There’s no better time than spring to visit the Atlantic Botanical Garden and enjoy the beautiful flowers. But there’s also no better time to experience those pesky symptoms like a stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and sinus pressure thanks to seasonal allergies.
If you suffer from sinus pressure and other unpleasant symptoms during springtime, below is a guide to help you understand why and find relief.
What Causes Allergies?
While it’s your immune system’s job to protect your body from dangerous intruders, sometimes it can mistake something benign, like pollen, as a threat and launch an attack. During this attack, chemicals like histamine are released, and it is this substance that causes your allergy symptoms.
A substance that triggers this type of response is known as an allergen. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, mold and pet dander.
How Are the Sinuses Affected by Allergies?
The sinuses are hollow cavities that are lined with a thin layer of mucus. They have the important job of trapping dust and germs as well as moistening the air you breathe. There are four main sinuses that contribute to sinus pain:
- Frontal sinuses, located in your forehead.
- Ethmoid sinuses, located behind your nose and between your eyes.
- Maxillary sinuses, located behind the cheek bones and between the bottom of your eyes and the top of your upper jaw.
- Sphenoid sinuses, located deep in the head behind your nose.
During an allergic reaction, the lining of these sinuses swells, blocking the normal flow of mucus and preventing it from draining. As a result, the mucus becomes trapped in the sinuses. Symptoms of sinus inflammation include:
- Thick, discolored drainage.
- Postnasal drip.
- Fullness in the ear.
- Headache.
- Cough.
- Toothache.
How to Find Relief from Sinus Pressure
There are many ways to manage allergy symptoms, including sinus pain and pressure.
- Take an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine or decongestant. Taking a daily allergy medication can stop symptoms before they begin.
- Track pollen counts. You can check your local forecast online. Stay indoors and keep windows shut when pollen counts are predicted to be high.
- Shower and change right away after spending time outside. When you do go outside, be sure to rinse off in the shower and change into clean clothes to avoid bringing allergens into your home.
- If you have air conditioning, use it. This will help filter allergens out of the air.
For more information about treating or preventing allergy symptoms, call the allergy experts at ENT of Georgia today.
