Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis both cause a blocked or runny nose, but they have different causes. Allergic rhinitis is an immune response to inhaled allergens such as house dust mites, cockroach particles or pollen. It causes sneezing, itching, watery discharge and nasal congestion, typically without fever or facial pain. In Bengaluru, house dust mites are among the most common triggers I see in my clinic. Sinusitis, by contrast, is inflammation of the sinus lining, usually following a viral infection that blocks normal sinus drainage. It tends to cause facial pain or pressure, thicker discharge, reduced sense of smell and sometimes a low-grade fever. Allergic rhinitis can, however, contribute to recurrent or chronic sinusitis by keeping the nasal lining inflamed and obstructing drainage. If your symptoms include persistent facial pressure or recurrent sinus infections, a specialist evaluation is the right next step.
Written by Dr. Arathi Karat, MBBS, MS ENT, DNB ENT, Consultant ENT Specialist and Allergy Expert, Allergy Central, Indiranagar, and Chirayu Multi-Speciality Clinic, Kasturi Nagar, Bengaluru.
Related reading:
Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis: How to Tell the Difference and When You May Have Both
