Summer Allergies & Sinus Infections

Sinus infections and summer allergies are both common conditions that can cause similar symptoms. In some cases, your allergies can even cause you to experience chronic sinus infections that occur during high-allergen periods.

If you’re struggling with symptoms, here’s what you should know:

Diagnosing Summer Allergies

With higher, humid temperatures also comes a new set of allergens for patients to be mindful of here in Georgia. Summer allergies are often caused by pollen from grasses, with some overlap from tree pollens in the late spring and weed pollen which can appear as early as August. Knowing the cause of your allergy symptoms is the first step.

Having seasonal allergies may seem like a minor annoyance, but they can also be very uncomfortable and lead to sinus infections if left untreated. Signs that you have undiagnosed summer allergies include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

What Causes a Sinus Infection?

Sinus infections are often caused by allergies, colds, or other irritation and can be resolved with antibiotics, decongestants, and other medications. They can be painful and annoying, but fortunately, there are ways to treat them. Sinus infections and summer allergies can cause similar symptoms, including sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and facial pain.

It’s common for undiagnosed allergy patients to suffer from acute sinus infections 3-4 times per year or more without knowing the cause. If you notice repetitive sinus infections, you may benefit from a complete allergy evaluation. If found to be allergic, allergy immunotherapy administered by our allergy specialists can reduce the number of infections caused by allergies.

"Many patients come to me complaining of chronic sinus infections and do not realize that their untreated nasal allergies are contributing to their problems,” says Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia’s Dr. John Vickery. “If we get the allergies under control, they will experience significant improvement in the recurring infections.”

Read More: Top Tips for Avoiding Summer Sinus Infections

Treating Your Georgia Sinus Infections & Allergy Symptoms

If you are experiencing symptoms of sinus infection or summer allergies, it is important to see a doctor so that you can get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan for your condition. No matter which condition you are dealing with —or if you are dealing with both— there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms and feel better overall.