Dr. Agustin Arrieta, Otolaryngologist with Baptist Health South Florida, explains there is a component of sinusitis that would be considered genetic. You can inherit a propensity for allergies from your parents, and if you have allergies, they can produce inflammation, which can obstruct your sinuses.

He also says another cause is environmental: “If you are allergic to pine trees, and you move to a homestead surrounded by pine trees, you are going to be predisposed to having inflammation in your nose from the exposure.”