When you have a stuffy nose, headache, sneezing, cough or pressure in your face it can be difficult to even know what is going on. Seasonal allergies are to blame? A sinus infection? A cold? Symptoms overlap a lot, and many patients self-diagnose wrong and either delay seeking treatment, or fill yourself with pills you don’t need.
Many people have allergies. According to CDC data, 31.7% of U.S. adults are afflicted with some type of allergy, while 25.2% suffer from seasonal allergies. Sinus symptoms also are common, but not all ‘sinus problems’ are necessarily bacterial or requires antibiotic treatment. Sinus infections are due to inflammation of the linings of the sinuses, which results in fluid accumulating in the sinuses and germs growing, says the CDC, but many start when a person develops a viral cold.
When It May Be Allergies
Allergies are a reaction of the immune system to a specific allergen, like pollen, dust, mold, pets, or grass that the immune system is reacting to. Sneezing, itchy eyes, watery eyes, itchy nose, clear runny nose, nasal congestion and postnasal drip are common allergy symptoms. Typically, allergies do not cause fevers.
Time is an important hint. Pollen allergies may be responsible if symptoms occur during specific seasons, after clean out, around pets and when pollen levels are high. Russell Westbrook, a famous American basketball player, can suffer from one for weeks or months, depending on the allergen.
When It May Be a Sinus Infection
A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when the spaces of the sinuses become swollen and congested. These symptoms can include post-nasal drip, pain and pressure in the face, nasal congestion, headache, loss of smell, cough, feeling tired and, occasionally, fever.
Most acute sinusitis symptoms resolve within 7 to 10 days, and are frequently triggered by cold and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology says that symptoms of acute sinusitis can last for less than 4 weeks. Symptoms that are severe, persist for more than 10 days without relief, and start to improve but then get worse suggest that your sinus infection may be bacterial. Outpatient guidance from CDC states that bacterial sinusitis is more likely to develop in people who have severe symptoms longer than 3-4 days, have symptoms for more than 10 days, or have symptoms get worse after a viral illness improves.
Could It Be Something Else?
Yes. Allergy or sinus symptoms can be confused with cold, flu, COVID-19, asthma, migraine, acid reflux, side effects of medication use, nasal polyps or irritation from the environment. If you are also congested, post nasal drip is one cause of a cough, although it can also be caused by asthma, bronchitis or reflux. The pressure in the face can be due to inflammation of the sinuses; headaches might be confused with migraines.
That’s where a primary care doctor can come in handy. Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is not just seeing the picture of what you are presenting with, but tries to see through the pattern of things.
How Your PCP Can Tell the Difference
Your provider will inquire about the onset of symptoms, if they are worsening or improving, if a fever is present, if nasal drainage is present and how it looks, and what remedies you’ve already used. They can look at the nose, throat, ears, lungs, lymph nodes and sinuses.
Not all procedures need to be tested. Your PCP might prescribe allergy medication, nasal sprays, saline nasal rinses, decongestants, a viral test, asthma testing, or antibiotics, (only if bacterial infection is suspected). This is important because most sinus infections (90%-98%) are caused by viruses and therefore won’t be cured by antibiotic use, according to CDC experts.
When to Seek Care
See a health care provider if symptoms haven’t gone away after 10 days, come back often, or appear to get worse after feeling better, or involve fever, severe pain in the face, or problems with sleeping or living your life. Get immediate attention if severe headaches, swelling around the eyes, confusion, stiff neck, trouble breathing, heart or chest pain, and/or a very high fever.
Final Thoughts
An allergy, a sinus infection, a cold and other medical problems can have remarkably similar symptoms. You will avoid unnecessary antibiotics, receive proper care and begin to feel better sooner, if you have the correct diagnosis.
For allergy symptoms, sinus concerns, persistent congestion, or help finding the cause of your symptoms, email appointment@familydiagnosticclinic.com and our team will get you scheduled.
