Our team at Northwest Sinus Center can provide you with the help that you need to manage a myriad of different health problems. For example, Dr. Ryan Gallivan can help you understand the differences between sinus infections and allergies in Bend, OR, and ensure you get the treatment that you need. If you’re still not certain, read on to learn more.

Are These Two Issues Related?

These two health problems are often confused for each other and aren’t necessarily always related. In fact, they’re quite different in their underlying cause and potential dangers. A sinus infection or sinusitis occurs when the sinuses in the nose get infected with bacteria and typically clears up after about 10 days, though longer sinus problems are possible.

By contrast, allergies are a type of immune system issue that occurs when the body fights harmless things, like pollen, and causes inflammation that can feel like a sinus infection. As unconnected as they might seem on the surface, allergies can cause a sinus infection in some circumstances. How is that possible? Let’s take a look at what happens with this issue.

First, the sinuses can swell up after exposure to allergens. When this happens, bacteria and other dangerous items might get trapped in the nose. Unfortunately, this might cause a sinus infection in some people. At Northwest Sinus Center, Dr. Gallivan understands how sinus infections in Bend, OR, and allergies are connected and will do what it takes to manage them.

What Can Be Done?

If your allergies trigger a sinus infection more than once, it’s important to get treatment that minimizes this risk for you. First, reducing your allergies is important by using treatments like nasal steroids, antihistamines, decongestants, mast cell stabilizers, oral steroids, immunotherapy, and learning to avoid the allergen. This should help keep you safer.

When you do get a sinus infection, it’s important to talk with a doctor to get sinus flushes, steam inhalation, saline sprays, and steroid sprays that help reduce inflammation. Nasal strips may also help to make it easier to sleep and reduce some problems. Antibiotics are critical if there’s a bacterial infection and should reduce your symptoms even further to improve your breathing.

Can We Help You?

At Northwest Sinus Center, Dr. Gallivan can treat allergies and sinus infections in Bend, OR, and ensure that you get the help that you need. Our team of professionals is standing by and willing to provide the high-quality support that you need to bounce back from these problems. Reach out to us if you’re concerned about these issues and need to work with a team that you can trust to handle your sinus health. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (855) 746-8700.