Testing For Allergies And Sinusitis Are Different

Sometimes people complain about a stuffy nose. Most people usually respond to this medical issue as just allergies. However, do you really understand what allergies and sinusitis are all about? These are really two different conditions requiring different treatments. So, the best thing to do is to visit your ENT physician and find out by testing what condition you are suffering from. Testing for allergies and sinusitis and associated treatments are different.

Learning About Sinusitis 

A sinus infection generally begins because of a cold or allergies. Sometimes these symptoms are caused by bacteria too. If you are also suffering from a stuffy nose, experiencing thick and colored mucus and having painful inflammation around your eyes and cheeks, it could be that you're having a sinusitis problem. Other sinusitis symptoms include a sore throat and a cough, light fever and fatigue, and possibly bad breath in some cases. Decongestants and antihistamines may help. Your physician might perform sinus secretion aspiration wherein pus is drawn from your sinuses. A slender telescope is inserted into your nostril, and your physician then uses suction to obtain a sample.

The specimen is sent off to a microbiology lab where a specialist performs a microscopic analysis and culture. That analysis serves to find out what types of bacteria are responsible for your sinus infections. Thereafter, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to treat your sinus infection. If your sinusitis becomes a chronic condition, you might have to undergo a procedure called Balloon Sinusplasty, which is a minimally-invasive procedure.

Are You Having Allergy Problems?

The main symptoms of sneezing, wheezing and runny nose, in addition to watery and itchy eyes, occur when you have contact with allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander. As long as you remain exposed to the allergens, they will trigger your responsive symptoms. These symptoms can be relieved by treatment with decongestants, corticosteroids, and antihistamines. Exact treatment through allergy testing and allergy drops provide more lasting solutions when your condition does not improve.

Cutting-Edge Allergy Testing

One of the newer cutting-edge technologies for allergy testing is done with the use of a 17-inch monitor. The technology uses a 30-degree endoscope that provides a pain-free and quite detailed view of your nose and sinus images. Your doctor easily takes nasal cultures that are tested for fungi and bacteria and ultimately arrives at the diagnosis of a sinus infection. The entire exam is recorded to ensure that a visual record of your progress and allergy treatments will be available.