Central Texas News

The spring season is just beginning and bringing with it seasonal allergies for many people.

Twice a year, the days and nights are exactly the same in length, which is an event called an equinox. According to the Farmers' Almanac, the spring equinox arrives on Sunday, March 20, officially marking the start of spring. Unfortunately for many who suffer from sinus inflammation or headaches, the allergy season is just ramping up.

According to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, tree pollen is the first offender to bring on sinus inflammation and other symptoms during the month of February. Trees can begin producing pollen as early as January and continue into June in some cases. Tree pollen can cause the same allergy symptoms known as “spring allergies,” such as sinus inflammation, sneezing, congestion and itchy, watery eyes.

In March, tree pollen becomes more of an issue, but there are added triggers from grasses that may be coming in, as reported by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). Tree, grass and ragweed pollens do particularly well at irritating people during cool nights and warmer days.

In April, grass pollen emerges and flowers are still in bloom, causing worsening seasonal allergic rhinitis, according to ACAAI.

May might bring much of the same, unfortunately. All these conditions are weather-dependent, however. If the weather is favorable to any specific plant, one type of pollen might see higher than normal levels during that particular season.

If you have compounding problems of narrow sinuses and allergies, there are treatment options. To treat narrow sinuses or structural problems, a specialist might recommend balloon sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, typically done in a doctor's office, where tiny balloons are inserted into the sinuses to expand the narrow opening, allowing the patient to breathe better.

"We offer allergy treatment, allergy testing for people that do have significant allergic rhinitis," Dr. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Central Texas News. "You can permanently alter someone's immune system over time with immunotherapy, allergy shots or drops, and that can provide permanent improvements for patients. Also, when you intervene in their nose with balloon sinuplasty, you can also offer permanent changes to the way those sinuses drain and the way the patient breathes. I think that's exciting to be able to offer this level of treatment with decreased recoveries, in an office setting that just makes it more convenient for that patient."

A sinus inflammation specialist can pinpoint the cause and help you find relief. Take our quiz to find out more.