Allergies can produce many of the same cold-like symptoms as a sinus infection, including sinus pressure, a runny nose and congestion. But the condition itself, called allergic rhinitis, is different. It is caused by an allergic response to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander.
How do you get rid of congestion from allergies?
Home Treatments
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer.
- Take long showers or breathe in steam from a pot of warm (but not too hot) water.
- Drink lots of fluids. …
- Use a nasal saline spray. …
- Try a Neti pot, nasal irrigator, or bulb syringe. …
- Place a warm, wet towel on your face. …
- Prop yourself up. …
- Avoid chlorinated pools.
Why is my nose so stuffy all of a sudden?
Nasal congestion can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies are frequent causes of nasal congestion and runny nose. Sometimes a congested and runny nose can be caused by irritants such as tobacco smoke and car exhaust.
How do I know if its sinus or allergies?
Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. One of the key differences is the itchiness of your eyes and skin that can occur with allergies, as well as the thick, yellow or green nasal discharge that’s notable with sinusitis. Another difference is the timeline.
Does Zyrtec help with congestion?
Try ZYRTEC®-D to powerfully clear your blocked nose and relieve your other allergy symptoms, so you can breathe easier all day. * *Provides 12 hour relief of nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and itchy nose and throat. Find it behind the pharmacy counter.
What is the best allergy medicine for congestion?
Some pills with decongestants that you can check into are:
- Chlorpheniramine/phenylephrine (Actifed)
- Loratadine/pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)
- Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
How can you unblock your nose?
Here are eight things you can do now to feel and breathe better.
- Use a humidifier. A humidifier provides a quick, easy way to reduce sinus pain and relieve a stuffy nose. …
- Take a shower. …
- Stay hydrated. …
- Use a saline spray. …
- Drain your sinuses. …
- Use a warm compress. …
- Try decongestants. …
- Take antihistamines or allergy medicine.
What is the difference between stuffy nose and nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion, or “stuffy nose,” is a term that refers to the obstruction to the flow of air in and out of the nose. In contrast, the term “runny nose” refers to a discharge (fluid) coming from the nasal passages.
Why has my nose been stuffed for months?
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the spaces inside your nose and head (sinuses) are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. This common condition interferes with the way mucus normally drains, and makes your nose stuffy.
What causes allergies in the nose?
This type of rhinitis occurs mainly in the spring and fall, when pollen from trees, grasses and weeds are in the air. Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that are present all year long. The primary causes of this type of rhinitis are allergies to dust mites, mold, animal dander and cockroach debris.
What do sinus allergies feel like?
Painful, swollen feeling around your forehead, eyes, and cheeks. Headache or pain in your teeth. Post-nasal drip (mucus that moves from the back of your nose into your throat)
Can allergies feel like a sinus infection?
Allergies can produce many of the same cold-like symptoms as a sinus infection, including sinus pressure, a runny nose and congestion. But the condition itself, called allergic rhinitis, is different. It is caused by an allergic response to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander.
Does Zyrtec break up mucus?
When they dry out mucus, they can actually thicken it. Newer antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetirizine (Xyzal), and desloratadine (Clarinex), may be better options and are less likely to cause drowsiness.
Does Zyrtec help with shortness of breath?
Results: Cetirizine treatment significantly reduced baseline severity of several symptoms of rhinitis (itchy nose, nasal congestion, and watery eyes), and asthma (chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and nocturnal asthma).
Does Claritin help stuffy nose?
Claritin blocks the action of histamine, a substance in the body that initiates allergic symptoms like itching, sneezing, runny nose, and allergic skin rashes. A difference is that Claritin D contains a decongestant and is also used to treat nasal congestion and sinus pressure.