Column May 7, 2025
The Link Between Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis
Hyo-seop Kim
Chief Director
Table of Contents
Rhinitis has progressed to sinusitis
When allergic rhinitis persists, swelling of the nasal mucosa blocks the natural openings of the sinuses, allowing mucus to pool inside the sinuses and become infected with bacteria. Yellowish nasal discharge, facial pressure, headaches around the forehead and cheeks, post-nasal drip, and reduced sense of smell are characteristic features.
Korean medicine diagnosis: wind-heat invading the lungs (風熱犯肺) with phlegm-heat (痰熱)
- Acute sinusitis: yellow purulent discharge, headache, fever → Biyeon-bang (鼻淵方) and Changijja-san (蒼耳子散)
- Chronic sinusitis: nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, reduced smell → Bojungikgi-tang combined with sinus-clearing herbs
- Allergy-based: sneezing and clear discharge as the underlying pattern → Socheongryong-tang combined with Biyeon-bang
Acupuncture and nasal care
- Yingxiang (LI20) and Shang Yingxiang (Extra): Improve blood flow around the sinuses and open drainage pathways
- Yintang (Extra): Relieves frontal sinus (forehead) headache
- Nasal irrigation: Use saline with a powered irrigator to flush purulent secretions from the sinuses
Preventing rhinitis from progressing to sinusitis
- Treat rhinitis early when symptoms first appear — chronic cases progress to sinusitis
- Blow your nose one nostril at a time and gently — forceful blowing pushes secretions back into the sinuses
- Avoid frequent unnecessary antibiotic use — risk of resistant bacteria