When temperatures drop in North Texas and the seasons change, it’s not uncommon for residents to experience sneezing, a tickle in their throats and a cough. This leads many people to wonder if these are symptoms of an environmental allergy or the common cold. With many similarities between the two, it’s important to know how to identify them to get the proper treatment.
How Can I Tell Environmental Allergies From a Cold?
Cases of the common cold increase from October through February during cold and flu season. Being able to effectively distinguish between environmental allergies and a cold makes all the difference in how long you deal with the effects of illness. Here are some ways to identify them and get help to feel better as soon as possible.
Environmental Allergy and Cold Symptom Differences
While the overlapping symptom profiles can make differentiation difficult, it’s not impossible. One of the biggest differences is the presence of fever. Allergies do not cause fever, so if over the course of a few days you feel fatigued and begin to run a fever, it’s more likely that your body is dealing with a cold. Add to that a cough and a sore throat that begins to feel better within a 10-day period, and you’re looking at a cold.
Because a cold is caused by a virus, it typically resolves on its own with rest and fluids within two weeks. A doctor may suggest pain relievers for body aches or persistent fever, but rest is best. However, when symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes are accompanied by wheezing and breathing issues that occur on a somewhat regular schedule, you may be dealing with environmental allergies. You’ll need to visit a board-certified allergist for specialized treatment.
Allergy Testing and Treatment for Environmental Allergy
If your symptoms do not clear up or you’ve realized an exposure pattern, you’ll be happy to know that many allergy treatment centers offer treatment protocols to help you identify and overcome your allergies. As you may know, there are various types of allergies that are your immune system’s overactive response to certain substances. Environmental allergens include pet dander, dust mites, insect bites, mold, pollen and even ozone.
A local allergist works with you to identify your specific allergens through allergy testing. Blood tests or skin-prick tests are often used to help determine environmental allergies. Results from the latter are usually available within 20–25 minutes. This means you can be on your way to treatment quickly.
Treatment for Environmental Allergies
Treatment options include medications, allergy shots (injections known as SCIT – subcutaneous immunotherapy), and allergy drops (called sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT). SCIT and SLIT expose you to your allergen in increasing amounts over time until you are desensitized. Your allergist will work with you to determine the best treatment for your situation. Be sure to take care of yourself and get the help you need when symptoms flare.
Get Relief From Your North Texas Environmental Allergies
Adults and children find compassionate care and thorough testing for environmental allergies and asthma at TexasAllergyMD. Whether you visit Dr. Mireku at our allergy treatment center in McKinney/Prosper or Southlake, you will receive a personalized care plan to help you find relief. Call us today at (469) 375-1525 or request an appointment.
