If you begin to get a runny nose and chest congestion during fall, it can be difficult to tell if it’s seasonal allergies or just a common cold. Knowing the difference will ensure you take care of yourself and know what remedies will help and how doctors can assist you. Below is a guide giving more information on the differences between allergies and the common cold.

Seasonal Allergies

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to outside stimuli, like ragweed pollen, perceiving it as a threat. Your allergies can change throughout your life, so even if you haven’t been troubled by allergy symptoms in fall before, it doesn’t mean that’s not the cause now. Symptoms of allergies include coughing, sneezing, wheezing, itchy and watery eyes, and skin irritation.

You may also experience headaches caused by sinus pressure. Your symptoms will likely worsen after you go outside or have a window open, and they’ll be persistent throughout the season, though the severity may ebb and flow with the pollen count. 

The goal of holistic allergy treatment is to both relieve symptoms and to treat the underlying cause so that there is long-term symptom relief.  Medications do not offer long-term relief.  Find a holistic allergist who performs painless allergy testing to determine specifically what is causing your reaction and can treat it painlessly without needles, pills, or avoidance.  Of course, lifestyle factors—such as healthier eating and proper exercise—will also help support your immune system and make managing your allergies easier. 

Cold

A cold, unlike allergies, is caused by a viral infection that you’ve contracted. Colds also cause coughing, sneezing, headaches, and a runny nose, but these symptoms are accompanied by a sore throat, mild fever, body aches, and fatigue. The symptoms generally only last a week to a week and a half, but colds can lead to other conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis in people with respiratory conditions. 

When you have a cold, you’ll want to manage the symptoms while waiting for it to pass. Hot drinks may soothe sore throats and aid in decongestion, and you should take it easy for a few days by relaxing in bed or on the couch, so you don’t strain yourself. If your illness persists for longer than 10 days, goes away and then comes back, or causes you to struggle while breathing, you should consult your physician.

If you’re sure your symptoms are caused by seasonal allergies, St. Louis Allergy Relief Center in Chesterfield, MO, can help you find relief. With over 15 years of experience, their physician will provide you allergy relief through gentle, holistic services. They’ll perform allergy testing to discover what you’re allergic to, then provide natural treatments to make you symptom-free. Learn more about their approach online, and call (314) 384-9304 for an appointment today.