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Allergies or a Cold? How to Know the Difference.
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Are spring allergies getting you down, or is it something more?
You check the weather app on your phone and smile. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day — sunny with a slight breeze. You love this time of year, when the winter months make way for spring. You grab a light sweater and a water bottle and head out for a walk. This is such a nice change from being stuck inside! Back at home you survey your backyard and tend to some unruly weeds. It has been a great day. But then…
Aaaah-Chooo!
This is followed by a slew of additional sneezes and slight headache. Uh-oh. Has being inside with young children in school finally caught up with you or is it just seasonal allergies? After all, it is officially that time of year.
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, begin in February and continue through early summer. Initially triggered by tree pollination and followed by grass pollination, allergies can also be caused by mold spores and dust mites. Aside from making you feel not so hot, these factors may also negatively impact your sleep and productivity.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself from the effects of seasonal allergies.
Four tips to help manage allergies:
Be smart when you go outside
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- If you garden, avoid touching your face, especially your eyes.
- Wear a mask or goggles when mowing the lawn or blowing weeds.
Practice good hygiene
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Rinse your eyes with saline drops after being outdoors.
- Shower, wash your hair, and change clothes after spending time outside.
Create an allergy-friendly home
- Use an air conditioner to filter pollen from the air in your home.
- Invest in an air purifier to reduce indoor allergens.
- Wash bedding and curtains regularly to remove trapped pollen.
- Try over-the-counter medications.
- Perform saline rinses to clear pollen from your nasal passages.
- Use antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids to manage your symptoms.
How to tell the difference between allergies and a cold:
It can be tricky to tell the difference between allergies and a cold as they share many of the same symptoms. However, while colds are contagious, allergies are not. Typically, neither are treated with antibiotics. Here are some ways you can determine whether you have allergies or a cold.
| Allergies | Colds |
|---|---|
| Cause: • Exposure to airborne allergens | Cause: • Caused by viruses |
| Symptoms: • Flare-ups after a trigger to allergen • Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, post-nasal drip, congestion and/or clear watery mucus | Symptoms: • Develops gradually • Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, body aches, fever and/or clear, thick green mucus |
| Duration: • Typically, several weeks: early spring to late fall | Duration: • Usually lasts 3–10 days, but a cough may last longer |
| Treatment: • Avoidance of allergens • Antihistamines (oral, nasal spray or eye drops) | Treatment: • Rest, fluids, pain relievers, nasal rinses or sprays |
Suffering from allergies, a cold or something else? Get expert help virtually.
If you’re an HPN member, you can use NowClinic® virtual visits. Through 24/7 NowClinic® virtual visits you can quickly see a provider online for common conditions including allergies, colds, sinus infections, sprains and more. If needed, they can even send a prescription directly to the pharmacy of your choice.
If your symptoms persist, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
Are you an HPN member and need help finding a provider? Use our online directory or call Member Services at the number on the back of your health plan ID card.
