All Allergies » Diagnose Allergies http://www.all-allergies.com All Allergies Guide to Allergy Relief Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:16:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Cold or Allergy? http://www.all-allergies.com/cold-or-allergy/ http://www.all-allergies.com/cold-or-allergy/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:48:28 +0000 Administrator http://www.all-allergies.com/?p=78 Is it a Cold or an Allergy?

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell. There is no good way to tell the difference between allergy symptoms of runny nose, coughing, and sneezing and cold symptoms. However, there are some distinctions. Allergy symptoms may last longer than cold symptoms. Anyone who has a respiratory illness that lasts longer than a week should consult a health care provider. Use this handy chart to help differentiate a cold from allergies.

Symptoms Cold Airborne Allergy
Cough Common Sometimes
General Aches, Pains Slight Never
Fatigue, Weakness Sometimes Sometimes
Itchy Eyes Rare or Never Common
Sneezing Usual Usual
Sore Throat Common Common
Runny Nose Common Common
Stuffy Nose Common Common
Fever Rare Never
Duration 3 to 14 Days Weeks (for example, 6 weeks for ragweed or pollen seasons
Treatment Antihistamines/Decongestants Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatrory medicines Antihistamines/Nasal Steroids Decongestants
Prevention
  • Wash your hands often
  • Avoid contact with anyone with a cold
  • Avoid those things that you are allergic to like pollen, house dust mites, mold, pet dander, cockroaches, etc.
Complications
  • Sinus Infection
  • Middle Ear Infection
  • Asthma
  • Sinus Infection
  • Asthma
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Allergy Symptoms:

An allergic reaction may occur anywhere in the body, but usually it appears in the skin, eyes, nose, sinuses, lungs, stomach lining, and throat. These are the places where the IgE’s, the special warrior immune system cells, are stationed to fight off the invaders that have recently been inhaled, swallowed or have come into contact with the skin. In addition, the part of the body that comes into contact with the allergen plays a role in the symptoms you develop and where the symptoms manifest.  For example, if the allergen is in the air (pollen, dust mites) and it is inhaled, the allergic reaction will likely occur in the nose in the form of stuffy or runny nose, in the throat in the form of itchy throat and mucus production and/or in the lungs in the form of wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. If the air allergen is rubbed into your eyes, the allergic reaction will likely occur in the eye, in the form of itchy, red eyes. If the allergen is ingested (peanuts or shellfish), the allergic reaction often occurs in the mouth or stomach in the form of abdominal pain, cramps, or diarrhea, and/or intestines. Sometimes, if anaphylaxis occurs, enough chemicals, including histamine, are released from the mast cells to cause a reaction throughout the whole body, such as hives or decreased blood pressure. In more severe cases, the body’s reaction may be shock (anaphylactic shock) or even loss of consciousness.

Generally, possible allergy symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal Cramps
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Breathing Problems
  • Chest Tightness
  • Choking
  • Choking Sensation
  • Conjunctivitis (red, swollen eyes)
  • Cough
  • Coughing Up Phlegm
  • Coughing Up Yellow Sputum
  • Diarrhea
  • Eye Redness
  • Ear fullness and popping
  • Headache
  • Hives
  • Irritation Of Nose
  • Itching
  • Itching Of Eyes
  • Mental Confusion
  • Mouth Irritation
  • Nausea
  • Pain
  • Pressure in the nose and cheeks
  • Rashes on Skin
  • Runny Nose
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Stuffy Nose
  • Swelling
  • Swelling Around The Eyes
  • Throat Irritation
  • Vomiting
  • Watering Eyes
  • Wheezing
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