Is it safe to get sinus surgery for allergic rhinitis?

Sinus surgery: Sinus surgery generally not needed for allergic rhinitis unless there is secondary infection. Allergic rhinitis can be controlled most often with medications. Sometimes hypertrophic turbinates as a result of allergic rhinitis, can be cauterized or excised.

Surgery=no change AR: Allergies are caused by immunologic reactions your body has to foreign proteins, or less commonly, carbohydrates in your environment. Cutting out the tissues that reacted will not stop the remaining tissue from being allergic. Treating allergies aggressively with immunotherapy will often decrease the swelling so you won't need surgery. Why not try this before operating? Sometimes both are needed.

Allergies / Surgery: I perform sinus surgery all the time for allergic rhinitis, especially if stuffy nose persists after a trial of allergy shots. Sinus surgery makes the holes bigger and often helps improve stuffy nose. However, surgery does not cure allergies. I tell me patients surgery is often a helpful part of treating allergies, but allergies are an immunologic phenomenon -- that cause swelling and plugging.

Maybe: If you have significant difficulty breathing despite steroid nasal sprays, nasal surgery to straighten a deviated septum and decrease swelling of the inferior turbinates could offer significant relief. Sinus surgery would be offer significant relief if you have nasal polyps due to allergy, or chronic sinusitis. Surgery in thes cases is usually done along with immunotherapy (shots or drops).

Yes: I agree with dr. Benda's comments except for one. There is no long-term proof that sublingual allergy drops are effective. The studies are of very poor quality and simply look at a single allergen. Anybody who sees an allergist who recommends sublingual allergy drops is not being honest with the patient. Why do you think insurance will not cover them? No scientific proof they are effective.