I thought it was a cold, but it was actually a respiratory allergy! Can you tell the difference between these symptoms?

The weather has been really bad lately.

Single digit temperature outside the house

I am hit in the face by cold air every day.

I started hearing more and more

"Cough cough cough"

"A-choo"

These symptoms appear

Mostly a cold

But also pay attention

Some people actually have respiratory allergies!

Symptoms of mild respiratory allergies usually include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and sore throat . Some less typical symptoms may also appear, such as inexplicably dry nasal cavity and painful breathing.

In addition, asthma is also a common disease caused by respiratory allergies.

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I believe everyone has discovered that, except for asthma, the symptoms of respiratory allergies are really not much different from those of a cold. So how do we distinguish between the two?

After all, colds and allergies are two different things, and the treatment methods are also different.

You can look at it this way:

Look at the duration of symptoms : colds have a complete cycle with obvious time limits, and usually it only takes a few days from the onset of symptoms to self-healing; respiratory allergies are either paroxysmal, and patients may have an attack when they are in an allergic environment, but they can completely return to normal when they are away from the allergens, and usually only last for a few hours, or they last for a very long time, up to 2-3 months, which is a season, and the symptoms disappear after this season.

Look at the location of the symptoms : Colds are mainly characterized by respiratory symptoms, while allergic symptoms may appear in addition to the respiratory tract as well as other parts of the body, such as itchy, red and swollen skin, or tearful, dry and itchy eyes, etc.

To summarize, if symptoms appear and go away soon, or last for a season , or occur in the same season every year, it is an allergy; if symptoms appear for a few days and then go away, it is most likely a cold.

Why are respiratory allergies more common in autumn and winter? Just look at the complex environment at this time.

Outside, the cold air is blowing , and dust and air quality are also affecting;

Indoors, factors such as air conditioning, humidifiers, improper carpet cleaning, or pet hair loss can allow dust, bacteria, and fluff to enter the air and be inhaled into our respiratory tract.

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The lower temperatures and drier humidity in autumn and winter make it easier for viruses and bacteria to grow. When we go to crowded places, we are more likely to be infected.

In addition, our human body is more fragile in winter. Inhaling cold air can easily irritate the respiratory tract and reduce our respiratory immunity , making the body more susceptible to irritation.

We can try to stay away from some common allergens, such as:

PM2.5, pet hair, flowers, feathers, etc., and regularly clean household items such as air conditioners, humidifiers, carpets, curtains, etc.

In fact, it is not recommended to use items such as carpets in homes of people with allergies, as they are prone to harboring dirt and breeding bacteria.

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But please note that avoiding these factors does not mean you will not have allergies.

The causes and mechanisms of allergies in adults are very complex and may be related to one's own immunity, environment, stress , etc. Not only are they difficult to find, but once they are found, they may be difficult to prevent.

Some people even experience allergy symptoms when they wake up. After searching for a long time, they find out that it is caused by the down quilt or duck down quilt they are covering themselves with.

For people who are prone to allergies, they can consume more foods rich in vitamin C, such as apples, carrots, etc., and insist on exercising to enhance our own resistance.

Note: It is not necessary to take a large amount of effervescent tablets or vitamin C tablets to specifically supplement vitamin C.

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However, diet and exercise alone cannot cure allergies. If the allergy is severe, you must seek medical help.

Allergic symptoms are relatively mild and short-lived, and can be treated with medication as needed, such as Claritin, loratadine, montelukast sodium, etc .; patients with allergic asthma must always have drugs such as Ventolin on hand.

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Of course, it is best to take medication under the guidance of a doctor, and be sure to read the contraindications of the medication.

If the allergy symptoms are too severe, don't evaluate yourself at home, go to the hospital immediately!

In short, when winter respiratory allergies come knocking on our door, we can only take care of ourselves, try to find the allergens and stay away from them. If we can't find them, we can evaluate the symptoms and seek medical attention in time if the condition is serious.

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

Experts who reviewed this article

References

[1] Yang Yongshi, Sun Jinlu. Air pollution aggravates respiratory allergic diseases[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, 2022, 16(04): 432-434.

[2] Wei Xue, Qian Xiaojun, Qiu Yu, et al. Diagnostic value of inhaled allergen screening test for respiratory allergic diseases[J]. Journal of Clinical Pulmonology, 2018, 23(05): 832-836.

[3] Wei Xue, Qian Xiaojun, Qiu Yu, et al. Diagnostic value of inhaled allergen screening test for respiratory allergic diseases[J]. Journal of Clinical Pulmonology, 2018, 23(05): 832-836.

Content Production

Editor: Zhang Fuyao

Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty