Cold vs. Allergies: What’s the Difference?

.

Ladies and gentlemen, summer is finally here! It's time to throw off those sweaters, trade those pants for shorts, and bask in the sun's warm glow. Are you starting feeling  chilly, right now? It could be from that dip in the pool or it could a tell-tale sign of seasonal flu.

While most colds and flus occur during the winter months, it's possible to get them in the summer. One explanation for summer colds is the change in climate, but that ignores other factors. Outdoor pollen could be triggering your allergies.

Whatever the cause may be, this article will go through some shared cold and allergy symptoms to determine what ails you and how you can treat it.

Itching Eyes

When spending time outdoors, it's expected to get some bits of dust and dirt caught in your eyelids. The itchiness is caused by the body's natural function to sweep out that dirt by building up mucus. If itching continues after the debris is removed, then you may be having an allergic reaction.

Itching sensations are often an early sign of eczema, a skin condition that can form around the eyes. Consult a doctor and ask if you might need eye drops. Washing your face with soap and warm water might also do a bit of good.

Sore Throat

A sore throat is the earliest, and most frustrating, phase of the common cold. Most sore throats are a form of post nasal drip that lasts 4 to 15 days, at most. Scratchy or dry throats are usually a symptom of hay fever.

Depending on your body's sensitivity, over-the-counter cold remedies such as severe strength cough syrup can cut a sore throat's duration to one or two days. Seek medical advice if inflammation persists.

Runny Nose

When people tell you to let a cold run its course, they're probably referring to a runny nose. Running noses usually come after the sore throat phase of a cold. Excessive sneezing, sniffing, and nose blowing are just necessary inconveniences that help you drain the infection from your system.

How you determine if your runny nose is flu or allergy related is in the mucus itself. Milky, green mucus is indicative of the common cold. Clear or watery discharge is the result of allergies. Yellowed snot may be a sign of a nasal infection caused by allergies.

Queasiness

Upset stomachs are not one of the typical cold symptoms, but some metabolisms may experience them. Viral infections of the ear, nose, and throat have a way of spreading to the bowels, causing diarrhea. Infants and young children with colds experience this due to their undeveloped immune systems.

Any sort of queasiness may also be adverse reaction to medications you are taking. Before taking any medicine or supplement, read the label carefully for allergen information or sensitivity. You should also monitor your diet by cutting out food stuffs that might trigger an allergic reaction.

Conclusion

Telling the difference between a cold and allergies can be quite difficult, considering that allergies can develop at later age. If your allergies do develop later in life, it might be keen to find out what triggers your allergies and adjust your lifestyle to cope. for example, finding a realtor in New Jersey to move to the city away from hey allergies might be ideal if you live in a rural area. Be sure to consult a doctor.