Stuffy and runny noses come for us all.
Fortunately with the help of a doctor you might figure out whats causing your symptoms.
Ahead, the experts share how they go about diagnosing patients with these everyday illnesses.
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What are some of the symptoms of both allergies and colds?
Someone with allergies may also have asthma-like symptoms, like coughing.
Cold symptoms can be similar, including a congested and runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
To add to the confusion, many peoplefeel run downand sick when they have allergies.
Quick onset of symptoms with environmental exposures, such as pets or pollen, are characteristic of allergies.
Pollen, meanwhile, can cause symptoms throughout the season.
However, she says, there are also year-round allergies, like dust mites.
How can you tell if you have a cold?
Parikh also cites headaches, fatigue, and body aches as more typical cold symptoms.
Allergies, meanwhile, might leave you feeling itchy.
[With] allergies, you do not cough up any mucus or sputum.
Another way to tell if you have a cold: Your symptoms dont improve with antihistamines.
People usually get more relief from allergies with allergy medicines, says Strauss.
Rest and fluids are also important.
How are allergies diagnosed?
A persons response to allergy medications is one way to tell you thats likely the problem.
We cannot appropriately diagnose allergies or many other conditions in the absence of history, he says.
Next up is the physical examination.
In the case of a cold, she says the nasal turbinates are usually red and swollen.
How are allergies treated?
The primary treatment for allergies is over-the-counter antihistamines, according to Dr. Connors.
Sometimes, she also recommends nasal steroid sprays to treat congestion and nasal inflammation.
Typically, steroid-based nasal sprays dont cause this rebound effect.
We know that allergies have a significant impact on peoples quality of life, she says.
I commonly hear from patients that they didnt realize how much better they could have been feeling all along.
