Cold or Allergy?

During the fall, many patients suffer from congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and nasal itching. They might think they have a common cold, but some patients may actually be suffering from nasal allergy symptoms (also called allergic rhinitis or "hay fever").

Take this quiz to learn more!

For more information, please visit us at www.southbayallergy.com

Source: WebMD

Sinus infection, a cold, or allergies?

The phrase "I have sinus problems" has become so common, it is hard to know what it means.  Here are some tips to tell the difference between sinus pressure due to true sinus infection, a cold, or allergies:

SINUS INFECTION (BACTERIAL SINUSITIS):  This is a bacterial infection in the sinuses (which are areas behind the facial bones that should be filled with air).  Signs can range from a wet cough, thick mucus in the throat, discolored (green, yellow, brown or grey) mucus that persists for more than a week or progresses over that time, pain in the upper teeth or cheeks, tenderness between the eyes or a chronic headache, and nasal congestion -- especially if symptoms are on one side only.   Kids tend to cough or vomit mucus as their only symptom.

A COLD (VIRAL RESPIRATORY INFECTION):  Sometimes difficult to distinguish early on from a sinus infection, the tip offs are that multiple people in the household start with similar symptoms within a week of each other (viral infections spread easily), there is a worsening within a few days then gradual improvement, and there may be fever or muscle aches associated for one or two days.

NASAL ALLERGIES:  The biggest clue here is itching of the nose, eyes, ears, or throat.  Repeated sneezing is also more likely to be due to allergies but can happen with colds as well.  Runny nose is usually clear and watery, not discolored.  But congestion and headaches can be just as bad as with sinusitis or viral respiratory infections.

Treatment is different for each of the above, so it is important to make the distinction.  If you have persistent symptoms and need some help with figuring out the reasons, make an appointment and we'll do our best to help you!  Send us a message from our "contact us" page at southbayallergy. com.

How Can You Tell if It's a Cold or Allergies?

With more than 200 types of viruses circulating in the community, and lots of sharing going on (the kind you don't really want), we are seeing more stuffy noses, sneezing, and cough these days. But if you also have allergies, how can you be sure whether it is a cold or your allergies flaring? And when does it matter?

1. Does it itch?

If there is itching of the nose, throat, or eyes involved, you are more likely dealing with allergy symptoms. Remember the seasonal allergies that go with the holidays -- old decorations coming out of storage (along with dust and maybe a little mold), stagnant water at the base of a Christmas tree, dust blowing out of air ducts the first time the heater is turned on -- more exposure means more allergy symptoms.

2. Is there fever or muscle ache?

Respiratory infections can come with fever and other symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, or nonrespiratory symptoms such as stomachaches, nausea, or diarrhea. This is often the tip-off that the stuffy nose is not due to allergy this time.

3. Why does it matter?

If your symptoms are due to allergy, a few changes in the environment might be very helpful, like using a HEPA air filter, cleaning ducts, wearing a mask while moving old boxes out of storage; and your allergy medications are more likely to work for this type of problem.

If it is a respiratory infection, especially with thick or discolored mucus, it may be better to clear out secretions with a decongestant and expectorant, or salt water rinse of the nasal passages, rather than drying up secretions with an antihistamine.