Fall Allergies or a Cold? How to Tell the Difference
The spring season is typically associated with allergies, but the fall can also pack quite the punch. Millions of Americans are feeling crummy these days. How do you know if what you are dealing with is run-of-the-mill fall allergies, the common cold, or something more serious? Here are a few things to keep in mind during this sniffly and sneezy time of the year.
Fall Allergies Symptoms and Treatments
This is the time of the year when it can be hard to distinguish between fall allergies and the start of cold and flu season. Some people simply start to feel stuffy due to the dramatic temperature swings that mark this time of the year. The constant shift from the heat to the cold temperatures can also aggravate existing symptoms.
The real double-whammy happens when you happen to catch a cold on top of the everyday allergies. Multiple illnesses combining can put a serious strain on the respiratory system, making it difficult to breathe.
Most fall allergies are triggered by pollen or mold. The body's immune system senses the allergen, eliciting the reaction. Some of the most common fall allergy symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, postnasal drip, itchy or watery eyes, sore throat, and a mild cough.
The best way to treat fall allergies is to limit outdoor exposure, particularly during times when pollen levels are high. Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines are also highly effective in some cases.
How a Cold Differs from Allergies
Symptoms of the common cold are remarkably similar to fall allergies. However, most people tend to have a harsher and more persistent cough when a cold is to blame compared to allergies. A cold is also more likely to cause mild fatigue and body aches.
Because the symptoms are so hit and miss with a cold, it is often better to seek a medication geared toward treating that specific ailment. For example, nasal congestion is best treated with pseudoephedrine or topical intranasal oxymetazoline. Dextromethorphan or honey is the best line of defense for a cough. Fever and general aches and pains can be treated with either acetaminophen or NSAIDs.
While most people with a cold recover on their own, it is a good idea to see a healthcare provider if symptoms last for more than 10 days and you do not find relief from over-the-counter medications. Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water and other hydrating fluids is the best course of treatment for a cold.
And if all of that trouble were not enough, you also have to try to discern if what is ailing you could be the flu or COVID-19. Both COVID-19 and the flu are on the uptick across the U.S. these days, putting them into play as possibilities when you feel under the weather. A fever is rarely associated with allergies or a cold, making this symptom a sign that something more serious is at play.
Unlike the common cold and allergies, there are diagnostic tests that you can use to rule either of these illnesses out. Most pharmacies will carry these tests, making it easy and affordable to test in the comfort of your own home. In addition, both the flu and COVID-19 have treatments that have been shown to reduce the duration and the severity of the symptoms, making it a good idea to test if you feel as if either of these is a possibility.
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