We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Difference Between Allergies and Sinus Infection?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,461
Share

The main difference between allergies and sinus infection is that allergies are an inflammatory response to allergens (like pollen), and sinus infections result when there is a build up of bacteria or fungi in the sinus passages. Though chronic allergies may result in secondary sinus infections, these two conditions are wholly separate and respond to different treatments. On the other hand, sometimes treating allergies may prevent sinus infections from occurring. Sinusitis may occur in other instances, such as after colds or other viruses, so this won’t always work. Each condition additionally has some unique symptoms that may make it easier to tell the two apart.

The principal symptoms of nasal allergies are clear or white mucus that runs from the nose, itchy nose, and watery eyes. Most people tend to recover from these symptoms if they get away from the offending allergen. If the allergen, like a cat or houseplants, remains nearby, people can develop chronic allergies. They may feel like they always have serious congestion.

What shouldn’t be felt is sensation of pain or pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. Also unusual would be any kind of fever. Nasal discharge should be white or milky, and discharge that is green, grey or dark yellow, and gets bloody is not standard. These symptoms indicate sinus infection: pressure, pain, thicker colored mucus, and possibly fever. Both conditions can last a long time, but sinus infections last far longer than transient allergies.

Understanding the differences between allergies and sinus infection leads to questions about how each are treated. For brief allergies, no treatment may be necessary. Alternately, some people with seasonal allergies take an occasional antihistamine, as needed, if they have considerable pollen exposure. Chronic allergies are generally better treated on a daily basis with medicines that can help reduce inflammatory response. These could include nasal spray or oral medications.

Treating chronic allergies may be advised because some people have allergies and sinus infection concurrently, or they’re prone to infection when allergic response isn’t under control. As mucus is allowed to sit or get stuck in the sinuses it can become a breeding ground for germs like strep or for certain fungi. Some sinus infections are avoided by reducing inflammation so that the ability to breed germs in the sinuses is reduced.

When a sinus infection is not avoided, it will require treatment. Most people have common bacterial infections and take antibiotics for a few weeks. Some people get fungal infections instead. These are harder to identify, but once diagnosed, they require antifungal medication. Another of the differences between allergies and sinus infection is that any type of antihistamine may have little to no effect on sinusitis, and certainly won’t cure the illness. In the reverse, antibiotics or antifungal medicines don’t tame chronic allergies.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Rotergirl — On Mar 11, 2014

Allergies are generally more seasonal, also, while a sinus infection can happen any time. Sinus pain and pressure doesn't necessarily mean the person is working a sinus infection, but it does mean the sinuses are inflamed, which can happen for a variety of reasons.

A low-grade sinus infection rarely presents many symptoms and usually goes mostly unnoticed until it flares up as a for-real sinus infection, or worse, bronchitis.

Fever and blood in the sputum should mean the person goes to the doctor for a check-up, and antibiotics, if necessary.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-difference-between-allergies-and-sinus-infection.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.