You wake up and feel your fourth cold of the season coming on.
You’re tired, there’s a headache, and you can’t stop sniffling and sneezing.
Good news: It could just be winter allergies, which means you can easily tackle the problem and get those irritating symptoms under control. Seasonal allergies around this time of year are very commonly mistaken for other illnesses.
Why?
Because most people don’t consider allergies the cause of their cold-like symptoms in the winter, because the cause of most respiratory allergies — pollen — is usually not floating about in cold.
How it works:
More time spent indoors during winter exposes people to allergens that cause many of the same symptoms as a cold. Dust, mold and pet dander in the air may trigger an allergic reaction. The confusing part is telling the difference between these very similar symptoms, because your immune system mistakenly identifies the allergen as harmful to your body and tries to fight it off.
Differences between cold and allergy symptoms:
| Symptom | Winter Allergy | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | NO | YES |
| Itchy Eyes | YES | NO |
| Yellow/green Discharge | NO | YES |
| Runny Nose (thin and colorless) | YES | NO |
| Rash | YES | NO |
| Nausea | YES | YES |
| Last more than a week | YES | NO |
| Body Ache | NO | YES |
So is it a cold or winter or allergies?
If you find you have a cold, over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers will be your best bet. If you have allergies you might want to try an over-the-counter antihistamine but only if you know your allergen trigger. Whatever you do, don’t take antibiotics as they work against bacteria, and bacteria do not cause colds or allergies.
Another way to combat indoor allergens is to reduce them at the source. So that means you need to start your ‘spring cleaning’ a little early. Who’s excited?!
Tips for reducing indoor allergens:
- Clean the carpet – Your carpet and rugs can trap large amounts of in allergens within the fibers
- Keep humidity levels low – By using a dehumidifier
- Use allergen proof bedding covers – Make sure to wash all bedding a couch covers weekly
- Use a HEPA vacuum – HEPA vacuums suck up smaller particles leaving you with fewer allergens
- Find pets a new home – In the case of animal dander allergies, consider removing a pet from the home or keeping the pet outdoors. And keep pets out of the bedroom
- Rid the house of cockroaches – their bodies leave behind allergens
- Remove visible mold with a bleach solution
- Consider an air purifier
Keeping your indoor allergens under control in the winter months will make life more comfortable for anyone who’s allergic to them. As an added plus you will have a very clean house! 2 Birds 1 stone.
If you suffer from seasonal or winter allergies your local Coastal Urgent Care can accurately identify what is causing your symptoms, and help relieve and alleviate those symptoms.
There are many treatment plans for allergies that can range from the use of prescription allergy medication to even corticosteroid injections (if all of the allergen reduction tips can’t cut it).
Our doctors and providers at Coastal Urgent Care can help create a treatment plan to relieve and alleviate your allergy symptoms today!