Allergies can cause unwanted problems, such as sinus issues. This often comes with a number of symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, headaches, sinus pressure, and postnasal drip. and a runny nose. You may wonder, what allergies cause sinus problems? Below you will find helpful information on allergies that can impact your sinuses and effective treatment options.
Allergies and Your Sinuses
Allergies can impact your sinuses in a number of ways. Your sinuses are the cavities found in your head. They are located right behind your eyes and nose. They help filter unwanted particles out of the air you breathe. They are made of sensitive and soft tissues that are lined with mucus membranes. The mucus membrane keeps the soft tissue moist.
Allergies cause your sinuses to become inflamed. People with allergies react to allergens by producing histamine. Histamine is a chemical your body produces which can inflame your sinuses and even cause swelling on the inside nasal layer. This is why it’s important to effectively manage your allergies with sinus allergy treatments in Gig Harbor.
What Allergies Cause Sinus Problems?
There are a number of allergies that cause sinus problems. Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and dirt allergies can all cause serious issues with your sinuses. However, a common yet overlooked allergy that can cause sinus issues are food allergies. In fact, roughly 32 million Americans are impacted by food allergies. Common food allergies include wheat, milk, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and peanuts.
People who have these food allergies can experience sinus issues as their body can mistake the proteins found in the food as dangerous substances. When this happens, the body will defend itself by creating antibodies to fight off the proteins from the food. This results in the production of histamine which then leads to issues with your sinuses. Inflammation, swelling, and congestion are common symptoms that occur in someone who has food allergies.
Common Food Allergy Symptoms
Common allergies include sneezing, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, headaches, post nasal drip and a runny nose. Inflamed and swollen sinus cavities can block your ability to breathe. It can also make it more difficult for the mucus to drain from your nostrils. This results in trapped mucus in your sinuses which can place pressure on the surrounding areas of your face. These can lead to a number of unwanted symptoms, including pain in your forehead, inner ear, cheeks, teeth, and behind your eyes.
Allergy Testing and Next Steps
If you think you have food allergies it’s important to get tested. Finding out which foods are the culprit can be done through a blood test or skin-prick test. After your diagnosis, it’s important to stop consuming the foods you are allergic to. This can be a difficult adjustment period, but it can dramatically improve your symptoms. It’s helpful to read food labels and cook at home as you begin navigating the elimination process.
Avoiding consuming foods that you are allergic to can improve your health. However, sometimes accidents happen and foods you are allergic to can be hidden in some foods. In the case that you do consume something you are allergic to, it’s important to have an effective treatment that can help address your issues.
Sinus Allergy Treatment
If you need sinus allergy treatment, the team at Harbor Health and Apothecary are skilled in addressing the issue. Their experts can prepare targeted treatments to improve your therapeutic outcomes and reduce the side effects of your food allergies. The Tacoma compounding pharmacy creates custom compound medications to meet your unique needs. Contact the team at Harbor Health and Apothecary today to get your allergies under control!