Spring may have sprung, but for some sufferers so has their allergies. And if a runny nose and watery eyes isn’t bad enough, more than half of Canadians with allergies are also susceptible to sinusitis – a painful condition that can be characterized as a cold that just won’t go away. Affected by the dreaded double whammy of allergy and sinusitis? Don’t despair. Allergy and sinus symptoms can be controlled – you just need an action plan.

Allergy or Sinusitis?

The first step for sufferers is to determine the difference between their allergy and sinusitis symptoms - not always a simple task.

Allergies occur when a person comes into contact with an allergen, such as plants, pollen, animals or mold. In return, the body creates an immune reaction to offset this attack, which can lead to sneezing, runny nose, watery or itchy eyes and even a sore throat.

Sinusitis develops when the sinus areas become inflamed due to an infection or allergy. Discomfort starts when an allergic reaction makes the membranes of the nose swell, plugging these openings. Inside the sealed cavities, mucus builds up, creating the perfect environment for a bacterial infection. The result? Sinusitis: headache, pain above and below your eyes, congestion, cough and postnasal drip to name a few.

“Suffering from allergies as well as sinusitis is not just a minor annoyance,” says pharmacist, Martin Fisher. “This condition can seriously impact our lives - from how much sleep we get to how well we perform at work. In my practice, my clients are often most concerned about the long-term effects in taking certain medications, which has sparked a demand for products that have low risk of drug interactions and tolerance build-up.”

A fact that has not escaped industry experts.

“Dual purpose allergy and sinus products are on the market – and most sufferers try them,” says Maria Papa, Brand Manager for the new Reactine Allergy and Sinus Tablets. “While the demand for combination products is growing, drug interactions, significant side effects, effectiveness and how long relief lasts continue to be issues for sufferers. That’s why it’s so rewarding to see our investment in research and development starting to impact some of these challenges. Our new one-dose allergy and sinus treatment works fast to relieve allergy (24 hours) and sinus symptoms (12 hours) without significant side effects.”

Looking for options? Pharmacist, Martin Fisher suggests the following to take control of your allergies and sinusitis this season:

Take Charge. Narrow down the cause of your allergic reaction. While determining your allergy triggers can be challenging, once identified, you can steer clear of whatever gets you sniffling and sneezing in the first place.

Butt Out & Drink Up. Remember tobacco smoke, strong chemical odours and even swimming in chlorinated pools can irritate the nasal lining and sinus membranes so avoiding these activities is a good idea. Need to clear congestion? Try drinking plenty of fluids, especially water to promote drainage.

Get on the Wagon. Alcohol also causes nasal membranes to swell – which can aggravate sinus symptoms, so steer clear of liquor, beer or wine.

Be Kind. Blow the nose gently, not forcefully, to avoid triggering infection. As inhaling warm, moist air can offer relief, try placing your head over steaming water, covering it with a towel, and breathing in the steam. Other options include applying warm facial packs to tender, sore frontal areas to ease sinus pain.

What to Take. According to Fisher, first-generation antihistamines are not appropriate for sinusitis as they can cause dryness of the oral and nasal secretions, which can worsen the condition. Decongestants are often used with second-generation antihistamines, but the inconvenience of taking multiple treatments, as well as overmedicating can be a challenge for many sufferers. With dual-purpose allergy and sinus products, Fisher suggests looking at treatments that have both a decongestant and antihistamine. Yet if drug interactions or tolerance build-up continues to be a concern, check that the main ingredient in the antihistamine is an active metabolite – such as cetirizine. Cetirizine does not have to be processed by the liver, so there is minimal interference with your system and little concern for drug interaction.

Check with Your Healthcare Professional. If allergy and sinus symptoms persist, consult your local pharmacist to discuss a solution.