Many people have allergies to various things in our environment, but sometimes think their symptoms are from a cold. Since allergy symptoms can be similar to a cold, it is important to know the difference between the two so that a person can know how to treat each symptom.
A good definition for allergies is your body’s over-reaction to common things in our environment called allergens. Allergens can be a number of things. It can be a pollen, a mold, certain foods, or dust. Although there is no cure for allergies, they can usually be controlled and treated.
How do we know the difference between a cold and an allergy? For those who have had many bouts with allergies in their life time, they will be aware of the differences. If you have a difficult time not knowing the difference between the two, here are some examples that can help you: If you have a cold, you may have a fever. There is no fever present if you have an allergy. You may have aches and pain with a cold, whereas there is no pain with allergies. The following are some symptoms from allergies: You may have a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and wheezing. Although this can be the same symptoms for a cold, but if you know what you are allergic to, you will know it’s not a cold. Symptoms begin almost immediately after exposure to allergens. Symptoms last as long as you are exposed to the allergen. If the allergen is present year-round, symptoms may be chronic.
If you feel that you have allergies but are not quite sure of all the things you are allergic to, you should go to an allergist to find out what they are. You may be allergic to certain foods and not be aware of it until you take a test for the various foods. Not all people are allergic to the same type of food. For example, some people may be allergic to sea food or chocolate, while others may be allergic to honey dew melon and citrus fruits. It may take some people a long time to find out about their specific allergies until they keep getting the same symptoms from these foods. Most of the times people will know what they are allergic to by experiencing constant discomfort with certain foods. Some people are allergic to cats. They can be allergic to what’s known as dander that is produced on the fur of a cat. Dogs don’t seem to produce dander so therefore you don’t find people allergic to their dogs. If you are not quite certain as to what you are allergic to, it’s best to see an allergist or other types of health care professionals or a pharmacist. They will be able to diagnose your allergies and make lifestyle changes to reduce the allergens that surround you. Resource: American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
