How can I tell whether I am experiencing allergies, or a sinus infection?

My head hurts, it feels like there is a lot of pressure and some light headedness. My eyes are burning and I'm having trouble focusing them, my nose burns and I'm sneezing a lot. If it weren't for all the pressure I am feeling I would assume allergies (I am allergic to dust) But I've never felt a pressure build up with allergies before. What is the best OTC allergy medication to take? I used to use flonase but its been a long time since I've needed anything.

Allergy symptoms are often very similar to cold virus symptoms and bacterial sinus infection symptoms. Here are some ways to tell the difference.

Allergies: runny eyes, runny nose, sneezing
Cold virus: runny nose, sneezing, congestion, fatigue
Bacterial sinus infection: fever, sinus pain, headache fatigue, congestion, colorful nasal discharge

However, these can all overlap, and sometimes you can have a cold that progresses to a bacterial infection, for example. If you are having pressure build up, it may just be due to the congestion from allergies. You could try a saline nasal rinse like Netipot, or you could try pseudoephedrine for congestion. As for the OTC allergy medications, Claritin and Zyrtec are both over the counter, and work about the same in most people. The generic versions (loratadine or cetirizine) are just as good, and a lot cheaper. But beware of higher priced prescription medications which are not much better but just a whole lot more expensive. (like Clarinex, Xyzal, and Veramyst). Here is some more information about those: http://holisticprescription.blogspot.com...

Let's just say this. A sinus infection is hell. If you're just sneezing a lot etc... you probably are getting a cold.

Take some sudafed and be sure you're not blowing green snot. Once that happens and you lymph nodes swell up quite a bit, then you've got a sinus infection. Trust me, you'll feel a lot worse.

My husband uses this to keep from getting bronchitis when he gets a sinus infection, and I use it to cure sinus infections. THere are many kinds of bacteria that live in the sinuses, and this gets rid of all the bad ones!.This is the only thing that really helped me --- my Dr. told me about a sinus wash that will kill bacteria.
you need

distilled water
sea salt
liquid chlorophyll and colloidal silver from the health food store.
in a glass mix 1/4 cup water with a pinch of salt and heat to body temperature.
add 5 drops each silver and chlorophyll and mix.
using a large dropper (like one used for infant medication) drop 2 full droppersfull into one side of the nose while laying down.
Turn the head and let it drain out the other nostril. Be sure to have paper towels handy. or just use a neti pot, I like this better.
The silver kills the bacteria and there are several hundred kind that can live in the sinus cavities and anti biotics don't get rid of them all.
Do this twice a day for a week, mixing up the mixture fresh each time.
Then do it once a week for maintenance.
There is nothing in this that will hurt you, and it cured me.
I do not have to take claritin, or antibiotics anymore.
best wishes