When we talk about respiratory allergies, rhinitis and sinusitis quickly come to mind. This is not by chance. It is estimated that 30% of adults in Brazil suffer from these conditions, which is quite a high number. However, it’s important to know that rhinitis and sinusitis are not the same thing. So, what is the difference between these two types of allergies? To answer that, we first need to understand what they are, their causes, and symptoms. That way, you’ll learn to differentiate the two and know exactly which treatments are necessary for each case. Keep reading to learn more about the topic!
What is Rhinitis?
First of all, it’s important for you to know what rhinitis is, its causes, symptoms, and types of treatment. Rhinitis is one of the most well-known types of allergy affecting the respiratory tract and is mainly characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which causes a person to have sneezing fits, nasal congestion, among various other symptoms that we will discuss here.
Causes of Rhinitis
Rhinitis can be the result or consequence of a viral infection, but when we’re talking about allergic rhinitis, it is usually triggered by factors present in a person’s environment, such as animal hair, pollen, excessive dust, and even some types of herbs.
This type of rhinitis may appear only during certain periods, such as spring due to excessive pollen, or all year round, especially in people who live in large cities and are frequently exposed to pollution.
Symptoms of Rhinitis
Some of the main symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
- Runny nose
- Constant sneezing fits
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Swollen and red eyes
- Itching in the nose
These symptoms, even though they are not severe enough to lead to more serious problems, can impair and reduce a person’s quality of life. It’s very common, especially in children and teenagers, to have difficulty sleeping due to nasal discomfort and constant sneezing. This directly affects their performance day-to-day and even in their studies or at work. That’s why it’s always important to treat allergic rhinitis.
Treatments for Rhinitis
Just like with most types of allergies, the biggest weapon against rhinitis is prevention. For that, it is necessary to identify the allergen causing the reaction and avoid contact with it as much as possible. This way, the episodes tend to decrease and people with allergic rhinitis can live better.
To relieve symptoms, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids. Allergy shots can also work in some cases. However, you need to undergo a series of tests so your doctor can be sure that this type of treatment will really have positive effects.
What is Sinusitis?
For you to better understand the difference between these two types of allergies, let’s also talk about what sinusitis is, along with its main causes, symptoms, and treatments. Sinusitis is a type of allergy characterized by inflammation of the sinuses, a region located below the eyes and around the nose.
Sinusitis can cause several symptoms such as nasal congestion as well as headaches and pain in various areas of the face, which can be quite uncomfortable and also harmful to the quality of life of those with the 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 triggers for sinusitis are chemical products, flower pollen, and even certain types of perfumes. It’s also worth noting that sinusitis, like rhinitis, can affect people of all ages.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Some of the main symptoms of sinusitis are:
- Sensation of pressure in the facial area
- Reduced sense of smell and, in some cases, even loss of smell
- Headaches located in the center of the forehead
- Nasal congestion
- Earache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
There are also cases in which a person has both rhinitis and sinusitis, which can combine the symptoms of these two types of allergy and become truly bothersome. Especially in these cases, seeking treatment as soon as possible is extremely important.
Treatments for Sinusitis
As with rhinitis, it’s important to identify the agent causing allergic sinusitis and avoid contact with it as much as possible. To relieve the symptoms, a doctor may also prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids.
A doctor may also recommend treatment with medication that can make sinusitis go away. In more severe cases, or when the treatment does not have the desired effects, a doctor may consider a surgical procedure.
So, what is the difference between Rhinitis and Sinusitis?
Now that you have a deeper understanding of what rhinitis and sinusitis are, it becomes much easier to notice the main differences between these two types of respiratory allergies. While one involves inflammation of the nasal mucosa, the other involves inflammation around the nose.
And even though some symptoms are similar, such as nasal congestion, they are two different types of allergies and need to be treated as such so that you can manage them correctly, since the triggers for these allergies are also different.
Understanding the differences between rhinitis and sinusitis is always important so that we also know how to treat these two different types of allergy. It is very important to highlight that having rhinitis does not mean you cannot have sinusitis or vice versa. However, the treatment for each of these allergies is done differently, so even if you suffer from both conditions, you still need to know more about each one. Taking better care of yourself means ensuring a better life and fewer health problems!
See also: Flu or Allergy?
