Your Relief Blog

It sometimes can be difficult to determine whether you have a cold or an allergy because many of the symptoms are so similar. However, with a cold your symptoms and discomfort will usually go away within seven to ten days. But when symptoms continue to linger, it could be a pretty sure bet that you have some type of allergy. And when that happens, it might be time to see an allergist.

Along with the cooler weather comes the flu season. If you suffer from allergies and/or asthma, you could be at a higher risk for catching influenza. Having the flu is bad enough, but it can cause your asthma to flare.

Reducing Your Chance of Catching the Flu

It is very easy to catch influenza during the fall and winter months because everyone spends more time indoors. Once someone in your home or workplace catches the flu, it can quickly spread to everyone around them. This can happen with colds and other types of viruses, which can also cause your asthma to flare.

Fall Allergies to Watch For

For some people, the arrival of fall means relief from most of seasonal allergy symptoms they had during the spring and summer. In the fall, grass goes dormant and stops producing pollen and weed allergens in the air begin to also wind down. Depending on the weather conditions through the fall, these allergens sometimes linger on until the first hard freeze occurs toward the end of fall. Mold spores that peaked during the summer may also hang around until the first snow.

Is It Allergies or Do I Have a Cold?

Symptoms from colds or allergies are often so much alike that it might be difficult for you to determine which one you are suffering from. While a cold is caused by a virus, a seasonal allergy is an immune system response triggered from exposure to allergens. Both might cause runny or stuffy noses, and sneezing, but there are some differences in how each present themselves. Understanding the differences between the two, can help you seek relief from your allergy symptoms instead of brushing them off as just another cold.

What can you do to take control of your allergies, instead of letting them control you?

Allergy self help is where you begin taking control. Simple steps can decrease your allergy symptoms and make day-to-day life easier. There are two parts to consider: decreasing exposure to the allergens and using over-the-counter (otc) treatments to control symptoms.

You can’t seem to stop sneezing. Your nose is runny. Your eyes are watering. You may be thinking, “Do I have allergies?”

With those symptoms, it can be difficult to know if you are dealing with allergies, sinus issues, or a cold. Fortunately, there are some differences that can help you figure out what condition you are really dealing with. Answer these questions to determine if you have an allergy or not:

Allergies can make day-to-day living miserable. With coughing, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes, just getting through the day can be a trial. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Three steps can make it possible to relieve allergies.

Taking It a Step at a Time

What are these three steps you can take to alleviate your allergy suffering?