Sinus Allergies: A Painful Reminder of the Season

For most Americans, the spring brings warm breezes, the summer is filled with outdoor fun, and the fall is the perfect time for a long walk. For millions of other Americans, however, these seasons come with a feeling of dread. Sinus allergies— also known as hay fever and allergic rhinitis—mean months of congestion, headache, and watery eyes for those cursed with them. As the most common reason for chronic nose and sinus problems, sinus allergies may begin in early childhood and last the rest of a person’s life.

Sinus allergies, or allergic rhinitis, is defined as irritation and swelling of the nasal passages. The symptoms of sinus allergies may be caused by either seasonal or year-round allergens. The symptoms of sinus allergies include the following:

There are some risk factors that cause people to be more prone to sinus allergies. These risk factors include having a parent with sinus allergies, a mother who smoked during pregnancy, and living in an urban setting. Some studies have suggested that infants and children who are raised around pets, particularly dogs, have a decreased risk for sinus allergies.

While they are not necessarily life-threatening, sinus allergies are a serious health issue resulting in millions of missed work days, school absenteeism, and lowered productivity. In addition to time and productivity lost, sinus allergies are very costly because of money spent on doctor visits and medication. Further costs are incurred when sinus allergies cause people to be more prone to sinus infections, colds, the flu, and other illnesses.

The treatment of sinus allergies focuses on easing the symptoms, as there is no known cure for these allergic reactions. Children with sinus allergies have the best chance of outgrowing their allergies as their immune systems become more mature. In most cases, unfortunately, sinus allergies will persist throughout adulthood.