What is a Board-Certified Allergist?

Board certified allergists are specialists who have met the highest level of nationally-recognized standards for education and expertise in the field of allergy, asthma and immunology. This formal and lengthy education process is necessary to cultivate the expertise required to provide the highest-quality of care for patients with allergies and asthma. By achieving board certification, allergists demonstrate their commitment to excellence and expertise in their field, which translates to state-of-the-art, evidence-based care.

What are the Benefits of Seeing a Board Certified Allergist?

Board certification tells you that your doctor has attained the highest level of expertise to treat your health issues.

How do you find a Board-Certified Allergist?

When you start searching for an allergist/immunologist, it’s important to make sure you find a doctor you are comfortable with and you can trust. Search online for information about the doctors you are considering and ask people you trust for names of physicians they recommend. Then visit Certification Matters and enter your doctor’s name to determine if he or she is board-certified. This is a service that allows you to see if a specific doctor is certified.

Can you detect allergies through a blood test?

Yes. When you become allergic to an allergen, your body creates special antibodies to fight against it. These allergic antibodies are called IgE antibodies. IgE antibodies are formed in the bone marrow and travel in the bloodstream before being deposited in the skin and other tissues where they remain for weeks to months. Although allergy skin tests are considered the gold standard for allergy testing, blood testing can also be used to measure IgE antibodies circulating in your bloodstream

What types of tests are there for allergies?

There are three main ways to get tested for allergies: Skin Tests – Skin tests are commonly used to identify many potential allergens, including airborne, food-related, and contact allergens. Blood Tests – If you are not a candidate for an allergy skin test, your allergist may suggest a blood test. Elimination Diet – To detect which foods are causing an allergic reaction, your allergist may recommend an elimination diet. This involves removing certain foods from your diet and determining if you're symptoms improve, and then adding the food back to see if you have a reaction.

Do allergy tests hurt?

The skin prick or scratch test and intradermal test may cause slight discomfort. If you are sensitive to any of the allergens being tested, your skin may itch where the allergen was placed.

How can you treat non-life threatening allergic reactions at home?

The first step is to avoid the allergen if you know what triggers a reaction. But if an allergic reaction occurs, there are several ways to treat them at home: Antihistamines – Helps treat minor allergic reactions regardless of the cause. Anti-inflammatory Medication – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) can help temporarily reduce allergy symptoms. Saline Sinus Rinse – If your allergies cause sinus problems, it’s recommended to rinse your sinuses with saline to clear the allergens from your airways. Skin Allergy Treatments – If a skin allergy occurs, you can apply corticosteroid creams or calamine lotion to reduce symptoms, an ice pack can also help reduce inflammation and allergy symptoms.

How long does an allergy test take to administer?

Not very long. The skin prick and intradermal tests are performed in the allergist’s office and take about 20 minutes total. Your skin may start to show reactions to certain allergens such as foods, environmental allergens or insect venoms. Patch tests are used to identify if a chemical may be the cause of delayed skin rashes. The patches are applied and worn for about 48 hours and then removed. Blood tests results may take up to a week to return from the laboratory.

Are hay fever and allergic rhinitis the same thing?

Yes, allergic rhinitis is simply the proper medical term for hay fever. “Hay fever” is somewhat of a misnomer since allergic rhinitis is usually not caused by hay, nor does it result in a fever.

When is hay fever the worst in Jacksonville?

The mild temperatures in Northeast Florida mean that trees start producing spring pollen early in our area– in some years as soon as December. Unfortunately, the Jacksonville area does not really have a hay fever “off-season.” Our warm winters and early springs mean that allergic rhinitis sufferers may be exposed to pollen year-round.

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Thomas Lupoli, D.O.

Sinusitis vs. Allergic Rhinitis: Why Your “Sinus Infection” Might Actually Be Allergies in Jacksonville

guide to sinusitis symptom and treatment

If you live in or near Jacksonville, chances are you’ve experienced those frustrating bouts of congestion, sneezing, and headaches every spring or fall. Perhaps you’ve labeled it a recurring “sinus infection,” reached for antibiotics, or headed straight to an ENT surgeon. But what if those symptoms aren’t a sinus infection after all? What if allergies—specifically allergic rhinitis—are at the root of your misery?

At Allergy & Asthma Specialists of North Florida, commonly known as Jax Allergy, we frequently help patients who mistakenly believe they have sinusitis. This article will clarify the differences between sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, highlight key symptoms, and guide you to the specialist who can offer the most effective relief.

What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is your immune system’s reaction to allergens such as pollen, mold spores, dust mites, or pet dander. In Jacksonville, common seasonal allergens include:

Tree pollen (especially oak, pine, and cedar)
Grass pollen
Weed pollen (ragweed)
Mold spores

When exposed to these allergens, your body releases histamines and other cellular chemicals, causing inflammation and irritation in the nasal passages and sinuses.

Key Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis:

Itchy, watery eyes
Sneezing
Runny nose with thin, clear mucus
Nasal congestion
Post-nasal drip
Itchy nose and throat

If you’re frequently dealing with symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, or nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis might be the culprit behind your discomfort. Understanding the condition thoroughly—including how allergens such as pollen, mold, and pet dander trigger your symptoms—can empower you to manage your allergies effectively. At Jax Allergy, we’ve created a comprehensive resource to help patients in Jacksonville better understand this condition, its causes, and the most effective ways to manage symptoms.

To dive deeper into recognizing and treating allergic rhinitis, visit our detailed guide: Everything You Need to Know About Allergic Rhinitis in Jacksonville.

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is inflammation or infection of your sinuses, typically caused by a virus or bacteria. Often, it develops following a cold or an untreated flare-up of allergic rhinitis. When your nasal passages are inflamed, mucus gets trapped in your sinuses, creating the perfect environment for infection.

Key Symptoms of Sinusitis:

Facial pain and pressure (around eyes, cheeks, and forehead), with pain sometimes radiating into upper teeth
Thick, yellow or green pus-like nasal discharge
Nasal congestion
Headache
Loss of smell
Bad breath
Fever
Fatigue

Sinus infections can significantly impact your daily life, causing discomfort and disruption to your routine. Effective management begins with understanding the causes and identifying appropriate treatments to provide lasting relief. At Jax Allergy, we offer comprehensive insights into the diagnosis, management, and treatment options available for sinusitis, ensuring personalized care that addresses your specific symptoms.

Learn more about sinus infections and explore treatment solutions by visiting our detailed sinusitis treatments page.

Allergic Rhinitis vs. Sinusitis: How to Tell the Difference

Here’s a simple comparison to help you distinguish between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis:

Symptom	Allergic Rhinitis	Sinusitis
Nasal Discharge	Thin, clear mucus	Thick, cloudy yellow or green mucus
Itchiness	Common (eyes, nose, throat)	Absent
Facial Pain and Pressure	Rare	Common (pain often radiates into upper teeth)
Fever	Absent	Often present
Duration	Fluctuates with exposure	Symptoms constant, worsening over days

Understanding these differences can help you find relief faster and seek appropriate care.

The Link Between Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Sinusitis

Many people in Jacksonville get stuck in a frustrating cycle: untreated allergies cause chronic nasal and sinus inflammation, which can lead to frequent sinus infections. Allergic rhinitis can cause persistent swelling in your nasal passages, blocking sinuses and preventing normal drainage. This blockage creates ideal conditions for recurrent sinus infections, known as chronic sinusitis.

Why Chronic Sinusitis Matters

Chronic sinusitis not only diminishes quality of life but can also lead to more serious complications, including infections that spread to other parts of the face or even the brain. By addressing allergies proactively, you can significantly reduce your risk of chronic sinusitis.

Why an Allergist May Be the Right Specialist

While ENT surgeons specialize in treating sinus infections directly—often through medications or surgery—a board-certified allergist identifies and manages the underlying allergic triggers causing recurrent sinusitis.

Identify your specific allergies through comprehensive allergy testing so that you can better avoid the triggers.
Provide personalized and targeted treatments to reduce your body’s allergic response.
Help prevent future sinus infections by reducing allergic inflammation of the nose and sinuses.
This comprehensive approach addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.

ENT vs. Allergist: Choosing the Right Specialist for Sinus Relief

When dealing with persistent nasal symptoms, it’s common for Jacksonville residents to feel unsure about whether they need an ENT doctor or an allergist. Both specialists play vital roles in managing sinus and nasal issues, but they address these problems differently.

An ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist primarily focuses on structural issues, infections, and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. They’re typically your first call when you have a severe sinus infection, need a surgical procedure, or suspect issues such as nasal polyps or anatomical blockages.

Allergists, on the other hand, specialize in identifying the specific triggers that cause allergic reactions, with the goal of preventing them from occurring. They also offer treatments designed to reduce the immune system’s sensitivity to those allergens. At Jax Allergy, our board-certified allergists pinpoint the underlying allergic triggers—such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander—that may be causing chronic nasal inflammation and leading to recurrent sinus infections. Rather than simply managing the symptoms or treating infections after they occur, allergists use advanced testing and treatments like allergy immunotherapy to proactively manage your allergies and prevent future sinus issues.

To better understand which specialist is right for your specific symptoms, explore our detailed guide on choosing between an allergist or ENT.

Diagnosis and Treatment at Jax Allergy

Our expert allergists begin with a thorough consultation and physical examination. Allergy testing is essential to pinpoint specific triggers and develop a tailored treatment plan.

Treatment options for allergic rhinitis include:

Antihistamines: Immediate relief from allergy symptoms.
Nasal corticosteroid sprays: Reduce inflammation in nasal passages.
Decongestants: Provide temporary relief from congestion.
Allergy shots (immunotherapy): Offer long-term relief by gradually reducing sensitivity to allergens.

Proper allergy management can significantly decrease the frequency and severity of sinus infections, improving your quality of life dramatically.

If you’re ready to find lasting relief from allergies and sinus issues, our friendly team of board-certified allergists at Jax Allergy is here to help. Our Jacksonville allergy and asthma specialists bring extensive experience and personalized care to every patient, ensuring you get the treatment plan that’s right for your needs. We’re committed to helping you breathe easier and live better!

When to See a Doctor

It’s time to consult a specialist if you experience:

Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
High fever accompanying sinus symptoms
Symptoms that worsen despite over-the-counter medications
Frequent sinus infections (several times per year)

Don’t Ignore Persistent Symptoms

Ignoring ongoing symptoms can lead to chronic conditions that are harder to manage. Proactive care ensures you remain healthy and comfortable year-round.

Take Control of Your Sinus Health

Correct diagnosis is critical. By understanding the difference between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, you can escape the frustrating cycle of recurrent sinus issues. If you’re tired of seasonal misery and suspect allergies might be to blame, the allergists at Jax Allergy can provide the clarity and relief you deserve.

Schedule a consultation today and start breathing easier.

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