symptoms.

Can allergies feel like a sinus infection?


Allergies and sinus infections are very different conditions, but they share some common symptoms. Sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose are all possible symptoms of allergies and sinus infections. The two conditions can sometimes be hard to tell apart, but there are a few differences to consider.

Seasonal allergies often last for weeks or months, while a sinus infection lasts approximately ten days. Allergies often cause itchy or watery eyes along with a stuffy nose, while sinus infections usually don’t. With allergies, you’ll have clear mucus from your nose; with a sinus infection, the mucus will be thicker and cloudy white, or yellow.

How can I tell if it’s allergies or a sinus infection?


It can be hard to tell if a stuffy or runny nose is due to allergies or a sinus infection (sinusitis). That’s because the symptoms of these problems overlap.

Symptoms common to both include:

– Nasal congestion and stuffiness
– Sneezing
– Runny nose
– Sore throat from postnasal drip
– Headache
– Other symptoms are more specific to the different conditions. These include

Allergies: itching, red eyes, hives, eczema, wheezing, and asthma.

Sinus infections: facial pain or pressure (particularly around the eyes), yellowish-green mucus discharge (from the nose or down the back of the throat), cough (usually worse at night), feeling ill with a fever.

How do you diagnose sinus infections and allergies?


For sinus infections, a combination of symptoms and x-rays or CT scans can be used to confirm a diagnosis. To verify whether an individual is suffering from allergies, allergy testing is recommended. Allergy testing includes performing skin or blood tests to determine what the person is reacting to that is causing the symptoms.

Are you suffering from allergies or sinus issues? The services provided at the Allergy and Asthma Center in GA can help. With help from specialists, anyone suffering from symptoms related to allergies or a sinus condition can get help. Please reach out and connect with the Allergy and Asthma Center for more information. We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, Conyers GA, Suwanee GA, Duluth GA, Grayson GA, Decatur GA, Brookhaven GA, Lithonia GA and Covington GA.

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Lawrenceville, GA

  • 565 Old Norcross Rd. Lawrenceville, GA, 30046
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Atlanta, GA

Conyers, GA

  • 1755 Parker Rd, Suite A120 Conyers, GA, 30094
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