Asked by: Ghofran Wegrzy
medical health cold and flu

How do I know if it's allergies or sinus infection?

34
Allergies can produce many of the samecold-likesymptoms as a sinus infection, includingsinuspressure, a runny nose and congestion. Itchinessis rarely asymptom of a sinus infection. Another way totell thedifference is if you have very thick yellow orgreen nasaldischarge.


Also know, how do I know if it's allergies or a cold?

Differences

  1. Itchy and watery eyes are often telltale signs that thesymptomsare due to an allergy.
  2. A fever can occur with a severe cold, especially inchildren,but is not an allergy symptom.
  3. A sore throat can occur with allergies but is more common withacold.

Beside above, can you have a sinus infection and not know it? Most patients have several signs and symptomsatthe same time. Others may have some symptoms thatareintermittent; most do not have all symptoms at once.Thesigns and symptoms of a sinus infection or sinusitisincludethe following: Pressure or pain due to mucus pressingonsinus tissue or inflammation ofsinuses.

Then, what is the first sign of sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis usually starts withcoldlikesymptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose andfacialpain.

Can allergies make you feel sick and tired?

Yes, allergies can make you feel tired.Mostpeople with a stuffy nose and head caused by allergieswillhave some trouble sleeping. But allergic reactionscan alsorelease chemicals that cause you to feeltired. Alack of sleep and constant nasal congestion can giveyou ahazy, tired feeling.

Related Question Answers

Liaqat Zhigulin

Professional

What are the most common allergy symptoms?

Symptoms
  • Sneezing.
  • Itching of the nose, eyes or roof of the mouth.
  • Runny, stuffy nose.
  • Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)

Nely Cataloo

Professional

Can allergies make you feel sick and achy?

Allergies can cause symptoms that are verysimilarto a cold or flu, such as a runny nose, sore throat,orsneezing. However, allergies do not cause a fever.Inthis article, we look at the relationship betweenallergies,colds, and flu. We also look at ways to treat thesymptoms of anallergy.

Oiher Torhoff

Professional

How do you know if a sore throat is from allergies?

Allergy symptoms generally includecongestion,sneezing, itchy eyes, and coughing. If you have asorethroat with fever and body aches, it's likely the resultof aviral infection, like a cold or flu. Scratchiness is anotherway todetermine if you have an allergy-inducedsorethroat.

Salesa Fiks

Explainer

What Allergy do I have?

Main allergy symptoms
Common symptoms of an allergic reactioninclude:sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose(allergicrhinitis) itchy, red, watering eyes(conjunctivitis) wheezing,chest tightness, shortness of breath andacough.

Bertina Baio

Explainer

How long are allergies supposed to last?

Allergies cause symptoms that happen all atonce.Check how long the symptoms last: Coldsymptomsgenerally last 7 to 10 days, whereas allergysymptomscontinue with exposure to the allergen (symptomtrigger).Allergy symptoms may get better or go awaysoon afterelimination of allergen exposure.

Tilo Jurgens

Explainer

Do you cough with allergies?

Asthma and allergy coughs are typically causedbyswelling or irritation of the airways. Allergies likehayfever can cause a chronic dry cough. Ifyou'resensitive to dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, or othercommonallergens, then your allergy symptoms mayinclude acough.

Florinda Baldassarre

Pundit

What is the best allergy medicine?

Zyrtec and Claritin are safe for most people withminorallergies, but side effects can include headachesanddizziness. Claritin and Zyrtec are effective and safe formostpeople with minor allergies.

Courage Niesz

Pundit

What foods should you avoid if you have sinus problems?

Here is a list of 7 common foods present in everypantrywhich cause congestion:
  • Refined Sugars. Sugars, when eaten in small amounts,areharmless but when the intake is high, it not only makes you fatbutalso has inflammation enhancing properties.
  • Spicy Foods.
  • Milk.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Wine & Other Alcohols.
  • Red Meat.
  • Pizza.

Vince Pflugbeil

Pundit

How do doctors drain sinuses?

Through small openings, four pair ofsinusesconnect to your nasal cavity. Mucus produced by thesinusesdrains through openings into your nose and down theback of yourthroat. As the mucus drains, the nose is kept moist andfree ofdust, bacteria and other germs.

Albita Serradilla

Pundit

What is the drug of choice for sinusitis?

Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin for 2 weeks, havebeenthe recommended first-line treatment of uncomplicatedacutesinusitis. The antibiotic of choice must coverS.pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis.

Jehan Tascher

Pundit

How do doctors test for sinus infection?

Typically, sinus infections arediagnosedsolely on a patient's symptoms and a medicalexamination. Yourdoctor will note where you feel pain ortenderness as thiscan point to which of the sinuses isinvolved. Yourdoctor will also look for purulent drainage inthe nose andthroat.

Venancio Denche

Teacher

What happens if a sinus infection is not treated?

This can lead to life-threatening conditionslikemeningitis or brain abscess, Dr. Sindwani says.“Beforeantibiotics, people would die from sinusitis,”he says. It'simportant to monitor your symptoms if yoususpect a sinusinfection. If the condition lingers orworsens, callyour doctor.

Alby Ruiz De Cuesta

Teacher

When should I go to the doctor for a sinus infection?

When to see your doctor forsinusinfection
Make an appointment with your doctor if youhavea fever, nasal discharge, congestion, or facial painthatlasts longer than ten days or keeps coming back. A fever is notatypical symptom of either chronic or acute sinusitis, but itispossible.

Mozella Eeckhout

Teacher

Do I need antibiotics for a sinus infection?

Most sinus infections don'trequireantibiotics
The need for an updated review was likelyspurredby the disconcerting fact that while the vast majority ofacutesinus infections will improve or even clear on theirownwithout antibiotics within one to two weeks, most endupbeing treated with antibiotics.

Aouatif Heinisch

Teacher

What gets rid of sinus pressure?

Home Treatments
  1. Use a humidifier or vaporizer.
  2. Take long showers or breathe in steam from a pot of warm(butnot too hot) water.
  3. Drink lots of fluids.
  4. Use a nasal saline spray.
  5. Try a Neti pot, nasal irrigator, or bulb syringe.
  6. Place a warm, wet towel on your face.
  7. Prop yourself up.
  8. Avoid chlorinated pools.

Giuseppa Calisto

Reviewer

How do you drain sinuses?

Push your tongue against the top of your mouth andplacea finger between your eyebrows and apply pressure. Hold itforabout 20 seconds and your sinuses will begintodrain. When you push your tongue against the roof ofyourmouth, don't aim for a specific point but rather push itflatagainst the top.

Argeme Schottelndreier

Reviewer

What does sinusitis feel like?

Symptoms of sinusitis include: pain, swellingandtenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead. ablockednose. a reduced sense of smell.

Detelina Pusch

Reviewer

Can sinus infection mess with your eyes?

This can result in blurry vision, shorttimeperiods of patchy sight, and tunnel vision. Sinuspressure– severe pressure in the head canalso impacteyesight. This may be a result of pain perception butcanalso arise from sinus pressure impactingcirculation to theblood vessels of the eyes.

Reghina Arisqueta

Reviewer

Is mucinex good for sinus infection?

Nasal irrigation and decongestants can help inthetreatment of chronic sinusitis by keeping mucuslooseand nasal passages clear. The mucus-thinning agentguaifenesin(Mucinex) is another option. (Be sure to drink afull glassof water when you take it.)

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

9

2nd April, 2020

90

79% of readers found this page helpful.

4.7/5

Click a star to add your vote

Similar Asks
Trending