Dr. Manish Khanna, an Otolaryngologist at Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, said that allergies and sinus infections are often interconnected, as allergy flare-ups can directly trigger sinus infections. This statement was made during a clinic-recorded interview.
"I believe that patients will at times come to our office and basically look at both of those entities, sinus infections and allergy conditions, as separate entities when they're really intertwined," said Manish Khanna, according to Instagram. "It is common for allergy exacerbations to be a common trigger for sinus infections. They're not two separate entities—they're two separate diagnoses, but they both work together to cause issues with patients."
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, allergic reactions can lead to inflammation and blockage of the sinus passages, increasing the risk of bacterial and viral sinus infections. Sinus disease often develops when the lining of the nose and sinuses swells from allergic irritation or infection.
A review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that patients with allergic rhinitis are significantly more likely to develop chronic rhinosinusitis due to persistent nasal inflammation and mucosal barrier dysfunction. The study highlights how allergic responses can be a key driver in the progression of sinus disease.
For patients whose allergy-related sinus issues become chronic, minimally invasive treatments such as balloon sinuplasty can restore normal sinus drainage and reduce inflammation without traditional surgery. This procedure is performed in-office and offers a short recovery period with lasting relief for many patients.
Khanna is a board-certified Otolaryngologist who earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and an M.D. from Albany Medical College in 2002. He completed his residency and chief residency at Albany Medical Center, followed by a Rhinology and Advanced Endoscopic Sinus Surgery fellowship at the California Sinus Institute. Capitol Breathe Free, where he practices, has locations in Arlington and Woodbridge, Virginia, specializing in minimally invasive sinus and allergy care.
Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers operates locations in Arlington and Woodbridge, Virginia, specializing in treating chronic sinus and allergy conditions. Using advanced technologies such as balloon sinuplasty and diagnostic imaging, the clinic provides minimally invasive and personalized care plans designed to address both structural and allergic causes of sinus disease.
