Allergies and sinusitis are conditions that are closely related to each other. In some people, allergic reactions not only cause complaints of itching on the skin, but also coughs and runny noses. This complaint can be more severe in people who also have a history of sinusitis.
Allergic reactions occur when the body's immune system overreacts to certain objects or substances that are considered dangerous, when in fact they are not.
When experiencing an allergic reaction, the body will experience various symptoms, such as itching, coughing, and frequent sneezing. Allergies can also cause colds and increase the risk of sinusitis.
From Allergies to Sinusitis
The sinuses are cavities within the skull and are covered by muscle tissue, skin, and fat on the face. The sinus cavities are located behind the forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and between the eyes.
When an allergic reaction occurs, the nasal passages and the walls of the sinus cavities will swell and produce more mucus. If this mucus cannot be expelled, the sinus cavities will become blocked due to mucus that has accumulated and trapped in it.
This can make the sinus cavities a suitable place for many microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, to multiply and cause sinusitis.
When experiencing sinusitis, a person may feel the following symptoms:
- Pain and pressure in the face, especially around the nose, eyes, and forehead
- Tooth or ear pain
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Stuffy nose or runny nose
- Cough
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
How to Treat Sinusitis Due to Allergies
The following are various ways that can be done to prevent and treat sinusitis due to allergies:
1. Avoid allergy triggers
Allergies can not be cured, but the symptoms can be prevented from appearing often. The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to identify and avoid allergenic factors, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, or cigarette smoke.
Allergies can also be caused by other things, such as stress, cold temperatures, and certain foods, such as milk, fish, eggs, and nuts.
2. Inhaling hot steam
To overcome the symptoms of a stuffy nose or runny nose due to allergies, you can place a bowl or basin of warm water under your head, then cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam from the warm water.
This simple method can thin the mucus in the nose so that it is easier to expel. Thus, the nasal cavity and sinuses are cleaner and feel relieved.
3. Clean the nose with a salt water solution
Mix 2–3 teaspoons of salt with 1 teaspoon baking soda. Next, pour the mixture into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water. After it cools, pour the salt water solution and baking soda into a neti pot, then rinse your nose.
This method is proven to be cheap and safe to relieve sinusitis symptoms. In addition, rinsing the nose with a salt water solution can also thin mucus and clean the sinus and nasal cavities of dust, germs, and viruses.
4. Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
Smoking habits and exposure to secondhand smoke can exacerbate symptoms of allergies and sinusitis, such as watery eyes and an itchy or stuffy nose.
5. Taking drugs
Symptoms of a runny nose, cough, and an itchy or runny nose due to allergies sometimes need to be treated with medications, such as antihistamines or decongestants. Meanwhile, to treat sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection, you need antibiotics according to a doctor's prescription.
If sinusitis due to allergies can not be treated with medication or other steps, surgery may be an option. One of the surgical methods that can be done to treat sinusitis is endoscopic surgery.
This method is generally also used if the sinus infection has spread to the eyes, face, or brain, and if it has caused other problems, such as nasal polyps.
If not treated promptly, allergies can trigger long-term or chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis is called chronic if it has lasted for more than 8 weeks.
Therefore, if you suffer from allergies that cause sinusitis, don't hesitate to go to the doctor to get the right treatment.
