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Allergy or cold: Different triggers
A cold is often perceived as annoying. Because in addition to a runny nose, there is also restricted nasal breathing due to the swollen mucous membranes. These symptoms appear both with allergies and with a cold (flu-like infection), but the cause is different depending on the illness:
A cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract . Viruses colonize the nasal mucosa, which becomes inflamed and produces more secretions. Typical cold symptoms such as sneezing, exhaustion and a scratchy throat can then occur in varying degrees of severity. An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a specific substance . In the case of hay fever, for example, it is the pollen from trees, bushes, cereals or grasses. As soon as the body comes into contact with these substances, it mobilizes its defenses and symptoms such as swollen mucous membranes and itching can be the result.
Cold or allergy: a comparison of symptoms and course of the disease
The course of the disease can also be used to distinguish whether an emerging cold is a cold or an allergy. A common cold usually begins with a tingling in the nose. Soon after, a watery runny nose sets in, combined with a scratchy throat. Difficulty swallowing can also occur. In the later course, the nasal secretion becomes tougher and gives the affected person the feeling of a blocked nose.
With an allergy, a severe cold often occurs very suddenly. Hay fever sufferers also complain of violent sneezing attacks. The mucous membranes are swollen or reddened. Some have a stuffy nose. Other typical symptoms of an allergy are:
- Itching in the throat or ears
- watery, red or swollen eyes
- fatigue
- sleep disorders
- headache
- Hautauschläge
- to cough
In severe cases, the cough can be very persistent and lead to asthma. At the first sign of coughing fits with shortness of breath, a doctor should be consulted.
How do I know if I have hay fever or a cold?
If your nose runs, external circumstances can also give an indication of whether a cold is imminent or you are suffering from hay fever. Season and weather are important clues . Since pollen is in the air, especially in spring, hay fever occurs more frequently at this time. When it rains, the amount of pollen decreases and with it the symptoms. Infection with cold viruses is most common in winter. Of course, a cold-related sniffle can also develop in spring and summer, but unlike an allergic reaction, it usually does not last for weeks. In any case, it is advisable to carry out an allergy test for a precise determination.
