South Indy News

• Indiana allergy season is in full swing, and will continue over the next couple of months.

• If you struggle with sinusitis, it's encouraged to get tested for allergies by an ENT doctor.

• For those diagnosed with allergies, there are minimally invasive treatment options available that can lead to a better quality of life.

With Indiana allergies being prevalent in the spring, summer and fall it's likely that those with sinusitis are having to deal with extra inflammation, especially this time of year. Dr. Anthony Sanders, of Indianapolis Sinus Center, said allergies can lead to chronic sinus infections.

"Allergies are a form of nasal inflammation caused by environmental things that you inhale that trigger the allergic response, so it can cause problems with nasal inflammation, swelling drainage and symptoms that sometimes are somewhat similar to chronic sinusitis," Sanders said. "In addition, people who have poorly controlled allergies tend to get nasal swelling, and oftentimes, if your sinus openings are too small to allow infection to drain out, then that's when you have problems with chronic sinus infections."

Allergies in Indiana can be heightened during the spring, summer and fall, according to Wyndly. With summer in full swing, they noted that the main thing to look out for this time of year in the area is grass allergies. Going into the fall, you'll need to lookout for weed allergies.

The 50 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies might experience sneezing, coughing, congestion, itchy eyes, a runny nose and fatigue, according to Yale Medicine. People who need to undergo testing for allergies typically have two options. One option is is a skin prick test, during which a doctor will insert a tiny amount of potential allergens under the skin of the patient's upper arm. The skin will become red and swollen if the patient has an allergy, and patients typically have their results within one to two days. 

The other option is a blood test, during which the patient's blood is drawn and tested for allergens in a lab. Although this testing method takes longer, it allows doctors to test for more allergens than during a skin test, according to Yale Medicine.

Symptoms of allergies can vary depending on the specific substance and may impact various parts of your body, including your airways, sinuses, nasal passages, skin and digestive system, according to Mayo Clinic. Allergic responses can span a spectrum from mild to severe, and can include sneezing, an itchy or runny nose and watery or swollen eyes.

For patients dealing with allergies, there are minimally invasive treatment options available that can give them a better quality of life. One of these treatment options is the balloon sinuplasty, which is a safe and minimally invasive procedure utilized by surgeons to address chronic sinusitis, according to Nuffield Health. During the process, doctors insert a guide wire equipped with a small balloon into the nostrils and navigate it to the area of blockage.