Many people suspect they have allergies and other sinus conditions, but they don't realize the ramifications of waiting too long to seek treatment.

Waiting can often make things worse, Dr. Monty Trimble, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, told the Lone Star Standard.

"Unfortunately, a lot of times, people wait long enough to where it's very hard to reverse the changes that occur inside of the sinuses. That's why it's so important for people to address exposure-related issues," Trimble said. "Allergens can be a big a big part of that."

Dr. Monty Trimble | Dallas Breathe Free

Patients should also remember that a visit to the doctor can rule out more serious conditions.

Allergies and nasal obstructions together can make for one miserable patient.

More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). Pet allergies can contribute to persistent cold-like symptoms, which can be very similar to seasonal conditions or even more severe sinus conditions. Those symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and facial pain due to nasal congestion.

Chronic sinusitis in adults is most often linked to nasal swelling, which can cause facial pain and is caused by allergens, according to Harvard University Medical Center.

As many as 30% of U.S. residents with allergies are allergic to cats and dogs, with reactions to cats being twice as common as reactions to dogs, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

The National Institute of Health and Science (NIEHS) reports that more than half of U.S. households have a dog, a cat or both, which means exposure to pet allergens is very common.

Selecting a hypoallergenic pet is of little help because the existence of "hypoallergenic pets" is a myth, and there is no true "allergy safe" pet, according to the Mayo Clinic. The NIEHS has backed up those findings, saying that even hairless cats and dogs can trigger allergies. A 2011 study published by the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy found that the level of dog allergens in homes with hypoallergenic dogs was no different than the level in homes with other types of dogs.

Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers has locations in Fort Worth and Irving, Texas. If you're interested in evaluating your sinus or allergy symptoms and are considering seeing a doctor, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.