Sinus Infection vs. Allergies

Sinus infections produce severe sinus headaches, sometimes fevers, sore throats from post nasal drip, sneezing and yellow/green mucous.

Allergy symptoms are sinus headaches (they can be severe but it doesn't normally feel like an elephant is sitting on your face), itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, post nasal drip and ear pain.

If the pain is real bad when you press on your sinus area and you have discolored discharge then that is usually a sign of an infection.

If you do have yellow in your mucous then it might indicate that an infection is brewing. Docs say that allergies can't turn into infections but I think that's bull. I have seen it happen way too many times from my kids and myself to know otherwise. Just keep an eye on yourself and remember to drink lots of liquid. Water can help thin the secretions.

I've been taking Sudafed for sinus and allergies. I haven't gotten a bad headache and only slight nausea since starting it. I think I might try switching back to Zyrtec this weekend.


I tried to explain to my allergist that a nasal spray wouldn't be a good idea b/c my nose was scratched up, so he gave me some sort of anti-bacterial cream (bactrium or something like that)...I hope this plus the Ayr will help heal up my nose. But I'm still not using the nasal spray.



And you know what stinks? How the dried up skin inside of my nose looks like boogers. So even though I know I should not keep peeling off the dry skin, I still do it so I don't like a freak with boogers in my nose at work.



Ugh, I've spent $100 this week on allergy meds.

I have had sinus infections and allergies a long time and use to take antibiotics and prednisone to open up the sinuses and get rid of the infection on a regular basis. I think allergies and sinus infections go hand in hand. If the allergies clog you sinuses, then they easily become infected. I have had good results from a nasal irrigator. I got a rubber tip from an ENT Doc. and it fit on a WaterPic. It flushes out the nose, but now I have seen ads for nasal irrigators. My best results for sinus infections has been from using a nasal steamer with some sage, thyme and cinnamon oils. It gets into the sinuses and kills the infection. The best site to find out about it is the Ben Roy Baker face book site. Be Well.

I don't see a problem with it. Afterall, many people use allergy meds 24/7 for years with no issues.

I also suffer from seasonal allergies and this spring has been the worst I've experienced.  I also am prone to sinus infections and know all those yucky symptoms or so I thought.  Last month I had a headache lasting for days and days but no stuffy nose, no trouble breathing, no watery eyes, no drainage, nothing but a headache.  Actually, I couldn't even blow my nose because there was nothing productive!  I figured it was allergies until one day I sneezed into a tissue and it was the worst smell I could imagine but even then there was no mucus in the tissue.  So I went to the doctor and it was a sinus infection.  She said I was very congested high up in the sinuses which is why there were no usual symptoms.  So, sometimes only a doctor can tell the difference between allergy or sinus infection.  I hope you feel better.