September is the month for back-to-school activities and the beginning of autumn-colored leaves. As you enjoy the changing seasons and settle into fall, you may notice a flare-up of sinus symptoms and wonder: Is this a sinus infection (also called sinusitis) or an allergic reaction?
How Fall Can Impact Sinus Symptoms
Some common sinus symptoms experienced in the fall are congestion, a runny nose, an itchy nose, sneezing and postnasal drip. Multiple factors can contribute to sinus symptoms during this season. Here are some of the main ones.
Ragweed Pollen
Allergy season makes its last stand in the fall with a little wildflower called ragweed. It’s native to North America, particularly in the eastern and midwestern United States. It strongly resembles goldenrod, with spiky green or yellow flowers and deep green leaves with fern-like grooves on tall (up to 5 feet), hairy stems.
It blooms in late summer and releases pollen until mid-fall. It is this pollen that causes those annoying allergy symptoms.
The Beginning of Flu Season
When the weather starts to cool, common respiratory viruses such as the flu, COVID and the common cold begin circulating again, especially as kids return to school and are exposed to more germs. Sinusitis is often caused by a respiratory virus or upper respiratory infection, so getting sick at this time puts you more at risk for developing sinusitis.
Dry Air
The air is cooling down. While this makes for pleasant, brisk mornings, it also dries the air out, as colder air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air. Breathing in dry air like this can dehydrate the skin inside your nose and the mucus that lines it. As a result, the tissues in the nasal passages become swollen and inflamed and are more easily irritated if they encounter a foreign object, like dust, germs or an allergen.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Sinus Infection and Allergies
Both a sinus infection and an allergic reaction will have symptoms in common, and they’ll both occur predominantly in the nose. But there are a few key differences that can help you determine which condition is plaguing you:
- Itchiness. Itchy symptoms, such as a tickle in the nose or itchy eyes, are a sign of allergies, but not sinusitis. This is due to the release of histamine, an immune-system-controlled chemical that causes inflammation and creates that itchy, tickly, tingly sensation.
- You’re sick with a virus. As mentioned above, sinusitis is most often brought on by a cold or other respiratory infection. If you were struggling with a virus in the days or weeks leading up to your worst sinus symptoms, it’s probably a sinus infection that developed from the virus.
- Mucus (or snot). If you’re having an allergic reaction, the mucus discharge from your nose will likely be clear and watery. Sinusitis causes mucus to be thick and yellow or green.
- Sinus pressure. Pressure behind the eyes, nose and forehead can be very uncomfortable. It may lead to discomfort at the bridge of your nose, eye pain or a sinus headache. This kind of pressure doesn’t occur with allergies and points to sinusitis being the main issue.
How to Find Relief from Sinus Symptoms in the Fall
Knowing whether it’s allergies or sinusitis that’s behind your irritating sinus symptoms is key to knowing how to find relief, as these conditions require different treatment methods.
If you believe your symptoms are from allergies, take a daily antihistamine and avoid going outside on high-pollen days to limit your exposure to the allergen. The local weather forecast always includes a pollen count. If over-the-counter antihistamines aren’t bringing the relief you need or symptoms are seriously impeding your daily life, consider consulting with an allergist about other prevention, management and treatment strategies.
If sinusitis is the issue, you can use over-the-counter decongestants and mild pain relievers to alleviate the worst of the discomfort, and sinusitis usually clears up on its own within a few days. If symptoms persist longer than that, keep coming back or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever, schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist or other health care provider. We can prescribe antibiotics or assess your sinuses for underlying structural issues that might contribute to the onset of sinusitis.
If you have any other questions about sinus symptoms at this time of year, give us a call at Blue Ridge ENT. You can also call us to schedule an appointment to discuss long-term allergy plans or sinus treatments.