Allergic Rhinitis vs Sinusitis: How to Spot the Difference

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Key Takeaways

Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis can feel similar, but the causes differ: allergies vs infection/inflammation.
Mucus colour, itch, facial pressure, and symptom duration are useful clues.
Allergic rhinitis often involves sneezing and an itchy nose/eyes with clear watery discharge, while sinusitis commonly causes facial pain/pressure and thicker discoloured mucus.
If symptoms persist >10 days, worsen after initial improvement, or recur often, medical review can help clarify the cause.
Chronic sinusitis is usually considered when symptoms last ≥12 weeks, and may need further ENT evaluation.

Introduction

A blocked nose, pressure around the eyes, or constant congestion can make everyday life uncomfortable. But the cause isn’t always obvious, especially in Singapore’s humid climate, where nasal issues are common year-round.

Two conditions that are frequently confused are allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. While both can cause congestion and nasal symptoms, the underlying triggers and treatments are different.

In this article, we break down allergic rhinitis vs sinusitis, including clear symptom patterns, a quick self-check table, and when it may be time to seek medical advice in Singapore.

Why These Conditions Are Often Confused

Nasal conditions with similar symptoms can be challenging to distinguish. Both can lead to congestion, facial pressure, sneezing, or a runny nose. Common signs include:

Nasal congestion or blockage
Runny nose or post-nasal drip
Facial pressure or discomfort
Loss or reduction in the sense of smell
Sneezing or a lingering cough

With so much overlap, it is easy to mistake one condition for another. However, understanding the differences between allergic rhinitis vs sinusitis can help you recognise the root cause and choose the right approach to manage ongoing symptoms.

What Causes Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is caused by the body’s response to certain allergens. These may include dust mites, mould, pet dander, or pollen. The reaction is not caused by an infection, but rather by ongoing exposure to environmental triggers that lead to inflammation in the nasal passages.

In Singapore, this is a common issue due to the constant presence of indoor allergens, especially in air-conditioned spaces. Symptoms may appear throughout the year or flare up in response to weather changes, household cleaning, or close contact with animals.

Common signs include:

Frequent sneezing, often in bursts
Clear and watery nasal discharge
Itching in the eyes, nose, or throat
Symptoms that worsen indoors or in dusty areas

Local Insight: Singapore’s warm and humid climate creates favourable conditions for dust mites and mould. These are two of the most common triggers for long-term nasal irritation related to allergy.

What Causes Sinusitis?

Sinusitis develops when the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed, most often due to an infection. It can occur after a cold or flu, or may be related to structural issues in the nasal passages, such as a deviated septum that affects drainage.

There are two common forms:

Acute sinusitis: usually follows a viral infection and lasts fewer than four weeks
Chronic sinusitis: involves inflammation that continues for more than 12 weeks, with or without active infection

Typical symptoms include:

Pressure or discomfort around the cheeks, forehead, or eyes
Thick, yellow or green nasal discharge
Headache or pain in the upper jaw or teeth
Tiredness and occasionally a low-grade fever

Compared to allergic causes, sinus-related symptoms tend to be more localised and may be accompanied by a general sense of feeling unwell.

Allergic Rhinitis vs Sinusitis: Quick Self-Check Comparison Table

Use this quick guide to understand the differences.

Feature	Allergic Rhinitis	Sinusitis
Main trigger	Allergens (dust mites, mould, pet dander, pollen)	Often infection (viral → sometimes bacterial), drainage blockage
Nasal discharge	Usually clear + watery	Often thicker, may be yellow/green
Sneezing	Common, often in bursts	Less common
Itchy eyes/nose/throat	Common	Uncommon
Facial pain/pressure	Mild or absent	Common (cheeks/forehead/around eyes)
Smell loss	Possible	More common (esp. chronic)
Duration pattern	Ongoing / recurring with exposure	Often follows a cold; can persist >10 days
Fever / feeling unwell	Rare	Can occur (esp. infection-related)

Quick clue:
If symptoms include itch, sneezing, and clear discharge, an allergy is more likely.
If there’s facial pain, thick mucus, sinusitis becomes more likely.

6 Key Differences That Help You Tell Them Apart

1. Itchiness is a strong allergy clue

Itch in the eyes, nose, or throat strongly points to allergic rhinitis. Sinusitis usually causes discomfort or pressure, not itch.

2. Sneezing patterns

Repeated, burst sneezing is more typical of allergic rhinitis.

3. Type of nasal discharge

Allergic rhinitis: usually clear and watery
Sinusitis: often thicker and more “blocked” in feel

4. Facial pain/pressure

Sinusitis tends to cause more localised pressure over the cheeks, forehead, and around the eyes.

5. Timing (what happens before symptoms start)

Allergic rhinitis symptoms may appear after allergen exposure or in certain environments
Sinusitis may follow a cold or respiratory infection

6. Symptom duration and recurrence

If nasal symptoms:

Recur frequently in similar environments (dusty rooms, aircon) → more allergy-related
Persist after a cold without improvement → sinus inflammation may be more likely

Why Knowing the Difference Matters

Although symptoms overlap, the approach differs depending on the cause.

Allergic rhinitis typically focuses on identifying triggers and managing allergic inflammation
Sinusitis management depends on whether inflammation is acute, persistent, or recurring, and whether further evaluation is needed

Mistaking one for the other can lead to:

Using antibiotics when allergies are the main driver
Delays in the proper evaluation of persistent sinus inflammation
Ongoing symptoms affecting sleep, work, and daily comfort

When Should You Seek Medical Advice?

Consider a medical review if symptoms:

Persist beyond 10 days
Keep returning or become frequent
Include persistent facial pressure
Cause ongoing reduction in sense of smell
Disrupts sleep due to nasal blockage
Do not improve despite basic home measures

Signs that may require earlier attention

Seek prompt care if there is:

Swelling or discomfort around the eyes
Severe headache or escalating facial pain
Symptoms that significantly worsen rather than stabilise

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between allergic rhinitis vs sinusitis is not always straightforward, especially when symptoms overlap. But by observing key patterns, itchiness, discharge type, facial pressure, and symptom duration, it becomes easier to recognise what may be driving the issue.

If your symptoms persist, recur often, or interfere with daily activities, a medical review with an ENT specialist in Singapore may help clarify the underlying cause and guide the next steps.

You may also read more about nose allergy and ent sinusitis for deeper explanations of each condition.