Do I have a cold or are my allergies flaring up?
Posted in Allergies on January 26, 2011
It’s often very difficult to tell the difference between a cold and a flare-up of allergies, primarily because of the large overlap of symptoms. Even though both conditions make people sick and miserable, it's important to try to differentiate between the two, because the treatment can vary. First of all, the symptoms that overlap between the two include congestion and runny nose. While it's true that nasal allergies tend to produce clear nasal drainage and a cold (technically a viral rhinosinusitis) tends to cause discolored mucous drainage, this is not always the case. Fevers, muscle aches, cough, and fatigue are characteristic of colds, whereas itchy eyes, watery eyes, and sneezing are typically allergy symptoms. Symptoms that occur at similar time periods every year are indicative of seasonal allergies; however, perennial allergies such as dust mite or animal dander allergies will produce symptoms year-round.
The treatment for viral rhinosinusitis is primarily symptomatic relief- mucolytics help thin nasal and throat secretions, decongestions help open up breathing passageways, and anti-inflammatory medications help with fever and body aches. Hydration is very important in helping the body to recover from a viral illness. When cold-like symptoms persist for 10 days or longer, or if the nasal symptoms are accompanied by worsening facial pain, pressure, and headaches, it's likely that the viral Rhinosinusitis has become a bacterial infection, and a visit to your physician is recommended for possible antibiotic therapy.
The treatment of nasal allergies is varied. Symptomatic relief includes decongestants and mucolytics, same as viral illnesses. The primary treatment for symptoms for allergies, however, are antihistamines, which stop the body from producing the allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, watery eyes, runny nose, and congestion. Nasal and oral steroids are another class of medications that help prevent as well as treat allergy symptoms. Avoidance and minimization of exposure to known allergy triggers are another treatment strategy. Minimizing outdoor time when pollen counts are very high, maintaining a clean heating/ air conditioning/ home ventilation system, avoiding exposure to animals that are known to cause symptoms, removing carpet and drapes that trap dust, and having homes treated for mold growth are some of the options available for reducing allergen exposure. Allergy immunotherapy, a process where allergy patients receive weekly allergy shots to desensitize the body to allergens, is another potential treatment strategy for those patients who have failed medical management.
Here at NWFace, we offer comprehensive allergy testing and either subcutaneous (weekly shots) and sublingual (self-administered drops placed under the tongue) immunotherapy to individuals with positive allergy tests and corresponding allergy complaints on history and physical exam.
Sincerely,
Nilesh Shah, M.D.