November 13, 2026 · ✓ Medically Reviewed by Apex Clinical Team
A blocked or runny nose, facial pressure, reduced sense of smell and headache after a spell of poor air quality are often due to irritated nasal passages, allergy or sinusitis. Most cases improve within two to three weeks with saline rinses, steam and avoiding triggers. See an ENT specialist if symptoms last more than three weeks, keep coming back, or are severe — and get emergency care for swelling around the eye, changes in vision, a severe headache, stiff neck or confusion.
Hebbal and North Bengaluru's latest air-quality spike
After the three days of Deepavali in November 2026, Bengaluru's average air quality index (AQI) peaked at 141 ("moderate"), compared with 98 ("satisfactory") in 2025 — a rise of nearly 44%. Hebbal recorded an AQI of 184, one of the city's worst hotspots alongside Central Silk Board (187). The main pollutants were PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, followed by carbon monoxide (Times of India).
Air pollution is a year-round issue too. The World Health Organization says that in 2019, 99% of the world's population lived in places where WHO air-quality guideline levels were not met, and outdoor air pollution caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths that year (WHO). For people in Hebbal, Yelahanka and along the airport corridor, traffic, construction dust and seasonal smoke all add up.
How polluted air affects your nose and sinuses
Your nose filters and humidifies the air you breathe. Fine particles and irritant gases can:
- inflame the lining of the nose and sinuses
- slow down the tiny hairs (cilia) that clear mucus
- trigger allergic reactions in people with allergic rhinitis
- make it easier for a viral cold to turn into sinusitis
People with allergies, asthma, a deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps often notice symptoms first.
Sinusitis vs allergy vs common cold
| Feature | Sinusitis | Allergic rhinitis | Common cold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main symptoms | Blocked nose, facial pain or pressure, thick discharge, reduced smell | Sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, clear watery discharge | Sore throat, runny nose, mild fever, cough |
| Facial pain | Common (cheeks, forehead, around eyes) | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| Itching | Rare | Typical | Rare |
| Fever | Sometimes | No | Sometimes, mild |
| Duration | Usually 2–3 weeks; chronic if over 12 weeks | As long as exposure continues; seasonal or year-round | 7–10 days |
| Triggers | Often follows a cold; pollution, allergy | Dust, pollen, pollution, pets | Virus |
| First steps | Saline rinse, steam, painkillers, see ENT if persistent | Avoid triggers; doctor may advise antihistamine or nasal spray | Rest, fluids |
Sources: NHS – sinusitis, NHS – allergic rhinitis, NHS – common cold.
Simple steps on high-AQI days
- Check the AQI before going out, and limit outdoor exercise when it is poor.
- Wear a well-fitting mask (N95 or equivalent) in heavy traffic or near construction.
- Keep windows closed during peak traffic and smoky evenings; use an air purifier if you have one.
- Rinse your nose with saline once or twice a day — use sterile or boiled-and-cooled water.
- Steam inhalation can ease congestion; take care with hot water around children.
- Drink plenty of water to keep mucus thin.
- Don't overuse decongestant nasal sprays — using them for more than a few days can make blockage worse.
When to see an ENT specialist
Book an appointment with an ENT doctor if you have:
- symptoms that last more than three weeks, or improve and then get worse
- repeated sinus infections (several times a year)
- a nose that is blocked on one side all the time
- loss of smell that doesn't come back
- nosebleeds that keep recurring
- snoring or mouth-breathing that is new or worsening
- symptoms not helped by allergy treatment
An ENT specialist may examine the inside of your nose with a thin camera (nasal endoscopy) and may suggest a CT scan of the sinuses if needed. Treatment may include medicated nasal sprays, allergy management, a short course of other medicines where appropriate and, for some long-standing problems such as polyps or a deviated septum, surgery.
When it's an emergency
Go to the emergency department straight away if you have:
- swelling or redness around the eye
- double vision, reduced vision or difficulty moving the eye
- a severe headache, stiff neck or high fever
- confusion or unusual drowsiness
- swelling of the forehead
These can be signs that an infection is spreading beyond the sinuses.
Children and older adults
Children's sinuses are still developing, so symptoms can look like a long cold, cough at night or bad breath. Older adults and people with diabetes or weakened immunity may have more severe infections. If in doubt, see a doctor.
How we can help
The ENT department at Apex Multispeciality Hospital treats sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal blockage and recurrent infections. If you have cough, wheeze or breathlessness on bad-air days, our Pulmonology team can help, and children can be seen by Paediatrics.
Contact us to book an ENT consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can air pollution cause sinusitis?
Polluted air can irritate and inflame the lining of the nose and sinuses and slow mucus clearance, which can trigger or worsen sinus symptoms, especially in people with allergies or asthma.
How do I know if I have sinusitis or an allergy?
Itching, sneezing and clear watery discharge suggest allergy. Facial pain or pressure, thick discharge and reduced smell are more typical of sinusitis. An ENT specialist can confirm the cause.
How long does sinusitis last?
Acute sinusitis usually clears within two to three weeks. Symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks are called chronic sinusitis and should be assessed by an ENT specialist.
Is saline nasal rinse safe?
Yes, for most people, when done with sterile, distilled or boiled-and-cooled water and a clean device. It helps clear mucus and irritants. Ask your doctor about rinsing for young children.
Where can I see an ENT specialist near Hebbal and Yelahanka?
Apex Multispeciality Hospital on Bellahalli Main Road, Yelahanka, Sathanur has an ENT department. Call +91-80-29918321 to book an appointment.
Contact Apex Multispeciality Hospital, Yelahanka
Apex Multispeciality Hospital, Bellahalli Main Road, Near Reva University, Yelahanka, Sathanur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064.
- Emergency: +91-80-29917805
- Appointments: +91-80-29918321
- WhatsApp: +91 82964 22571
- Contact us and directions
In a life-threatening emergency, call 112 (national emergency number) or 108 (ambulance) and go to the nearest emergency department.
Reviewed by the Apex clinical team. This article is for general health information and is not a substitute for a consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified doctor. If you think you or someone with you is having a medical emergency, call 112 or 108 immediately.
