What doctor should I see for sinus problems?

Question

Can I see an allergist that also specialises in sinus problems or should I see an ENT? I have a sinus problem/infection that is lasting over a month on antibiotics.

My GP referred me to an ENT in their clinic but I can't get an appointment until mid April.
This started last August and I treated it some then let it go away on its own. It came back in November I treated it for a week. It went away and it came back in mid January and I have had it ever since. I have tried several different antibiotics and decongestants, etc.

Answer 1

ENT's do treat sinus infections and allergies. They will administer allergy shots if needed and they also can perform sinus surgeries, etc.

Answer 2

You should see the doctor and then he will send you to an specialist. A person should call a doctor when experiencing pain or pressure in the upper face accompanied by nasal congestion or discharge, postnasal drip, or ongoing bad breath that is unrelated to dental problems.
Fever can be a symptom of a sinus infection or a cold. A person experiencing simple congestion with a low-grade fever probably has a cold and may not need special medications or antibiotics. Those also experiencing facial pain or headaches may have a sinus infection.
A doctor often can treat simple sinusitis. If left undiagnosed and untreated, though, complications of sinusitis can occur that may lead to severe medical problems and possibly death. The following complications are medical emergencies and require immediate treatment in a hospital's emergency department.
Headache, fever, and soft tissue swelling over the frontal sinus may indicate an infection of the frontal bone, called Pott puffy tumor or osteomyelitis.
Infection of the eye socket may result from ethmoid sinusitis. The eyelid may swell and become droopy. Fever and severe illness are usually present. A person with this infection may lose the ability to move the eye, and permanently blindness may result.
Ethmoid or frontal sinusitis may also cause the formation of a blood clot in the sinus area around the front and top of the face. Symptoms may be similar to those of eye socket infection with the addition of a fixed and dilated pupil. This condition usually affects both sides of the face.
If a person experiences mild personality changes, headache, altered consciousness, visual problems, or seizures, infection may have spread to the brain. Coma and even death may follow.

Answer 3

Hi I had a very similar experience that started about 3 years ago - and to this day after lots of tests no-one is really sure what is wrong. I was diagnosed with sinusitis and it seems that once you have had it once you can get quite often! I use Flixonase - I was given it by the doctor as it is a spray meant for hay fever but it calms the inflammation in your nose down - it works for me when I have a flair up - but it takes a few days. I kept on at the doctor and had a lot of tests done - you really need to know whether you have an infection in your sinuses that isn't clearing up - it is hard to clear infections up in your sinuses. I was also asked whether the infection was entering my sinuses via one of my teeth on that side of my face - because the roots are so close to the sinus tubes - I had my teeth X-rayed at the dentist as it will show up if there is a problem. I know how you feel - keep on at the doctor to see if you can resolve it - I wish you luck. ktms

Answer 4

if you have ongoing problems then ask your gp for a referral to a specialist, you are right in that it should be an ENT or an allergy specialist, if this the first time it happened wait and see how you are after this infection has been cleared, it may be a one off

Answer 5

doctor sinus problems

Answer 6

SEE A ENT DOCTOR FIRST ..THEN SEE A ALLERGIST DOCTOR ..I WOULD SEE BOTH AND GET OPINIONS FROM TWO DIFFERENT DOCTORS .JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE!