Index
When we talk about respiratory allergies, rhinitis and sinusitis are quickly remembered. This does not happen by chance. It is estimated that 30% of adults in Brazil suffer from these conditions, which is a very high number. However, it is important to know that rhinitis and sinusitis are not the same thing. But then what is the difference between these two types of allergies? To answer this, we must first understand what they are, what are their causes, w symptoms. In this way, you learn to differentiate the two things and know exactly which treatments are needed for each case. Keep reading to understand more about it!
What is Rhinitis?
First of all, it is important that you know what rhinitis is, what are its causes, symptoms and types of treatment. Rhinitis is one of the most well-known types of respiratory allergy and is characterized mainly by inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which causes a person to have sneezing attacks , a stuffy nose, among several other symptoms that we will still address here.
Causes of Rhinitis
Rhinitis can be the result or result of a viral infection , but when we talk about allergic, it is usually triggered by factors that are in the environment in which a person lives, such as animal hair, pollen, excess dust and even some types of herbs.
This type of rhinitis can manifest itself only in certain periods, such as in the spring due to the excess of pollen, or also throughout the year, mainly in people who live in large cities and who have frequent contact with pollution.
Rhinitis Symptoms
Some of the main symptoms presented by allergic rhinitis are:
- Coryza
- Constant sneeze attacks
- Stuffy nose
- Running nose
- Swollen and red eyes
- Itchy nose
These symptoms, although not serious enough to trigger even bigger problems, can harm and decrease a person’s quality of life. It is very common, especially in children and adolescents, that it is difficult to sleep because of the discomfort in the nose and the constant sneezing. This ends up directly affecting your income on a daily basis and even in your studies or work. Therefore, treating allergic rhinitis is always important.
Rhinitis Treatments
As with most types of allergies, the greatest weapon against rhinitis is prevention. For this, it is necessary to know the agent that causes the allergy and avoid contact with it as much as possible. In this way, the crises tend to decrease and the person who has allergic rhinitis is able to live better.
To relieve symptoms, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids. Antiallergic vaccines may also work in some cases. However, it is necessary to do a series of tests so that your doctor is sure that this type of treatment really has positive effects.
What is Sinusitis?
In order to better understand the difference between these two types of allergy, let’s also talk about what sinusitis is, as well as its main causes, symptoms and treatments. Sinusitis is a type of allergy characterized by an inflammation in the sinuses , a region located under the eyes and around the nose.
Sinusitis can cause several symptoms such as a stuffy nose and also headaches and in different regions of the face, which can be quite uncomfortable and also harmful to the quality of life of the person who has this condition.
Causes of Sinusitis
As with other types of allergies, allergic sinusitis comes from your body’s hypersensitivity to a particular external agent. Some of the main causes of sinusitis are chemicals, pollen from flowers and even certain types of perfumes. It is also worth mentioning that sinusitis, as well as rhinitis, can affect people of any age .
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Some of the main symptoms of sinusitis are:
- Sensation of pressure in the face region
- Smell reduction and, in some cases, even loss of smell
- Headaches located in the center of the forehead
- Stuffy nose
- Earache
- Sickness
- Fatigue
There are also cases where a person has both rhinitis and sinusitis, which can unite the symptoms of these two types of allergy and be really bothersome. Especially in these cases, seeking treatment as soon as possible is of utmost importance.
Sinusitis Treatments
As with rhinitis, it is important that the agent that causes allergic sinusitis is located and that contact with it is avoided as much as possible. In order for symptoms to be relieved, a doctor may also prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids.
A doctor may also recommend treatment with medications that can stop sinusitis. In more severe cases and where the treatment does not have the desired effects, a doctor may resort to a surgical procedure.
After all, what is the difference between Rhinitis and Sinusitis?
Now that you know more about rhinitis and what sinusitis is, it becomes much easier to understand the main differences between these two types of respiratory allergy. While one has to do with inflammation of the nasal mucosa, the other has to do with an inflammation that occurs in the region around the nose.
And although some symptoms are similar, such as a stuffy nose, they are two different types of allergies and need to be addressed in such a way so that you can treat yourself correctly, since the agents that cause these allergies are also different.
Understanding the differences between rhinitis and sinusitis is always important so that we also understand how to treat these two different types of allergies . It is very important to note that having rhinitis does not mean that you cannot have sinusitis or vice versa. However, the treatment of each of these allergies is done differently, so even if you suffer from both conditions, you still need to know better about each one. Taking better care of yourself is ensuring a better life for you and with less health problems!
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
