Here in the northern hemisphere, we’re very much aware of autumn setting in.
The mornings just a little darker. The air just a little crisper. Leaves are browning and falling. Sweaters, sweaters, and more sweaters adorn the the racks in the stores.
With this seasonal change comes an increased likelihood of colds and flus.
And so you say to yourself, “I think I have a cold. No, wait. Maybe it’s allergies. No wait. Maybe it’s a cold.”
Sound familiar?
You’ve got symptoms. A runny nose, mucus is dribbling all over your face, you’re sneezing, coughing, and generally feeling blah. You probably picked up the bug your child brought home from school. Or did you? Maybe there is something in your environment that is causing allergies.
It can often be tricky to discern which you’re suffering from.
Here is a guide to tell the difference between allergies and colds:
Allergies:
Definition: These immune reactions happen when your system over reacts to things you’ve inhaled or touched (the allergen). Specific immune cells release histamine which causes the symptoms.
Duration: Allergies can last as long as you are exposed to the allergen. This could be months, depending on the season.
Onset: Symptoms typically begin immediately after exposure to the allergen.
Symptoms:
Often – runny or stuffy nose; itchy, watery eyes;
Sometimes – cough, fatigue, sore throat;
Rare – aches, fever.
How to test: I offer a skin scratch test at the clinic to determine what allergens your system is reacting to. I test for grasses, weeds, trees, ragweeds, dust, dog, cat, and molds. I demonstrate this test in this news clip on CTV Island News (1:07). If you’re not local to Nanaimo, check with your resident naturoptahic doctor to see if they do this testing.
How to treat: After the skin scratch test may patients take remedies that go under the tongue which train the immune system that the allergen is not actually a threat. These are like getting allergy shots but without the shots! Symptoms are far less severe and eventually your body doesn’t react at all. I also wrote this article on treating seasonal allergies.
Colds:
Definition: These infections are typically caused by viruses that you catch from close contact with people that are infected. They symptoms you experience are a result of the immune system trying to kill and eliminate the bug.
Duration: Typically these last 3-14 days, usually in the winter.
Onset: Symptoms take a few days to appear after infection.
Symptoms:
Often – cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
Sometimes – aches, fatigue, fever;
Rare – itchy, watery eyes.
How to test: This is commonly done via symptoms. But you can always do the skin scratch test mentioned above to rule out allergies.
How to treat: Prevention is best, and I share some kick-ass strategies in this article. But if you do get sick: Rest. Fluids. Vitamin C. Vitamin D. Rest. Did I mention that?
Now that we know all this go forth and be healthy!
To your healthy, thriving delightful fall (and life!),
