Allergies vs. cold symptoms. 2 indicators may tell you what you have
It’s that terrible time of year again: spring allergy season.
As pollen moves through the air this spring, many people are experiencing allergic reactions. However, this reaction can be very similar to cold symptoms. So how do you tell the difference?
Here’s how to differentiate between allergies and a cold.
Allergies and colds
Different factors cause allergies and colds. Pollen allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to an allergen, in this case pollen. A cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. According to the Cleveland Clinic.
Allergies and cold symptoms
The symptoms of respiratory viruses and allergies are very similar.
“Your nose is running, your eyes are watering, you feel bad.” Dr. Stephen Feaginssaid Hamilton County Public Health medical director. A test can help you distinguish whether your symptoms are caused by allergies or a virus. For example, you can take a COVID test or a flu test.
The common cold is more difficult to define because it is defined by its symptoms, which can resemble seasonal allergy symptoms.
However, there are still those who differ. According to Feagins, unlike viruses, allergens usually do not cause fever or cough.
Can allergies cause cough?
Even though pollen itself doesn’t cause coughing, allergy-related symptoms can happen, Feagins said. However, it tends to be a very specific type of cough caused by postnasal drip.
Your body’s response to pollen can cause mucus to build up in your nose. When this drips down the back of your throat, it’s called postnasal drainage. This can irritate your throat and cause a chronic cough that is often more bothersome at night. According to the Cleveland Clinic. Postnasal drainage may also cause the urge to clear your throat.
How to treat cough associated with allergies
You can treat postnasal drip and its effects by using a nasal spray. Cough caused by postnasal drainage typically won’t respond to cough suppressants, Feagins said.
Pollen can also cause allergic asthma. Symptoms include wheezing and feeling short of breath. This is treated with an inhaler.
You can get the same treatments even if you have a cough caused by a virus, Feagins said.
After all, you can still treat your symptoms even if you’re not exactly sure what’s causing them.
“Most of medicine, you’re not exactly sure what it is,” he said, “but we figure it out.”
This article first appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Allergies and colds. 2 symptoms that may tell you what you have
