There Are Too Many Myths
When it comes to knowing if you have a cold, respiratory illness, or allergies many people are often misled by the many myths surrounding these ailments. One of these myths is that people cannot suffer from allergies during the winter season.
This is not true. Just like colds and other respiratory illnesses, you can suffer an allergy attack during the cold months. When winter comes, allergy sufferers spend far more time indoors exposing themselves to indoor allergy triggers they would not be exposed to if they went outdoors more.
Diagnosing whether you have a cold, respiratory illness or an allergy attack should be left to London’s respiratory consultant because the symptoms of these ailments are very similar.
The difference between colds and allergy attacks
One of the key differences between cold and allergy, respiratory consultants want you to know is the source of these medical issues.
Colds and respiratory ailments appear when a person contracts a virus.
However, an allergy attack’s source is the variety of allergy triggers found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Viruses do not create allergies and respiratory ailments but allergies can weaken the immune system in key areas that open the door for viruses to come in and originate a cold or other respiratory illnesses.
In some cases, it is permissible to treat either ailment with over-the-counter medicines but they only relieve some of the symptoms. It is best to schedule an appointment with your lung consultant in London to be prescribed the right medication that will treat the whole illness.
The Clues That Make The Difference
If you are not sure if you have a cold, respiratory illness, or an allergy attack, there are some clues that will inform you which illness you have contracted.
There are basic signs to watch out for:
1. Colds
- Fever- sometimes
- Itchy eyes- rarely
- Sore throat- usually
- Sneezing- usually
- Fatigue- sometimes
- Runny nose- usually
- Stuffed nose- usually
- Cough– usually
2. Allergies
- Fever- unsual
- Itchy eyes- usually
- Sore throat- rarely
- Sneezing- usually
- Fatigue- sometimes
- Runny nose- usually
- Stuffed nose- usually
- Coughing- sometimes
As you can see, there are many symptoms similar to a cold and allergies. Not everyone can make the determination of which illness one has contracted. That is why when you have difficulty breathing and suffer from some of these symptoms, you should see your respiratory medicine specialists as soon as possible.
Getting the right medicine as quickly as possible helps deter the illness and should keep it from becoming worse. Time is of the essence.
The Duration Of A Cold And Allergies
Different respiratory ailments have different time frames.
For example, a cold usually lasts between 7 and 10 days depending on the person enduring the cold. Over-the-counter medications help make that time easier to endure.
On the other hand, allergies will remain for a very long time if nothing is done about the triggers inside the home. Some of the common indoor triggers include pet dander, cockroaches, dust mites, dust, and mould spores.
To make allergy season shorter or avoid it all together there are activities you need to regularly practice. These activities include:
- Create a mould-free home- Usually, bleach will achieve this objective
- Always vacuum- Set up a regular vacuuming schedule to remove dust, pet dander, and other allergy triggers
- Sleep in clean bedding- Wash those sheets, pillows, pillowcases, and other bedding to eliminate dust mites and other allergy triggers living in your bedding
- Switch to hypoallergenic bedding- This option helps reduce exposure to dust mites. Also, let your bedding air out in the morning to reduce moisture that attracts bacteria and dust mites
- Wash your pets- Keep your beloved pets on a regular bath schedule as well as restrict where they can lie down. Keeping pets off furniture and beds reduces one allergy trigger significantly
- Use an air purifier- These little appliances remove any allergy triggers from the air reducing the chance of triggering an indoor and winter allergy attack
- Kill the bugs- Once you find cockroaches and other bugs making a home in your home, eliminate them as quickly as possible
Myths About Colds And Winter Allergies
1. Fevers are always present when you contract a cold
This is an old wives tale as not all colds come with a fever. People suffer from a cold without ever registering a fever.
2. Winters are allergy-free seasons
One may think so due to the fact that pollen is not usually present in the air during the winter season but this statement is not true. Since people spend more time indoors during the winter season, they are exposed to those indoor allergy triggers that are present.
At least 99% of all homes have at least one allergy trigger in their homes year-round. It is important to take the steps above to reduce this exposure.
3. Cold weather causes colds
Colds are caused by viruses and the cold weather facilitates exposure to those germs by keeping people indoors longer.
Talk To London’s Respiratory Consultant
If you are not sure if you have a cold or an allergy, schedule an appointment with your local respiratory consultant or contact our office right away. We will give you the facts about allergies and respiratory illnesses so you do not suffer through a long hard winter. On top of that, we will prescribe effective medication to relieve those symptoms.