Fall brings with it cool breezes, colorful leaves and maybe even a little spiced cider. Sounds good…unless you’re the victim of pollen allergies. Also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, these allergies affect about 30 million Americans and typically spike this time of year. The tricky part is, fall pollen allergies are sometimes confused with sinus infections, and a misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment. So how can you tell the difference between allergies or a sinus infection?
Allergies or Sinus Infection?
Generally, you can think of allergies as an ailment that affect your neck and up.
Symptoms can include things like:
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- A runny nose or postnasal drip
- Itchy or watery eyes
- A scratchy or sore throat
Sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, have a slightly different symptom set. Watch out for:
- A fever (this is a major distinction from allergies)
- Nasal congestion
- Yellow or green nasal discharge
- A cough
- A headache
If you believe you might have fall pollen allergies, check with your doctor to put together a plan for combatting them. Symptoms and treatment can differ for every person, depending on your own unique body chemistry, your lifestyle and where you live.
Contrary to popular belief, the best way to avoid allergies isn’t to avoid the outdoors. That’s a myth. But you can try a few basic techniques to minimize your exposure to pollen, by washing your hands and face after you spend time outside, and keeping an air conditioner (with a clean air filter) running to help avoid mold. Mold can worsen allergic rhinitis symptoms.
With a doctor’s advice, you can also try basic medicines like antihistamines, and a hypertonic nasal saline rinse can help if used after exposure to allergens. But each case is unique so, when allergies have you down, give our office a call to see what might be right for you. With the right allergy and sinus plan, you can get back to enjoying fall, pollen and all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall pollen allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, typically cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, a runny nose or postnasal drip, itchy or watery eyes, and a scratchy or sore throat. These symptoms primarily affect the neck and upper parts of the face.
While both fall allergies and sinus infections cause nasal congestion, sinus infections usually come with a fever, yellow or green nasal discharge, cough, and headache, which are not typical for allergies. Fever is a major symptom that helps differentiate sinus infections from allergies.
Contrary to popular belief, avoiding the outdoors is not necessarily the best way to prevent allergies. You can minimize exposure to pollen by washing your hands and face after being outside and running an air conditioner with a clean filter to reduce mold, which can worsen allergic symptoms.
Doctors may recommend antihistamines to control allergy symptoms and hypertonic nasal saline rinses after allergen exposure to clear nasal passages. Treatment plans can vary based on individual body chemistry, lifestyle, and environment, so consulting a healthcare provider is important.
Because symptoms and effective treatments vary from person to person, a doctor can help develop a personalized plan tailored to your body's response and living environment. Proper diagnosis also ensures you receive effective treatment and avoid confusion with sinus infections.
Mold can exacerbate allergic rhinitis symptoms during the fall season. Running an air conditioner with a clean air filter helps reduce mold exposure indoors, which can in turn help lessen the severity of allergy symptoms.