Sinus and Allergy Center in San Francisco, CA

Our Ear, Nose, & Throat doctors understand the complexities of diagnosing and treating sinus and allergy issues.

To successfully treat sinus problems, there are three factors that we evaluate, as each factor may influence sinus disease. Some or all of these factors may be contributing to your problem:

Structure. Utilizing on-site CT scanning and sinus telescopes, we can determine if the bone structure of your sinuses is contributing to your sinus disease. If this is the case, surgery or balloon sinuplasty may be able to correct the problem.

Allergy. Allergy testing may be conducted by our allergist to determine if inflammation associated with allergies is contributing to your sinus problems. Treatment may then involve avoidance of the allergy-inducing stimuli, allergy medication or immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops).

Infection. By conducting lab testing and cultures, we can investigate whether you require antibiotics, anti-fungal medication or immune deficiency supplementation to treat your sinus problems.

What are allergies?

Allergies are a form of hypersensitivity that trigger an inflammatory response to normally harmless environmental substances. They are associated with many disorders such as chronic sinusitis, post-nasal drip, and asthma.

An ENT allergist combines the expertise of sinus anatomy with the study of allergies, leading to more effective outcomes for the patient.

There are several types of allergy tests that can determine if your condition is the result of an allergic reaction. One method is the skin-prick method, where a small amount of the suspected allergen is placed on the skin; this method usually leaves patients very itchy and sometimes cannot be performed if the patient is on allergy medicine, has a rash, or active asthma. We offer the less-invasive blood testing method on-site. Our blood-based allergy test screens for 26 common food allergies and 36 environmental allergies, and results are usually available within a few days.

Allergy treatments include avoidance of allergens, medical therapy, immunotherapy, and dietary modification. Surgical procedures such as polyp removal, inferior turbinate reductions, sinus irrigation, and straightening of the nasal septum can increase the effectiveness of allergy treatment.

SF Institute of Sinus and Allergy Services: