Allergies or Cold?

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Allergies or Cold?

Allergies or Cold? How to Tell the Difference. When spring rolls around, a lot of us start to feel all stuffed up and sneezy. It’s like our noses just won’t stop running! These symptoms are often seen in cases of both colds and allergies fever. But how can we tell the difference? And what do we really need to know about seasonal allergies? Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is when your nose gets all runny and sneezy because of tiny pollen particles from plants like trees, grasses, and weeds. Did you know that about 18% of people in Europe have allergic rhinitis? It’s a pretty common problem for a lot of people.

When you have allergies sometimes it’s not just pollen, that can make your nose runny and your eyes itchy. Other things in the air, like dust or pet dander, can also cause allergic rhinitis. But when people talk about hay fever, they usually mean pollen as the main thing that triggers those annoying symptoms. Different plants bloom in different seasons, so there is a clear seasonality to this condition. Such as spring to summer,” said Dr. Steven Miller, MD, Allergist-Clinical Immunologist.
Most often, the reaction to inhaled allergens begins to develop between 3 and 5 years of age children. But pollen allergy can develop at any stage of life. According to the doctor, the explanation for this is not completely clear.
It is easy to confuse with a viral infection

How to tell the difference

Getting hit with a case of allergies, or a cold is definitely no fun. Allergy symptoms can include sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose, while cold symptoms may involve fever, coughing, and fatigue. One key difference between the two is that allergies tend to last longer than a typical cold. On the other hand, catching a cold means dealing with symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing. Both conditions can make you feel pretty miserable and uncomfortable.

Typical symptoms of allergies fever:

Sneeze / wheezing

Itchy nose/eyes

Runny nose (especially watery)

Redness of both eyes

Watery eyes

Nasal congestion

According to the specialist, those symptoms often start suddenly and at the beginning of the disease it is easy to confuse them with a simple viral infection. An allergist advises, to always pay attention to whether the symptoms tend to recur at a similar time. For example: every spring from the beginning of March to May, a person feels these symptoms and then everything seems to go away.

In Order to distinguish an allergy from a cold, several conditions can be compared

Duration: Colds usually last 5-10 days, allergies vary, may last several months or keep recurring.

Season: Colds are most common in the winter, but they can happen at any time of year. Allergies, on the other hand, can strike at any time, but they tend to be worse during the spring when flowers are blooming, and in the fall when the seasons are changing. thrush or cold

Symptoms: When you have a cold, your nose feels all stuffed up and you might have a runny nose that’s like water. You might sneeze a lot, but not in big bursts. Your sense of smell might go away too. But if you have allergies, your nose will run a lot with watery snot, and you’ll probably sneeze a bunch. Your eyes might get itchy, red, and watery too. And sometimes your nose might feel all blocked up.

Tests and specific treatment

Dr. S. Miller an allergy doctor says, that to figure out if you have allergies that cause a runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes they might do tests. Like poking your skin with allergens or checking your blood for specific antibodies, that react to allergens. These tests help doctors figure out what’s making you feel all stuffy and sneezy.

When you get a test done to see if you’re allergic to something, it doesn’t always mean you have an allergy. It just shows how your body reacts to it. Sometimes they do a different kind of test, that can confirm if you have an allergy for sure. If you have allergies fever, they usually give you antihistamines to help with the symptoms. But there’s also a treatment called allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT), that can help your body get used to pollen, so it doesn’t bother you as much in the future. Colds and allergy symptoms can be similar but have different causes.

So, like, this treatment can last for a few years, usually 3-5, and the doctor will figure out how long based on how well it’s helping you, according to the allergist S. Miller. Here are some tips to help you relax and deal with those annoying hay fever symptoms: first things first, figure out what allergens (like pollen) you’re sensitive to.

How can I lower my risk

It is possible to monitor the concentration of pollen in the air (there are special websites or apps). When there is a lot off pollen, try not to be outside.

After being outside – wash your face

Wear protective face masks – they will reduce pollen entering the respiratory tract.

At home – do not keep windows open or use a protective net to keep pollen out of the room.

Regardless of which one you’re dealing with, staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding triggers can help alleviate your discomfort and speed up recovery. So next time you’re sniffling and sneezing, pay attention to your symptoms to determine whether it’s allergies or a pesky cold causing you grief.

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