Maryland State Wire

Pierre Daze, a physician assistant at Frederick Breathe Free, highlighted the intertwined nature of sinusitis and allergies, which complicates their distinction. He made this statement on Instagram on January 22.

"How does someone know if they have sinusitis or allergies? Usually the two can be intertwined," said Daze, according to Instagram. "Thinking of the relationship between the structure and then also how the body works with the allergies. It can be a little bit difficult to tease out, that's why we use our technology, Zorian skin testing, to try to figure that out. Most patients, when we check, a lot of them have an allergy to something so that's not surprising."

According to the National Library of Medicine, allergies can lead to sinusitis by causing inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages. This can block sinus openings and disrupt normal mucus drainage. When mucus is trapped, it creates an environment conducive to bacterial and viral growth, increasing infection risk. The connection between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis makes distinguishing between them challenging, as both conditions can cause similar symptoms such as nasal congestion, pressure, and headaches. Effective allergy management—through identifying triggers via testing and using treatments like antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids—can help reduce the risk of developing sinus infections.

A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that 64% of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) had an allergic response to at least one allergen compared to 22.4% in the general population. The most common allergens among CRS patients were Salsola (43%), tree mixtures (30%), and grasses (28%), indicating that allergic reactions significantly contribute to CRS development and exacerbation.

Minimally invasive procedures like ClariFix cryoablation offer new treatment options for vasomotor rhinitis and chronic sinus conditions. Dr. Jamie Oberman from Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers explained that ClariFix works by "freezing the posterior nasal nerve to address what's called vasomotor rhinitis, as well as allergic and nonallergic rhinitis." Oberman noted that there are now "three different approaches, all addressing the anatomy in the nose," allowing specialists to treat patients who fail or cannot tolerate medical management with simple in-office procedures that reduce morbidity.

Pierre Dazé is a certified physician assistant specializing in otolaryngology (ENT). He graduated from The George Washington University’s physician assistant program, where he was inducted into the Alpha Eta honors society. Before transitioning to ENT, he spent six years working in emergency departments across multiple hospitals. Fluent in American Sign Language, he welcomes patients from the Deaf community and is currently accepting new patients according to Frederick Breathe Free's website.

Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers specializes in diagnosing and treating chronic sinus and allergy conditions using advanced minimally invasive procedures. Their services include balloon sinuplasty, allergy testing, and immunotherapy aimed at providing long-term relief for patients with sinusitis and rhinitis. According to their website, the center focuses on patient-centered care by offering in-office treatments designed to reduce recovery time and improve quality of life.