An allergy normally is a reaction given by the body when it feels that a foreign body has entered it. It considers these bodies as allergens and throws up signals to the body to produce histamines which produce the required allergy symptoms. Amongst the various parts of the body the sinus is a sensitive area as it is the doorway to smell. All objects that we smell are indirectly related to the sinus. The sinus has small cilia like structures which block the entry of what the body feels is a foreign body. However when there is an allergy these foreign bodies come in greater numbers and affect its functioning. A situation where the sinus is unable to protect the body from these allergens is called sinusitis. Sinusitis is normally treated with medicines. One also tries to treat it with a hot pack on the face etc. The goals of the treatment are
If the sinusitis is a bacterial infection then the medicines can be given to cure it. The treatment time varies from infection to infections. The medicines could be antibiotics, decongestants, analgesics, mucolytic and corticosteroids. These days sinus allergy treatment involves the use of inhaled antibiotics.
Short term sinusitis lasts for less than 4 weeks. Antibiotic treatment should be given in the end only. Sinus allergies are normally caused by viruses so administering antibiotics is not going to help. The antibiotics also have side effects like diarrhea, and may make the body anti resistant to it. A consistent sinus allergy patient would be able to recognize the proper sinus allergy symptoms. The main reason to treat the sinus allergy is to reduce the pain and discomfort. A typical sinus allergy is treated by removing the infection and draining of the sinuses.
The primary objectives for treatment of sinusitis are reduction of swelling, eradication of infection, draining of the sinuses, and ensuring that the sinuses remain open. Besides the normal ways of treatment could be adopted like keeping dust mites away from the house, washing linen in hot water etc.
Sinus allergy can also be combated with inhalations done many times a day. A nasal wash also is useful in extreme cases. Some people also have a nasal irrigation wherein the sinusitis is relieved. Sinus allergy and ear infections these days are commonly treated only with antibiotics. The use of antibiotics should be done to the bare minimum for combating sinusitis and sinus allergy. However, if the patient has high fever coupled with a lot of cough and cold and doesn’t respond to normal treatment then antibiotics are given. It should be understood that antibiotics double the risk of a vaginal infection.
There are sinus patients with an allergic reaction. Such patients are put under the category of an asthma patient. Decongestants, pain relievers, expectorants etc are given to ease the trouble.
Sometimes the sinus allergy can be treated with corticosteroids. These increase the flow of air in the nasal passage and relieve the patient of the discomfort.
Antihistamines are used to relieve the sneezing and the itching that are sometimes common in sinus allergy. Antihistamine should be taken before the allergy.
Sometimes allergy shots are administered which is called immumotherapy. This is the only treatment that affects the cause of allergies.
Sometimes the allergy attack spreads beyond the nasal sinuses into the bone, brain & other parts of the body. Here high-power antibiotic medicine is given and if necessary a surgical intervention.
For severe fungal sinusitis then the treatment is only aggressive surgery.
In this way it is seen that sinus allergy treatment is not a difficult thing to do only it has to be monitored.