Allergy – Allergy Health Issues News & Articles by HealthTree

Photo Credit: It’sGreg

For the longest time my parents, teachers, family, and I all thought I was just sickly. I seemed to get sick regularly with the sniffles and a cough. It wasn’t until I was an adult that we realized this semi-regular occurrence was actually caused by seasonal allergies. Unfortunately for me, I’m allergic to something year round so my ‘colds’ were a perpetual problem.

The confusing part is that most of the symptoms for the two ailments are very much alike. Fatigue, sneezing, and a stuffy or runny nose are all common for both:

Cold Symptoms

• Aches and pains -occasionally
• Cough
• Fatigue – occasionally
• Fever -occasionally
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose

Allergy Symptoms

• Cough – occasionally
• Fatigue- occasionally
• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat – occasionally
• Stuffy nose

The big difference is that a cold will almost never cause itchy eyes but allergies will. Other than that, the only way to know for sure is to be tested for allergies.

The good thing about finding out you have allergies is that there are steps that can prevent severe reactions. Medications, allergen avoidance, and homeopathic remedies can all be implemented to relieve and prevent symptoms. The bad thing about allergies is that the symptoms often must be managed for life with these measures.

While a cold can’t be prevented, the symptoms can be treated with decongestants, pain relievers, and rest. Further, the duration of a cold is finite and subsequent exposure isn’t guaranteed. Allergy sufferers have to look forward to regular flare-ups, but people will only occasionally be afflicted with a cold virus.

If you aren’t sure which you have, see a doctor. If you notice your general practitioner has diagnosed you with recurrent ‘colds’ you may want to see an allergy specialist. My allergy specialist gave me a new lease on life. I haven’t been ‘sick’ in years because of my allergy medications, I’d be lost without them. Have you had a similar experience? Did your seasonal allergies drive you crazy for years before you found out you had allergies? Share your story!