With allergy season here, many people anticipate dealing with the side effects. However, symptoms are often shared among other illnesses, and it’s important to properly assess and treat the issue. To help, the MRI professionals at Main Street Radiology in Bayside and Flushing, NY, explain how to distinguish between a cold and allergies.

Symptoms

Allergies and colds share several symptoms, like a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing, but there are a few telltale signs that set them apart. With allergies, side effects mostly occur in the eyes or throat, such as itchiness. With colds, however, it’s common to have a fever and feel overall bodily weakness. If you find it difficult to determine which you have, see a health care professional as soon as possible.

Diagnosis

The onset of symptoms most notably distinguishes which you’re dealing with. Allergies tend to happen immediately and are usually seasonal. With colds, side effects come on gradually over a day or two before fully setting in. When visiting a physician or health care professional at a clinic or MRI center, they’ll pay attention to the extent of your symptoms, as well as how long they last, as allergies tend to stop as soon as exposure to the allergen ends compared to colds that taper off slowly.

Treatment

The cold still has no cure and can only be managed; some medications can be used to reduce side effects, and it’s best to get rest and stay hydrated. Allergies can be treated with antihistamines, but it depends on which you’re suffering from, so speak with a health care professional. Prevention is also key to reducing future flare-ups.

If you’re dealing with any illnesses, turn to the MRI center staff at Main Street Radiology. Serving the community for nearly 50 years, their trained staff provides advanced quality care by a compassionate team. They offer CT scanning for chronic sinuses and MRIs for sinuses if the situation is severe. Call (718) 428-1500 today to schedule an appointment and visit their website and Facebook page to learn more about them and how the center can assist.