Sinus infections (sinusitis) can severely affect your quality of life. Without proper nonsurgical sinus care, sinusitis can cause fatigue, facial pain, migraines, and even bad breath. When triggered by allergies, sinusitis can be a reoccurring condition. It’s best to treat allergic sinusitis by diagnosing the allergies causing your infection.
At NY Allergy & Sinus Centers, we perform nonsurgical sinus care to help you feel better fast. Our minimally invasive treatment options are ideal for those who experience both acute and chronic sinusitis. We use a low radiation CT scan with 3-D software to view your sinuses to diagnose your sinus infection and effectively treat it.
Conditions Treated Nonsurgically
Rhinitis
Rhinitis is inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose. It is usually caused by the common cold or allergies. Symptoms of this condition include congestion, postnasal drip, and sneezing. Our NYC allergists can diagnose this condition with a quick assessment and a 3-D scan of your sinuses. In seconds, we are able to view your sinuses and recommend a treatment plan.
Allergic Sinusitis
Allergic sinusitis is a sinus infection brought on by an allergic condition. Symptoms may include sinus pressure, nasal congestion (sneezing, runny nose) and postnasal drip that persists for more than two weeks. They can also be accompanied by itchy eyes, nose, and throat. To diagnose allergic sinusitis, a board-certified allergist may perform an allergy test along with a sinus scan. Our allergists provide same-day nonsurgical sinus care after diagnosing your allergic sinusitis.
Bacterial Rhinosinusitis
Bacterial rhinosinusitis is an infection of both your nasal cavity and sinuses caused by bacteria. Symptoms include face pain or pressure that’s worse when leaning forward, yellow or greenish discharge from your nose, and jaw or teeth pain. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis lasts for less than 4 weeks while chronic rhinosinusitis lasts longer. Visit one of our sinus specialists for more detailed information about this condition and to learn how nonsurgical sinus care can help.
Fungal Sinus Infection
Exposure to yeast, mold, or other fungi can cause a sinus infection. Postnasal drip and tenderness in the face are common symptoms. Current methods of testing for fungal sinus infections include a full examination of the sinuses, imaging tests (3-D CT scan), and cultures to determine if the infection is indeed caused by fungi or bacteria.
Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are abnormal, soft, swollen, sac-like growths of inflamed tissue that line the inside of your nose or your sinuses. The most common symptoms of nasal polyps include facial sinus fullness, reduced sense of smell, and feeling blockage in your nose/ having to breathe through your mouth. An ENT or allergist may need to perform an endoscopy and cat scan to diagnose nasal polyps. In many patients, nonsurgical sinus care aimed to reduce inflammation can significantly increase their quality of life. However, other patients may need sinus surgery to remove nasal polyps.
Nonsurgical Sinus Care Options
Antihistamines
For sinus infections caused by an allergic condition, antihistamines may prevent them from reoccurring. You can buy them over the counter or request a prescription. Our NYC allergists are available six days a week to help determine which antihistamine will work best for your symptoms.
Decongestants and Nasal Sprays
Decongestants help relieve congestion by reducing swelling, inflammation and mucus formation within the nasal passages or eyes. They come in the form of pills or nasal sprays. Decongestants should only be used for no more than one week at a time. Ask our allergists about decongestants to soothe your sinus pressure.
Antibiotics
Most sinus infections can be treated without antibiotics. However, in cases of bacterial sinus infections, you may need antibiotics to treat the infection. Using our sinus ct scan, our physicians quickly diagnose the cause of your sinus infection to determine if you need antibiotics.
Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
If allergies are contributing to your sinusitis, allergy shots (immunotherapy) might improve the condition. This is an ongoing treatment that provides lifelong allergy relief. Most patients with allergies lasting more than six weeks of the year are qualified to receive immunotherapy.
Steroid Injections
Your allergist may recommend steroid injections if you have a sinus infection that isn’t responding to other treatments or lasts for more than 12 weeks. These injections work to reduce inflammation and swelling in your sinuses. An ENT or allergist administers them directly into inflamed tissue and usually considers them as the last option.
In patients resistant to nonsurgical sinus care, sinus surgery may be needed. In this case, our allergist will refer you to an ENT specialist. Patients who respond to medical treatment, do not need surgery and can continue allergy treatment at one of our six offices in NYC. To schedule an appointment for nonsurgical sinus care, call (212) 686-4448 or click here.