Have Dark Circles Around Eye, Blocked Nose And Breathing Difficulty. Allergy Or Sinus Problem?

Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 Answered on

Tue, 21 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : im finding it hard to breathe and have dark circles under my eyes, one nostril is completely blocked!! I have no energy yet can't sleep because it becomes harder to breathe lying down, do u think this is caused by an allergy? Sinus problems?

Answered by Dr. Naveen (9 hours later)

Hi

Thanks for posting the query

With this brief history, I do feel you could be suffering from 'allergic rhinitis' associated with or without deviated nasal septum. The dark circles around the eyes could be due to lack of sleep.

I doubt any sinusitis at this stage. Sinusitis is characterized by nasal block, headache, discharge from the nose, cough, etc.

My suggestions to you is to consult a good ENT specialist and get yourself examined. Meanwhile you can try the following:

1. Use saline nasal spray followed by steam inhalation 3-4 times a day.

2. A steroid nasal spray (such as fluticasone or momentasone) will be beneficial in relieving the block and the allergic symptoms.

3. Avoid sleeping under the fan or in front of the air conditioner.

4. Change the pillow cover every night before going to bed.

5. If you are having sneezing or running nose you can take an antihistaminic (loratidine or fexofenadine).

Hope with these measures you should be alright. Revert back to me if you have any further queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar