Those who suffer from chronic sinus disease may have their allergies to blame, according to a new study.

According to research found in the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, when patients with chronic sinus disease were exposed to allergens, their symptoms got worse. X-ray and ultrasound images revealed that allergies might be to blame for the condition.

Of the 71 patients who were exposed to allergens, 67 developed positive nasal responses, which resulted in dramatic changes when X-rays and ultrasounds examined their passages. There was no change when patients were exposed to saline control tests.

The researchers indicated that while there have been previous studies focusing on the roles of allergies in other sinus disease, there was still a need for research on the chronic form.

“The possible involvement of allergy, and especially of nasal allergy, in some forms of sinus disease has already been reported in the literature,” wrote Dr. Zdenek Pelikan. “There are a number of anatomic and physiologic similarities between the nasal mucosa and mucosa of the maxillary sinuses.”

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