Gateway Reporter

Dr. John Ditto, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist at Richmond Breathe Free, said that sinusitis and allergies share overlapping symptoms, making differentiation challenging. The statement was made on Instagram on August 23, 2024.

"What's the correlation between sinusitis and allergies? Both of the symptoms overlap, so it's difficult to tell," said Ditto, ENT Specialist, according to Instagram. "With sinusitis, you know that it's probably at more facial pressure, purulent drainage, and usually a loss of sense of smell. Whereas in allergies, the symptoms are less severe. It's usually sneezing, eyes itching, watery, and itching."

According to the Mayo Clinic, sinusitis and allergies often present with similar symptoms, leading to potential confusion in diagnosis. Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses, commonly causes facial pain, pressure, nasal congestion, and thick, discolored mucus. In contrast, allergies typically result in sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and clear nasal discharge. Notably, itchy eyes are a hallmark of allergies and are rarely associated with sinus infections.

Medscape reports that allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, affects a significant portion of the population. In the United States alone, it impacts approximately 19.2 million adults, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes. These symptoms can affect daily activities and reduce the quality of life.

Chronic sinusitis is a prolonged inflammation of the sinuses lasting at least 12 weeks even with treatment, as reported by the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, reduced sense of smell, and thick nasal discharge. This condition can significantly impact an individual's quality of life by leading to fatigue and decreased productivity.

According to Richmond Breathe Free's website information about Dr. Ditto's credentials includes his board certification as an otolaryngologist specializing in disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. He earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Michigan's Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. With over two decades of experience in his field has been recognized multiple times as a top doctor by his peers.

Richmond Breathe Free is a medical practice specializing in sinus and allergy treatments offering advanced procedures such as balloon sinuplasty and allergy immunotherapy focusing on leveraging state-of-the-art technology to improve patients' quality of life by addressing sinus-related health issues.